Morning, everyone. Nowhere is the legacy of George Pell more controversial and complex than in Ballarat, his hometown but also the place in Australia most associated with historic child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. That’s where we begin our reporting today, while in Rome Pope Francis has paid tribute to the country’s most senior Catholic.
Also today, read how two of the country’s richest men fell out over a solar farm, and listen to five stories about that most Australian of pastimes, being at the beach.
Australia
PNG ‘family’ | Anthony Albanese is hoping to seal the basis of a new security treaty during meetings with Papua New Guinea’s leader, James Marape, today and will also become the first foreign government leader to address PNG’s parliament.
Death of George Pell | Pope Francis has praised the “determination and wisdom” of George Pell as St Patrick’s Cathedral in Ballarat prepares to hold a mass today for the late cardinal. But there are concerns it could awaken dark memories for child abuse survivors. We also look again at the findings of the royal commission into the historic sexual abuse claims.
Solar stoush | Two of Australia’s richest men, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest, have fallen out over plans to build a giant solar farm to supply Darwin, Indonesia and Singapore with power, with the venture entering voluntary administration.
Testing time | The self-regulating pesticide testing Australia relies on to detect chemicals in fresh fruit and vegetables sold domestically picked up far fewer breaches than a 2013 study shelved by the then Coalition government.
‘Absolutely buggered’ | A paddleboarding couple have survived three days adrift off the Queensland coast and said they were “absolutely buggered” after a chance rescue by a passing yacht.
World
Brazil on edge | Security has been stepped up in Brazil’s capital amid concerns that hardcore supporters of the former president Jair Bolsonaro are planning to mobilise again, three days after they launched an attack on the presidential palace. Check out our video report on the failed coup.
War leader | Russia has replaced its overall commander for the war in Ukraine in the latest of several shake-ups of Moscow’s military leadership. The move came as Ukraine contested claims that the Wagner mercenary group had taken the strategic salt-mining city Soledar.
‘Great offence’ | A UK Tory MP, Andrew Bridgen, has lost the whip for the latest in a series of wild claims about the Covid vaccine, a ruling that highlights the continuing reach of conspiracy theories.
‘Like he’s in Waitrose’ | A seal trapped in a fishing lake has caused despair for local anglers in Essex as he gorges on the stocks and evades capture.
Full Story
A day at the beach
The summer is well and truly under way so here are five stories about experiences at the beach – including how to have sex on the beach (don’t), how to take your kids there (impossible) and what to do when caught skinny dipping (run).
In-depth
Robots could soon collect tissue samples from whales off the coast of Antarctica or fly long distances over the icy continent with surveillance cameras, as part of Australia’s 10-year plan to boost its presence in its share of the ice-bound continent. The Australian Antarctic Division is already using robots to study remote Adélie penguin colonies but the new plans could help develop autonomous vehicles to service remote camps.
Not the news
Many of us have experienced that sickening moment when a traffic camera flashes overhead and a fine and demerit points beckon. But when it happened to Elias Visontay he refused to accept that he was entirely at fault and decided to battle Revenue NSW to preserve his clean driving licence.
The world of sport
Tennis | Russia’s Daniil Medvedev has dropped from world No 1 to No 8 but he says he is determined to rediscover his best form in Melbourne this month.
Football | Chelsea have confirmed the signing of João Félix on a loan deal from Atlético Madrid for the remainder of the season, while all the transfer window latest is here.
Women’s cricket | With ODIs against Pakistan about to start, Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen says the upcoming IPL is a giant leap forward for the women’s game.
Media roundup
The death of George Pell leads many of today’s front pages and websites. The Australian says “God’s strong man” leaves a “clouded legacy”, the ABC says the verdict on his legacy “depends on who you talk to”, and the Sydney Morning Herald reckons that the conservative” Victorian cleric was more at home in Sydney than his own state. The AFR says Mike Cannon-Brookes hinted that he might buy the collapsed solar power company Sun Cable out of administration, while Central Western Daily reports that the mercury in Orange passed 30C for the first time in 714 days.
What’s happening today
ATO fraud | Summing up in trial of Adam Cranston, Lauren Cranston and three others over allegations they conspired to defraud the ATO of tens of millions of dollars.
Music | The 51st edition of the Tamworth country music festival – the biggest music festival in the country – begins today.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
