Good morning. About 100,000 people walked unknowingly past the body of Bikram Lama, nicknamed “the birdman”, who died a lonely death in the centre of Sydney’s bustling CBD. Today we reveal how his hopes and dreams soured, and what it tells us about a glaring gap in our safety net.
Donald Trump has again threatened to bomb Iran’s power plants, and the US says it has shot at and seized an Iranian ship, as the impasse over the strait of Hormuz continues.
We meet the independent candidate hoping to thwart One Nation’s Farrer ambitions. And we chat to Aaron Chen about his move to the US and how a sitcom changed his life.
Australia
Housing crisis | An aged care development on a site at risk of serious flooding in Sydney’s inner west is looming as a key test of the New South Wales government’s plans to boost housing supply.
Exclusive | When Bikram Lama died, Sydney commuters streamed past his body for days. His lonely death exposes a glaring gap in Australia’s homelessness services. So, what went wrong?
Tackling racism? | Federal Labor has been accused of dragging its feet on a plan to combat systemic racism, nearly 18 months after it received recommendations from the human rights commission.
‘I will never give up’ | Ben Roberts-Smith says he has “never run from a fight in my life” as he denied war crime murder allegations relating to the shooting deaths of unarmed civilians.
Supanova expo death | A learner driver from Werribee has been charged with killing a pedestrian after a car ploughed into a group outside a popular comic convention at Melbourne showgrounds.
World
Middle East crisis | Iran has reportedly rejected new peace talks as the US claims to have shot at and seized an Iranian-flagged vessel trying to run its blockade. Trump has again warned the US will “knock out” every power plant if Iran doesn’t accept a deal; an intemperate Trump brings chaos and confusion to Iran talks, Patrick Wintour writes.
Shooting rampage | A suspect has been shot dead after at least eight people – including young children – were killed and others were wounded in shootings in the Louisiana city of Shreveport.
‘Holy war’ | A conservative Republican lawmaker – and longtime Trump ally and supporter of the Maga movement – has condemned the US president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV as a “distraction”.
Scheme controversy | Italian lawyers will be paid bonuses if they convince their immigrant clients to return home under a government plan compared to a “wild west-style bounty”.
Pitcairn Register | A book detailing the lives of “extraordinarily resilient” Tahitian women enslaved after the notorious mutiny on the Bounty is leaving London to go on display on Norfolk Island.
Full Story
The vulnerable children charged with possessing extremist material
Nour Haydar speaks with investigations reporter Ariel Bogle about how a “bad” law means children charged with possessing extremist material may not always understand they have committed a crime.
In-depth
After a recent surge in support, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is hoping to claim the seat of Farrer to expand its lower house presence. But the byelection also features independent Michelle Milthorpe – a teacher and advocate for child sexual assault survivors. She tells Sarah Basford Canales about facing up to critics, how city MPs don’t understand the regions, and how Farrer is “a different ballgame”.
Not the news
The gently offbeat comedian Aaron Chen is a beloved presence on Australian TV, but he’s now relocated to the bright lights of New York and made his first Hollywood film. And with the release of a new special – Aaron Chen: Funny Garden – on Netflix, he reflects on being easily overwhelmed, how ABC’s surprise hit sitcom Fisk changed his life, and “a big time of growing up”.
Sport
AFL | How was Elijah Hollands allowed to keep playing during a “mental health episode”, Jonathan Horn asks.
Football | Erling Haaland sank Arsenal to give Manchester City an edge in the Premier League title race; Virgil van Dijk earned a late Liverpool win in the first derby at Everton’s new home; Aston Villa grabbed a dramatic victory after a Sunderland rally; Bayern Munich won their 35th Bundesliga title by surging past Stuttgart.
A new era? | Humanoid robots showed their rapid advances as they raced past humans in Beijing half marathon.
Basketball | The Oklahoma City Thunder launched their title defence as the NBA’s parity era faces a big test.
Media roundup
ADHD rates in adults are skyrocketing in Australia – but by how much might depend on where you live, ABC News reports. A $4.2bn infrastructure war chest could help unlock thousands of new homes in NSW – but councils say they can’t spend it, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Australia is facing a language learning crisis despite the subject being vital for national prosperity, NT News reports.
What’s happening today
ACT | A public hearing is scheduled in the parliamentary inquiry into telecommunications reforms at Parliament House.
NSW | Hearings are set to begin in Sydney in a defamation suit being taken against Rebel Wilson.
VIC | A hearing is scheduled in Melbourne in the ACCC’s case against Woolworths.
Sign up
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailIf you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
