Good morning. The first World Cup news of the day was the stuff of organisers’ dreams: demand for tickets for the Matildas’ opening game in July is so high the match has been moved to Sydney’s 83,500-seat Stadium Australia. The second was the stuff of PR nightmares: the tournament is being sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s tourist board, casting a shadow over Australia’s biggest sporting event since the 2000 Olympics.
Elsewhere the Albanese government hopes to boost backing for the voice at national cabinet on Friday, and how to avoid personality clashes at work.
Australia
Lehrmann inquiry | The former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff KC, pictured, will lead the inquiry into the handling of the Bruce Lehrmann case after explosive allegations of police misconduct, the ACT chief minister will announce today.
World Cup | Australia’s hosting of the Women’s World Cup this year risks being overshadowed by a sportswashing row after Fifa announced that the tournament would be sponsored by Visit Saudi. The decision will attract strong criticism because of the kingdom’s record on human rights – especially its treatment of women.
Voice boost | State and territory leaders are expected to endorse a plan to support an Indigenous voice to parliament in the lead-up to Friday’s national cabinet meeting, boosting the Albanese government’s efforts to secure constitutional recognition amid uncertainty about the stance of Liberals and Greens.
Regimes targeted | Australia has imposed sanctions on Iranian security officials and has also targeted Myanmar’s military ruler on the second anniversary of the military coup.
Conflict warning | The Australian foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, used a speech in London today to call on all countries to play their part to prevent a “catastrophic” war in the Indo-Pacific region.
World
Adani slide | Gautam Adani, the Indian billionaire behind the Adani coal project in Queensland, has fallen out the list of the world’s top 10 richest people as the value of shares in his companies continue to slide after an activist investor accused him of “pulling the largest con in corporate history”.
‘Complete disaster’ | Britain’s economy is being held back by Brexit, staff shortages and high mortgage costs, a top analyst says, while a leading business figure and Tory billionaire said leaving the EU has been a “complete disaster”.
Dodo revival? | The dodo, a flightless bird that has become synonymous with extinction, could be brought back to life if attempts by a gene editing company to reassemble key traits in a relative, such as a pigeon, are successful.
French frisson | Hundreds of thousands of people took part in more street demonstrations across France on Tuesday against Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age to 64.
Dance protest | An Iranian couple filmed dancing in Tehran have been jailed for 10 years, convicted of “encouraging corruption and public prostitution” after video of the dance went viral.
Full Story
How a mafia kingpin evaded police for 30 years
Our reporters Lorenzo Tondo and Clare Longrigg discuss the capture of high-ranking mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro in Sicily, its significance, and how it might help police solve murders stretching back decades.
In-depth
With pressure building for a reform of bail laws in Victoria, analysis of official data shows that the number of unsentenced people in Australian jails has risen more than 120% over 10 years. That’s more than a third of the total prison population. Human rights advocates are urging reforms to ensure people aren’t needlessly funnelled into the criminal justice system.
Not the news
We’ve all experienced a clash of personalities at work, whether it’s around how we communicate (or don’t) or cultural conditioning. So we’ve asked relationship expert and writer, Ali Walker, to come up with some ways of managing these situations, such as trying not to take moments too personally and developing strategies to reflect and communicate better.
The world of sport
Golf | Phil Mickelson has told the golf world to prepare for more jousts involving LIV rebels on the DP World Tour after the public spat between Rory McIlroy, pictured, and Patrick Reed.
Rugby union | Eddie Jones says he should not be treated as the messiah as he plots a new golden era for the Wallabies by first setting his sights on beating the All Blacks.
Football | The UK police chiefs’ peak body has issued an official apology for the failures that led to the unlawful killing of 97 people in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Media roundup
The Age reveals a Victorian government department backflipped on a ban on TikTok. The Australian says research funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris produced positive findings about vapes and e-cigarettes that have been used by Australian researchers. The West Australian says Anthony Albanese will visit the state to announce new urgent care clinics to take the pressure off local hospitals.
What’s happening today
NT update | Dorrelle Anderson, the first Aboriginal director of the Northern Territory’s families department, is giving an initial report on progress with alcohol bans and policing to the chief minister today.
Robodebt hearing | Former Coalition minister Alan Tudge will appear before the robodebt royal commission in Brisbane.
Cost of living | The Reserve Bank of Australia is appearing before the cost of living inquiry this morning.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords and free Wordiply game to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
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