Morning everyone. Our exclusive lead story today reveals how Peter Dutton did not intend to change the Coalition’s commitment to emissions targets but misspoke in a newspaper interview – and decided to stick with that position anyway. We also have news of a huge bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef, the story behind Julian Assange’s release, the antelope migration that has stunned wildlife experts, and why Mona’s new exhibition is annoying.
Australia
Cap cuts | University staff have been threatened with deep job cuts because of the federal government’s proposed international student cap, raising concerns the controversial policy is being weaponised as an “excuse” to slash jobs.
Exclusive | Peter Dutton’s refusal to commit the Coalition to a 2030 emissions reduction target came only after ambiguous comments in a newspaper interview were reported as a shift, Guardian Australia understands. Dutton did not intend to change Coalition policy but then came out swinging, rather than reveal it was inadvertent.
‘Most of it was dead’ | At least 97% of corals on a reef in the north end of the Great Barrier Reef died during one of the worst coral bleaching events the world’s biggest reef system has ever seen, according to new analysis.
Power warning | There is no chance nuclear energy will be online in time to replace retiring coal-fired power plants and any delays in rolling out renewables will probably lead to higher costs, the market operator has warned.
Newington row | The headteacher of the top Sydney school embroiled in a row over becoming co-educational has written to parents and alumni expressing disappointment with a group of people within the school’s community “whose behaviour is inconsistent with our school culture and our values”.
World
Assange court date | Julian Assange arrived in Bangkok overnight (pictured) and has landed in US-controlled Saipan where he is expected to be sentenced on one espionage charge before making his way back to Australia. Here’s the dramatic story of how his plea deal was reached while human rights advocates in the UK said the country’s next government must push the US for reassurance it will not pursue journalists again for publishing classified information.
Draft decision | Israel’s supreme court has ruled that ultra-Orthodox Jewish men must be drafted into military service, a politically explosive decision that threatens the stability of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.
War crimes writ | The international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for Russia’s ex-minister of defence and current army chief of staff for war crimes in Ukraine after a missile campaign against civilian targets.
‘Fluttergate’ deepens | Britain’s Conservative party has finally dropped the two candidates who are under investigation for allegedly placing suspicious bets about the date of the election, while the Met police said five more officers are under investigation for placing bets on the date. Labour has also suspended a candidate.
Slim chance | Medicines that enable dramatic weight loss are set to experience a new boom in uptake, experts have said, as the first generic versions hit the market this week at a lower cost than the original drugs.
Full Story
Julian Assange released from prison
After the release of Julian Assange from a British prison, foreign affairs and defence correspondent Daniel Hurst tells Nour Haydar what led to the breakthrough in the long-running legal case and what happens now.
In-depth
An extensive aerial survey in South Sudan has revealed an enormous migration of 6m antelope – the largest migration of land mammals anywhere on Earth. It is more than double the size of the celebrated annual “great migration” between Tanzania and Kenya, which involves about 2m wildebeest, zebra and gazelle. “Seeing these animals here at such scale is something I could have never fathomed still existed on the planet,” said one wildlife expert.
Not the news
A black 1977 Holden Torana, He Xiangyu’s Tank Project, the mask Heath Ledger wore in Ned Kelly, Beatles signatures, and much more besides. There is a lot of stuff in Namedropping, the big new exhibition at Mona in Hobart, which purports to explore “what status is and why it is useful”. And although there is much to like, our reporter Sian Cain emerged “frustrated and tired” and ultimately concluded that “the whole exhibition feels defensive, laden with the tension that comes just before a fight”.
The world of sport
Euro 2024 | Austria are the surprise winners of group D after beating the Netherlands 3-2 overnight while France’s 1-1 draw with Poland bumped them into the runner-up spot. England made a sluggish start against Slovenia this morning, while Denmark and Serbia face off in Berlin.
State of Origin | Reece Walsh appears reanimated, revived and ready for revenge against New South Wales tonight after being targeted in the opening game, with Queensland one win away from a third consecutive shield.
T20 World Cup | The Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib has been accused of faking an injury to gain advantage during his team’s dramatic rain-affected win over Bangladesh that dumped Australia out of the tournament.
Media roundup
Anthony Albanese has told his MPs to campaign on the cost of living and nothing else as five major measures kick in on 1 July, the Financial Review reports. Waiting lists for elective surgery are set to balloon as health cuts bite, the Age claims. A Brisbane woman with a rare swallowing disorder tells the Courier Mail she was “humiliated” after being asked to downgrade from business to economy class on a flight to Cairns.
What’s happening today
Canberra | A campaign for a “positive right” for faith-based schools launches with a delivery of postcards to Anthony Albanese in the Senate courtyard.
Economy | Inflation figures will be released at 11.30am, plus Christopher Kent, the RBA assistant governor, is speaking at the Australian Banking Association conference in Melbourne.
Foreign policy | Penny Wong will speak at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia’s state of the nation conference dinner in Canberra.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
