‘Less lethal’ police weapons, Pocock on taxing datacentres, and revisiting Strictly Ballroom

Morning everyone. Launchers that shoot “bullet-like missiles”, chemical irritants, stun guns and stinger grenades: today Guardian Australia reveals the “less lethal” weapons that police forces around the country use in crowd control but don’t want you to know about.

The rooftop solar revolution is continuing apace, David Pocock writes for us about why datacentres need to be taxed properly, and the Middle East peace process appears to be back on again.

Australia

Lost at sea | A lone seabird has caused a stir in the nation’s birdwatching community after landing on the Western Australian coast, thousands of kilometres off its usual migratory flight path.

Shining example | Australia leads the world in residential solar per capita but the commercial and industrial sector has deployed only a quarter of that, analysis shows.

Data point | If datacentres are going to use Australian land, water and power, independent senator David Pocock argues in this column, they should pay their fair share of tax to avoid the country making the same mistake as with its gas resources.

‘Disgusted’ | Julia Gillard and Anthony Albanese have joined a chorus of politicians criticising a truck-mounted billboard featuring the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, alongside the phrase “ditch the witch”.

Secret identity | A Queensland magistrate has suppressed the name of a man with a “high public profile” during an ongoing extortion case in Cairns.

World

‘Stop shooting’ | Fears of a return to a full-scale regional war in the Middle East eased overnight when Israel and Iran said they had halted attacks on each other after an appeal from Donald Trump to “immediately stop shooting”. It once again highlights that the complex relationship between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu continues to undermine the ceasefire. It comes as some in Tehran agitate for the abandonment of ceasefire talks with the US. Follow developments live and, if you need a reminder about how we got here, check out this explainer.

Fighter fail | France and Germany have abandoned the project to build a joint fighter jet after failing to reach an agreement in a blow to Europe’s common defence efforts.

Quake toll | At least 35 people have died after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake shook part of the southern Philippines, collapsing buildings and triggering tsunami alerts that were later cancelled.

Pope’s warning | Pope Leo XIV has warned the world is undergoing “a deep spiritual and cultural crisis” and urged the international community to tackle the causes and consequences of what he termed “the tragic drama of migration”.

Bad taste | A US tourist has warned visitors to Rome after paying A$72 (€44) for two ice-creams on a street off Piazza Navona. Nicole Ann, from Florida, said the ice-cream “wasn’t even good”.

Full Story

Should Married at First Sight be taken off air?

Reged Ahmad and Caitlin Cassidy discuss safety concerns on the set of Married at First Sight and whether the show still has a place on our screens.

In-depth

Police forces around Australia regularly use so-called “less lethal” weapons in crowd control. But there is little transparency about the types of weapons in use here, and experts warn some have caused serious injury and even death overseas. By reviewing protest footage, consulting weapons experts and examining tender documents, court records and police data, the Guardian has built the most thorough picture yet of Australia’s “less lethal” arsenal.

Not the news

Tara Morice and Paul Mercurio recall their adventures on the set of Strictly Ballroom. “None of us could believe we were making the film,” she says. “It had been so hard to get funding, and everyone had told Baz [Luhrmann] it wouldn’t work. But I’ll never forget stepping on to the set.”

Sport

Rugby league | New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has set a deadline for Mitchell Moses to prove his fitness after rolling the dice by naming the Parramatta playmaker in his Blues side for game two of the State of Origin series.

AFL | Melbourne and Collingwood let their attacking football do the talking, writes Jonathan Horn, as 90,000 at the MCG felt the absence of the AFL great and MND advocate Neale Daniher.

World Cup | Follow the buildup from North America live, including Scotland’s war of words with Norway and the US refusal of a visa for a Somalian referee. Plus, Jonathan Wilson explains what it takes to win the World Cup.

Melbourne nightclubs could “disappear forever” after a nightlife crime wave, a leading DJ tells the Age. Barnaby Joyce tells the Australian that he believes the Bondi terror attack was the key factor in surging support for One Nation. A poll in the Herald Sun shows Labor is facing a wipeout in the Victoria state elections later this year. Councillors in Newcastle have shifted the date of meetings to make way for concerts by Robbie Williams and Guns N’ Roses, the Herald reports.

What’s happening today

Courts | Arraignment for government worker who allegedly used $49,000 of public money to fund personal overseas trips.

Football | Matildas v Mexico friendly at Parramatta, 7pm kick-off.

Arts | Brisbane festival program launch at 7pm.

Sign up

If 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.

Quick crossword

Cryptic crossword

If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email.

If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email [email protected]