Morning everyone. There are renewed hopes that the US and Iran will resume peace negotiations over the coming 24 hours as JD Vance prepares to fly to Pakistan for talks – but Tehran is still sending mixed messages about whether it is ready to return to the table.
At home, a federal law enforcement body says organised crime is systematically rorting the NDIS. Plus, Carlton’s Elijah Hollands is admitted to hospital after his “mental health episode”, and we ask: do Australians have too many recycling bins? Or not enough?
Australia
‘Absolutely crazy’ | A leading scientist has criticised an “appalling” New South Wales government agency decision to stop water flowing to wetlands in the state’s north-west, saying it was “absolutely crazy” that researchers had to scramble to save animals such as turtles buried in drying mud.
NDIS | Organised crime gangs are using the National Disability Insurance Scheme to launder money, earn income and hide assets, law enforcement officials have warned parliament, undermining probity in the $50bn program.
Doubling down | The New South Wales premier has doubled down on an anti-protest law struck down in the state’s highest court last week, defending the legislation introduced by his government as “rational and proportionate”.
Woolies accused | The consumer watchdog is back in court and taking on Australia’s largest supermarket chain by alleging Woolworths deliberately misled shoppers with fake discounts.
Waste of time? | Amid the complaints about Melbourne’s four different types of wheelie bin, Petra Stock looks at how Australia compares with other countries and finds a Japanese town where residents sort their waste into 40 different categories.
World
Starmer crunch | Keir Starmer has ordered an investigation into any security concerns relating to Peter Mandelson’s tenure as UK ambassador to the US as he battles for his political life after delivering a politically crucial statement to parliament. Here are some of the key aspects of the crisis explained.
Peace delegation | JD Vance is expected to fly to Islamabad at the head of a US diplomatic delegation in the next 24 hours if Iran agrees to further peace talks as the deadline for the current ceasefire looms. It was not clear if Iran would even attend after a day of conflicting signals from Tehran. Oil prices rose and stock markets fell as the strait of Hormuz remained shut to tankers. Follow developments live.
Spill suit | Environmental groups have sued the Trump administration over its approval of BP’s huge new ultra-deep oil drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico, 16 years to the day since the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
Far-right ban | Valentina Gomez, a US-based anti-Islam influencer who had been authorised to attend a far-right rally in London, has now been blocked from entering the UK by the home secretary.
Winehouse loss | Amy Winehouse’s father has lost a high court claim against two of his daughter’s friends over the auctioning of items once owned by the singer.
Full Story
A homeless man died in public in Sydney. How did his death go unnoticed?
The lonely death of Bikram Lama exposes a glaring gap in homelessness services. Reged Ahmad speaks to Christopher Knaus about which hopes and dreams brought Lama to Australia, and what went wrong.
In-depth
Insurance companies are generating a record 100 complaints a day as they reject or struggle to handle day-to-day claims, according to data shared exclusively with Guardian Australia. Luca Ittimani speaks to claimants such as Rick from Victoria, who has waited more than three years for a payout after his house flooded.
Not the news
Andrew Herrick recalls his rookie era when, aged 15, suspecting the world was doomed, he left home to live off the land for a week. By day five he was naked and starving and aware that civilisation had its merits.
Sport
AFL | Carlton player Elijah Hollands has been admitted to hospital four days after what his club described as “a mental health episode” when playing against Collingwood.
Formula One | The Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, said he was confident Formula One will find a constructive way to agree changes to the new regulations as the sport’s bosses met.
Football | West Ham host Crystal Palace in a crucial game for the home side, who could put themselves four points clear of Spurs with a win.
Media roundup
The Age has a poll showing 62% of Australians disapprove of the “unreliable” US president. Businesses such as Coles and Woolworths will be forced to absorb the spiralling costs faced by truckies, according to the Courier Mail. The Herald Sun reports on what it was like inside Dezi Freeman’s mountain hideout.
What’s happening today
Defence | Minister for defence industry Pat Conroy in Melbourne expected to announce a major investment into counter-drone capabilities.
Business | Hearing for the ACCC’s case against Woolworths at the federal court in Melbourne.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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