Morning everyone. Five members of the Iranian women’s football team have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia, with the federal government offering assistance to other players. The economic impact of the Middle East crisis deepens, while bombing continues across the region.
Pauline Hanson accessed a taxpayer-funded rebate scheme to install solar power on her Queensland home despite calling for an end to public subsidies for renewable energy projects, the Nationals plan to launch a suite of family and women-friendly policies, we have a special video report on Fiji’s HIV pandemic, and why Zac Lomax’s code switch is good news for rugby union fans.
Australia
Apostles fee | The Victorian government’s plan to introduce an entrance fee to view the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road has had a mixed reception with some welcoming it as a means to ease traffic congestion. Others fear it could lead to visitors taking risks to see them.
Escape to victory | Five members of the Iranian women’s football team have been granted humanitarian visas, the home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed this morning. The news emerged overnight, via social media comments by Donald Trump after he said he had spoken to Anthony Albanese. Fifa said Iran’s men could be banned from tournaments if they don’t turn up to this year’s World Cup in the US.
Exclusive | Pauline Hanson accessed a taxpayer-funded rebate scheme to install solar power on her Queensland home, despite calling for an end to public subsidies for renewable energy projects.
Exclusive | The Nationals are exploring plans to triple paid parental leave to up to 18 months and introduce income-splitting options for young parents to boost population growth as they attempt to front-run the Coalition’s childcare policy debate.
Super law | Labor’s plan to raise the tax rate on the largest super balances will become law after the Greens agreed to wave it through the Senate. And Labor is facing calls to legislate a four-day work week and for workers’ annual leave entitlements to be expanded.
World
‘Necessary measures’ | The G7 said it was ready to take “necessary measures” to address the economic impact of the US-Israel war on Iran, after a meeting prompted by soaring oil prices and falling stock markets across the world. In the Middle East itself, Iranian missiles were intercepted over Turkey, Qatar and the UAE as Israel resumed the bombing of Tehran and Beirut. And as Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, takes over, our diplomatic editor looks at whether Trump will try to make a deal with him. Follow developments live.
Adams trial | Gerry Adams, former Sinn Féin leader, is as culpable for IRA bombings on the UK mainland as the individuals who planted and detonated the devices, the high court has heard at the beginning of a civil trial.
Fiji ‘epidemic’ | More than 1,200 people in Fiji were diagnosed with HIV in the first six months of 2025, making the island nation’s HIV epidemic the fastest growing in the world, fuelled by its location as a drug-running hub. Watch our special video report.
Turkey trial | A mass trial of 400 people including the jailed mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu, has opened in a sprawling corruption case critics say is a politically motivated attempt to thwart his chances of challenging Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the presidency.
Critique royale | Pulp Fiction star Rosanna Arquette has said she found Quentin Tarantino’s use of the N-word in the film to be “racist and creepy”.
Full Story
Amanda Meade takes us inside the Kyle and Jackie ‘O’ bust-up
Reged Ahmad talks to Amanda Meade about the on-air bust-up that could be the Kyle and Jackie O Show’s final controversy.
In-depth
Resentment of Covid mandates, tax gripes and the rising cost of living have all fuelled miore calls for Western Australia to secede from the federation. Daisy Dumas examines why advocates such as Prof Gigi Foster think it’s a good idea, what they would change, and the mainstream reaction.
Not the news
In this week’s consumer column, Kat George gets to grips with the vexed issue of things not lasting as long as they used to, specifically a pair of walking boots worn out by one of our readers after just six months. Should they expect a refund?
Sport
Rugby union | The Wallabies’ hopes for the home World Cup next year have been boosted by Zac Lomax’s return to the 15-a-side code after he fell out with his NRL club Parramatta Eels.
Formula One | From Mercedes’ flying start to the Aston Martin omnishambles, we look at the five takeaways from the Australian Grand Prix.
Winter Paralympics | The Russian national anthem has been played at the Paralympics for the first time since 2014 as the skier Varvara Voronchikhina claimed gold in the women’s super-G standing.
Media roundup
Panic is gripping the bond markets, according to the Fin Review, making it more likely that the Reserve Bank could raise interest rates again. Hundreds of roads have been closed after a deluge hit southern and central Queensland, the Courier Mail reports. Adelaide is plotting to steal the Cricket World Cup final – due to be staged in Australia in 2028 – from the MCG, the Age reckons. The Telegraph has the big news: Jackie Henderson and Kyle Sandilands are rumoured to be back in contact after their big bust-up.
What’s happening today
Melbourne | A trial is due to start at the supreme court of Victoria in a business class action over the Covid lockdown.
Canberra | Federal parliament is sitting.
Canberra | A public hearing on the legal definition of a terrorist act at 9am at Parliament House.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
