Morning everyone. We have an exclusive story today on the “white shirt guy” whose struggle with police at a protest against Isaac Herzog in Sydney became global news, and who now plans to sue for what he alleges was an unprovoked assault. Many Australians will be feeling poorer after the latest rate hike, and it’s yet another blow for would-be homebuyers. Plus, we have everything you need to know about this weekend’s Farrer byelection.
Elsewhere, the Middle East ceasefire is barely holding after a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, we take a look at America’s real-life nomadland, and could tennis stars boycott the grand slams?
Australia
Economic shock | The third Reserve Bank rate hike in a row has delivered a blow not only to mortgaged homeowners, but also to those like Dani Hunterford and her husband hoping to break into the property market. She says it’s “distressing” that home ownership seems further out of reach. Our economics editor says you can’t fault the logic of Michele Bullock’s warning that we are all going to be poorer, while Nicki Hutley writes that the governor’s unusually frank language could be seen as part of the shock therapy.
Exclusive | Footage of the “white shirt guy” being grabbed by police at the anti-Herzog rally in February shocked Australia and spread around the world. Now Derek Jones has broken his silence to tell us about what he alleges was an unprovoked assault and why he is suing.
Rail bail | The Albanese government will drastically scale back the beleaguered inland rail project, abandoning plans to connect country New South Wales and Queensland by rail, as the price tag blows out to more than $45bn.
Smoke signal | Tobacco company Philip Morris has warned senators that the soaring trade in illegal cigarettes will wipe out legal products in Australia by 2030, claiming executives’ identities should be kept secret because of threats from organised crime.
‘Unacceptable’| Witnesses are refusing to appear before NSW parliamentary inquiries due to a recent court ruling, in a move critics say is having a “completely unacceptable” impact on public interest investigations.
World
Peace peril | A reported barrage of Iranian missiles targeting the United Arab Emirates appears to leave the Middle East ceasefire in new peril, although Pete Hegseth claimed the truce was still intact. We also have a special report from Tehran, where a veneer of normality has returned but amid deep fears for the future. The UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, clashed in person with US treasury secretary Scott Bessent over the war at a meeting in Washington, sources claim. And Donald Trump has renewed his attack on the pope, saying the pontiff was “endangering a lot of Catholics” with his criticisms of the war.
Russia shutdown | Russia shut down airports and temporarily cut mobile internet access for many users in Moscow as it tightened security ahead of the 9 May Victory Day parade marking the defeat of Nazi Germany.
West Bank | The Israeli army chief in the West Bank has said his troops were “killing like we haven’t killed since 1967”, according to an Israeli report of comments leaked from a closed forum.
Whale ‘catastrophe’ | Marine experts have called a privately funded operation to release Timmy the humpback whale off Germany’s Baltic coast an “all-round catastrophe” after it emerged that a tracker fitted to the whale was not working.
‘Astonishing’ | The evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins has declared after lengthy exchanges with bots that AI is conscious. “These intelligent beings are at least as competent as any evolved organism,” he said.
Full Story
Everyone is talking about Farrer: here’s what you need to know
As we build up to this weekend’s Farrer byelection, Sarah Basford Canales speaks to Reged Ahmad about why it matters.
In-depth
With the cost of living very much front of mind, we have a timely and fascinating look at the growing number of Americans giving up on the “system” and its fixed costs of rent and bills, in favour of a semi-nomadic life in campervans.
Not the news
Nicholas Jordan thought it must be impossible to make sauerkraut that is not tangy. But he was wrong, as his latest supermarket testing adventure testifies. “Sure, there were a handful that were tart, funky and farty,” he writes, “but others were wet, soft strands of salty cabbage.”
Sport
Tennis | Aryna Sabalenka laid down a gauntlet for the Australian Open and the three other grand slams by warning that the top players will boycott the tournaments in their bid to win a greater share of revenues.
Football | Arsenal host Atlético Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final this morning.
Snooker | Wu Yize, the new world champion, is the fourth consecutive first-time winner and the game faces a challenge to keep up with investment in Asia.
Media roundup
The medicines regulator is being urged to recall a controversial cold and flu herb, the ABC reports. Amid the gloomy national economic picture, the Herald Sun suggests that Victorians face a $50bn tax hit to balance the books. Gold Coast council has voted to close the beachfront Esplanade to traffic despite fierce opposition from residents, the Bulletin reports. An Adelaide family experienced every dog owner’s nightmare when their pet was left fighting for its life after swallowing a corn cob, the Advertiser reports.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Hearings continue for the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion.
Canberra | Amanda Lacaze, the CEO of Lynas Rare Earths, speaks at the National Press Club.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
