Good morning. Karl Stefanovic is expected to be about to leave (or asked to leave) Channel Nine after the appearance on his podcast of British rightwing agitator Tommy Robinson.
In Australian politics, two community independent MPs are launching a new political party – but other teals aren’t yet on board.
Plus, it’s decision time for Tony Popovic, and should possum ever be on the menu?
Australia
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Piano man | When a pianist from the audience filled in at a La La Land in Concert performance in Sydney because of sudden illness it made global headlines. But two orchestra members say that’s not the full story.
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Stefanovic strife | Nine Entertainment is expected to sever ties with Karl Stefanovic, Channel Nine’s highest-paid presenter, after the Today show co-host interviewed UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
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Iran ‘threat’ | An Australian citizen working as a senior intelligence officer for Iran “orchestrated” a firebombing in Bondi, the country’s top spy has claimed, while a former Australian resident in Iraq allegedly directed the attack on a Melbourne synagogue.
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Tax attack | The fund manager Geoff Wilson, a prominent public critic of the government’s tax changes, has deleted an AI-generated video he reposted from a rightwing nationalist account. Meanwhile, Greg Jericho notes in his column today that the reforms are already having an effect.
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Teal deal | Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender are today launching a new political party called Community Strong Australia, with the aim of providing a centrist alternative for voters.
World
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Weather records | The UK has broken its all-time temperature record for June after the mercury reached 35.7C in Charlwood in Surrey. France recorded its hottest day ever for the second day running as a heatwave sweeps across Europe.
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Republican split | Former Donald Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene has broken ties with the Republican party and the president risked a clash with her former fellow members of Congress when he shelved plans to sign a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing. The results of Tuesday’s New York primaries show that Zohran Mamdani has lost none of his political magic. Follow US political developments live.
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Maternity scandal | More than 500 mothers and babies came to harm or died as a result of inadequate care in Nottingham, an inquiry into the NHS’s biggest ever maternity scandal has revealed.
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Horror show | A fan of the British television serial killer show Dexter murdered two men before dismembering and burning their bodies.
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Starry show | The dazzling sight of more than 60m stars at the heart of Earth’s galaxy has been captured by a space telescope.
World Cup
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Socceroos latest | Tomorrow’s match against Paraguay is prompting expectations of full pubs and empty offices. Tony Popovic faces a selection dilemma before the game, among them whether to recall Nestory Irankunda.
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Match catch-up | Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar and Switzerland v Canada kicked off earlier this morning. Can the matches keep up the high number of goals so far?
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Off the pitch | The Bosnia game will show many fans displaying their traditional flag dating from medieval times rather than the official one. Check out our gallery of World Cup watch parties.
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What to watch today | There’s heaps to come: Scotland v Brazil and Morocco v Haiti at 8am. Then Czechia v Mexico and South Africa v South Korea at 11am.
Full Story
Why was Karl Stefanovic’s podcast pulled?
Nour Haydar speaks to media correspondent Amanda Meade and senior correspondent Ben Doherty about the evolution of Karl Stefanovic.
In-depth
Electricity prices are expected to fall about 10% from 1 July but not all households will see the benefit. Petra Stock digs into the numbers and explains why – and what to do about it.
Not the news
Dark Mofo, Tasmania’s mid-winter art, music and food festival, has always dished up a side-serve of discomfort, writes Beth Knights, and this year is no exception with an offering of brushtail bao – parcels filled with slow-cooked wild Tasmanian possum.
Sport
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Cricket | India’s 15-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, will be required to use his own changing room for safeguarding reasons on his first international tour in England and Ireland.
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Tennis | The International Olympic Committee has broken with 130 years of tradition by deciding to pay athletes.
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Cricket | Ben Stokes says he has apologised to his teammates and was “hurt” seeing Joe Root criticised as a stand-in captain.
Media roundup
Gina Rinehart has bought a block of beach apartments in Perth and named them after Ben Roberts-Smith, WAtoday reports. The Gold Coast has been dudded by the state budget that allocates three times more to Sunshine Coast road schemes, critics tell the Bulletin.
What’s happening today
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Canberra | New chief of defence force Mark Hammond, new army chief Susan Coyle and defence minister Richard Marles speak at the ASPI Defence Conference.
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Melbourne | Public hearing of inquiry into anti-LGBTIQA+ hate crimes in Victoria.
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Economy | ABS releases monthly unemployment figures.
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Brain teaser
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