Morning, everyone. Stormy Daniels’ much-anticipated testimony at Donald Trump’s hush-money trial has been lively, with the adult film star describing their sexual encounter and admitting she “hates” the former president – and the defence pushing for a mistrial based on some of her claims on the stand. We have a full report, plus how Australian security chiefs helped tackle a Russian ransomware operation, China hits back in the helicopter row and a court has ordered that details of Australia’s electronic monitoring scheme for former immigration details remain secret.
Australia
Ransom target | An alleged leader of the international ransomware group LockBit has been hit with financial sanctions and banned from travelling to Australia after federal agencies teamed up with counterparts in the US and the UK to close down the hackers.
Exclusive | The Albanese government has successfully suppressed details of the effectiveness of electronic monitoring, arguing that transparency could encourage former immigration detainees to breach ankle bracelet visa conditions.
Domestic violence | The federal government has told the states to speed up a $170m scheme to hire 500 new domestic violence workers, with NSW admitting it could have moved faster to get workers on the ground.
Child warning | Some of the most vulnerable children in NSW are being neglected or put at risk of being removed from their families because resourcing problems in the sector have reached crisis point, child protection workers have warned.
‘Provocative move’ | China’s foreign ministry has accused an Australian navy helicopter of deliberating flying “within close range” of Chinese airspace in a “provocative move” in the latest military altercation between the two nations on the high seas.
World
Gaza aid warning | Aid agencies in Gaza have less than a day’s fuel for trucks and tankers that deliver vital food, medicine, water and diesel to millions across the territory, officials have warned. Israel’s military says it has taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt in the first stage of what still appears to be a plan to target Hamas in the southernmost parts of Gaza. China has joined France and the US in urging Israel not to launch an offensive in Rafah.
‘Did you have sex with him? | Stormy Daniels has told jurors that she had a sexual liaison with Donald Trump in 2006 that left her nervous and ashamed. She also replied “yes” when asked if she hated the former president, and told the court how they had talked about her career in pornography, his wife, Melania, and his black silk pyjamas. The judge denied Trump’s bid for a mistrial.
Putin boycotted | Vladimir Putin has been sworn into his fifth term as Russia’s leader in a ceremony attended by the country’s political elite but boycotted by the UK, US and most European envoys.
Monkey torture network | A British woman has pleaded guilty to being part of a global monkey torture network, admitting uploading 22 images and 132 videos of monkeys being tortured to an online chat group where her username was “The Immolator” .
Disney rethink | Disney plans to release fewer movies including a reduction in the number of Marvel films as it refocuses “more on quality” in its key franchises, after of a string of high-profile flops.
Full Story
India election: what’s at stake for democracy under Modi?
With India’s mammoth election under way, Reged Ahmad speaks to the Guardian’s south Asia correspondent, Hannah Ellis-Petersen, about why the prime minister, Narendra Modi, is popular yet divisive – and the international impact of the election.
In-depth
Students in a range of degrees such as medicine, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology will miss out on cash from the government’s placement payments scheme because their particular fields are not covered. The plan was meant to compensate students for the hours they work for free while studying. For many, including Lauren, who has completed about 1,600 hours of work without pay while studying for a radiography degree, it’s a bitter blow and she tells Caitlin Cassidy that she feels “passed over”. A physiotherapy student, Calum Neish (pictured), says the scheme is a good idea but needs to be fair.
Not the news
“It’s never an easy journey but, you know, sometimes it’s a journey you’ve got to go through.” Three years after ending his career, the rugby league legend Greg Inglis opens up to Jack Snape about his personal struggles and his post-career life which includes the Goanna Academy, a mental health program provider he has established in Sydney.
The world of sport
Rugby league | Australia are the frontrunners to win the race to host the Rugby League World Cup in 2026, with an announcement expected in the near future after France pulled out of hosting the planned 2025 tournament.
Super Netball | The first four rounds of the competition have showed that rule changes introduced at the start of the year have given licence for faster and more physical play.
Cycling | Australia’s Kaden Groves was pipped on the line by Italy’s Jonathan Milan in a sprint finish during stage four of the Giro d’Italia.
Champions League | PSG are trying to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at home to Dortmund.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald reveals the most overcrowded primary and high schools in the city, while the Age leads on education as well with a story claiming that the schools bonus benefits better-off areas over poorer ones. The Courier-Mail carries an eerie video on its website from inside a Brisbane shopping centre abandoned since the 2022 floods. The West Australian reports that Brittany Higgins and Linda Reynolds have scheduled another mediation meeting this month in an attempt to settle their legal dispute.
What’s happening today
Eurovision | The first semi-final in Malmo this morning features the Australian entry, Electric Fields. Here’s a list of acts to look out for.
Perth | Anthony Albanese is to announce government commitments to Western Australia for the coming year.
Economy | Saul Eslake and Colin Barnett will address National Press Club.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here. And finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news. Sign up for our Afternoon Update newsletter here.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Get notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
