Morning everyone. Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon could threaten hopes of making the Middle East ceasefire stick, with Iran blocking shipping in the strait of Hormuz in protest. The White House denies the waterway is closed. We have full reports and analysis on another tumultuous night.
Closer to home, we report exclusively on how Labor has set up a razor gang to drive NDIS savings, Timor-Leste’s fears it is prey to organised crime, and the tiny outback town that could be yours for $400,000.
Australia
Running on empty | Amid rise in reports of fuel theft and drive-offs from petrol stations, one trucking boss tells us that it’s a sign that people are getting “desperate”. There might be some price relief ahead but as the Middle East conflict continues, Anthony Albanese appears to have modified his “don’t buy in, don’t bite back” approach to Donald Trump, our chief political correspondent argues.
Exclusive | Labor has quietly established a razor gang to drive budget savings in the national disability insurance scheme, as it works to further rein in costs ahead of next month’s federal budget.
José Ramos-Horta | Timor-Leste is vulnerable to “infiltration by foreign organised crime”, the country’s president has warned after a joint Guardian investigation revealed an alleged connection between three individuals involved with a proposed “blockchain theme” resort project in Dili and the Prince Group, which was sanctioned by the US and UK governments in October.
Rising temperatures | Extreme heat is already creating “non-survivable” conditions for humans in heatwaves that have killed thousands and likely many more, according to new research.
Trial questions | As Ben Roberts-Smith remains in custody after being charged with five counts of the war crime of murder, our justice and courts reporter looks at how any criminal trial will differ from his long-running defamation case.
World
No ‘mass exodus’ through Hormuz | The fate of the two-week ceasefire in the Iran conflict looks uncertain this morning as both sides gave divergent versions of what had been agreed, Israel killed more than 250 people in attacks on Lebanon and Iran blocked ships from passing through the strait of Hormuz, citing the continued attacks on Lebanon as a breach of the agreement. Earlier, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iran “begged” for the ceasefire, while there are mixed feelings on the streets of Tehran. And in a war with no winners, could the biggest loser be Benjamin Netanyahu? Follow developments live.
Hungary heat | JD Vance has pushed back against claims that the US is interfering in Hungarian politics despite his open backing for Viktor Orbán, as polls suggested the strongman could be ousted in Sunday’s election.
Chile U-turn | Chile’s new far-right government has ripped up a plan for a memorial at a site where victims of the Pinochet regime were tortured, and reversed the expropriation of the land involved.
Gilgo guilt | Rex Heuermann, a Long Island architect accused of seven murders known as the Gilgo Beach killings dating back to 1993, pleaded guilty and added an eighth murder to his gruesome tally.
Failure forecast | Scientists at Oxford have developed a simple AI tool that can predict the risk of heart failure five years before it develops.
Full Story
Will Albanese find fuel security in Singapore?
Political editor Tom McIlroy talks to Reged Ahmad about Albanese’s trip to Singapore – Australia’s biggest fuel supplier – and how it might aid the government in keeping petrol prices under control.
In-depth
Many economists think Australia is heading for recession but Greg Jericho disagrees – at least for now. He points to the relative strength of the labour market and pleads with the reserve bank not to risk a recession by increasing rates too much.
Not the news
Cooladdi, a remote town in the heart of outback Queensland, has its own pub and post office and even its own postcode. But it only has two residents, and now they’re leaving – with the whole place up for sale for $400,000.
Sport
Tennis | Daniil Medvedev smashed his racket several times and placed the remnants in a courtside bin during a humbling 6-0, 6-0 loss to the Italian Matteo Berrettini at the Monte Carlo Masters.
AFL | In his latest From the Pocket column, Jonathan Horn laments the league’s “continual assault on our senses” with its loud music after every goal and pleads for “some space between the notes”.
Football | Follow the action live as PSG host Liverpool and Barcelona take on Atlético in the Champions League quarter-final.
Media roundup
Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila is again heading west towards Queensland after stalling in the Solomon Sea, the ABC reports. About 650 jobs are in limbo after Kwikform, one of Australia’s largest construction companies, went bust, the Herald Sun reports. And the Sydney Morning Herald hails a mechanical innovation which it says will speed up track work on the city’s rail network, but there’s rail chaos in Brisbane, according to the Courier Mail, after the closure of the train system was extended by four days.
What’s happening today
Queensland | Final public hearings for state’s child safety commission of inquiry.
Victoria | Bells Beach pro world surfing event.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
