Morning everyone. Donald Trump has laid out his objectives in his war against Iran and says the idea of sending troops into the country doesn’t give him “the yips”. We have reports from the US, Middle East and Europe on the state of the escalating war, plus analysis on the political and economic impacts, and the latest on stranded travellers.
At home, Pauline Hanson faces questions over her travel expenses, the government is reviewing the access of lobbyists to Parliament House, a new suburb is planned for inner Sydney, and Mental As Anything are living it up once more.
Australia
Go west | Sydney will get its first new inner city suburb in decades – to be known as Bays West – under a state government plan to build 8,500 new homes in the area around White Bay power station and give public waterfront access to Glebe Island for the first time in more than 100 years.
Hanson questions | Pauline Hanson has claimed thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded flights and chauffeured vehicles to headline political fundraisers for One Nation, raising questions about compliance with parliamentary rules.
Exclusive | Political lobbyists with unfettered access to Canberra’s halls of power could be exposed to more scrutiny as Anthony Albanese suggests greater “transparency and rigour” of sponsored passholders at Parliament House.
Gender gap | The federal government’s latest figures on gender pay equality show that men are nearly twice as likely as women to be making $220,000 a year, with minimal progress made on narrowing the gap in the past 12 months.
Working rights | All employers will be affected by the Victorian government’s plan to legislate a right to work from home two days week, with Jacinta Allan to confirm there will be no exemptions for small businesses.
World
‘Not even started’ | Donald Trump says the “big wave” of attacks on Iran has not even started, but his war in the Middle East nevertheless expanded dramatically with casualties and destruction reported across at least nine countries in under 10 hours. Trump’s defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, promised the US would not get “bogged down” in an Iraq-style war but the Gulf states are on the verge of their own retaliation against Iran after its missile assault. In Iran, people face an internet blackout by a “desperate” regime. Thousands of people remain stranded after the closure of key Gulf airports, and the Iranian retaliation on Dubai and the closure of its airport have triggered a scramble among the wealthy for private jets. Follow it all live.
Austin shooting | Officials in Texas are continuing to investigate a weekend mass shooting at an Austin bar by a man wearing a “Property of Allah” hoodie as an act of potential terrorism.
Measles fear | South Carolina is struggling to control a measles outbreak that has infected nearly 1,000 people, but groups with ties to the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, are pushing to eliminate vaccine requirements for children.
Master stroke | The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced that a painting that hung on the wall of a private house for decades is an early biblical scene by Rembrandt that was once thought lost.
The Mask | The organiser of the César awards has sought to debunk reports that a lookalike stood in for Jim Carrey at last week’s ceremony, saying the actor practised his speech in French.
Full Story
Why is Albanese supporting Trump’s illegal strike on Iran?
Political editor Tom McIllroy speaks to Nour Haydar about the government’s policy on Iran.
In-depth
The potential closure of the strait of Hormuz off southern Iran, which carries one-fifth of global seaborne crude oil, one-fifth of LNG shipments and one-third of the most widely used fertiliser, could be disastrous for the Australian – and global – economy, Patrick Commins explains. It’s not great for the stock market either.
Not the news
Four decades after they had an international hit with Live It Up, one of Australia’s most enduring bands are playing a series of dates this June to back up the release of a film that charts their ups and downs, drinking bouts and lawsuits.
Sport
AFL | Jonathan Horn reckons this could finally be the season when Geelong struggle to keep up their remarkable recent record of success as he predicts the middle part of the ladder.
Formula One | Williams chief James Vowles says his team are ready to challenge for top spot and takes McLaren as his inspiration.
Football | Relegation is a real possibility for Tottenham after their latest defeat, writes Jonathan Wilson, while Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber says his team must accept the fans are nervous about blowing their lead.
Media roundup
Peter Dutton has hit out at a Liberal party review of last year’s election defeat, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, calling it a “hit job”. The house at the centre of the Wieambilla shootings has been listed for sale but comes with a “bizarre questionnaire”, the Courier Mail reports. Dramatic video posted by the Age shows a level crossing boom gate appear to lift just before a train passes, the train crashing into a car.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, begins a state visit.
Environment | Ken Henry to speak at NSW Rural Press Club in Sydney on biodiversity reforms.
Astronomy | Blood moon lunar eclipse will be visible overnight.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
