The high cost of romance scams; UK PM expected to step down; Iran peace talks suspended over Trump threats

Good morning. Today we ask whether enough is being done to protect Australians caught up in romance scams, and tell the story of a Melbourne woman duped out of $646,035 by a man she fell in love with online.

We tour a key Melbourne electorate and ask voters what they think of Pauline Hanson and One Nation – and get some frank answers.

Embattled British PM Keir Starmer appears poised to step down. And Iran has suspended peace talks with the US in Switzerland after Donald Trump threatened Tehran with new attacks.

Australia

Datacentre concerns | There are about 160 datacentres operating in Australia, with another 90 proposed. They are a key part of the AI economy – but are the promised benefits worth the environmental cost?

‘I thought I could trust him’ | In the past 18 months, Australians lost more than $37m in 4,767 romance scams. Should banks and dating apps be forced to refund victims of romance scams?

The Agenda | Things get a little frantic during the final parliament sitting before a long break. The focus this time will be on doing deals, Josh Butler writes.

Mulling it over | We headed to Pakenham, an electorate One Nation is targeting in Victoria’s state election, to see how her National Press Club speech landed.

Explainer | A deadly strain of bird flu has arrived on the Australian mainland. What does it mean for the agricultural sector and wildlife – and are humans at risk?

World

Middle East crisis | Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran again unless it stops Hezbollah “causing trouble”, but Iran responded by pausing talks between US and Iranian officials in Switzerland. And four months after the horrific Iran school bombing, fears grow that Trump and Pete Hegseth will bury the truth.

On the edge | Keir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure later today, clearing the way for Andy Burnham to become UK prime minister without a formal contest.

Upon reflection | The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC is “probably” going to be drained for repairs, Donald Trump says, after algae and peeling paint marred its renovation.

Feeling the heat | Authorities in France have cancelled some outdoor sport and restricted alcohol consumption amid extreme heat fears.

Forced re-sit | More than 2 million aspiring Indian doctors have sat exams for a second time after an alleged leak forced officials to scrap the original test results.

World Cup

Socceroos latest | The 2-0 defeat to the USA was a sudden comedown but there were some reasons for cheer from the Socceroos’ performance, Jack Snape writes.

Match catch-up | Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal have fired Spain to an emphatic win against Saudi Arabia; and Belgium are taking on Iran. Yesterday, Ayase Ueda inspired Japan to eliminate Tunisia.

Off the pitch | Some US players believe they can win the World Cup – are they deluded? And why Thierry Henry v Alexi Lalas is the World Cup’s most compelling battle.

What to watch today | Uruguay v Cabo Verde kicks off at 8am and New Zealand take on Egypt at 11am.

Full Story

Greg Jericho on the economic forces pushing Australia towards populism

The Reserve Bank kept interest rates on hold last week but warned that a future rate rise was on the table. Meanwhile, Australians are feeling the pinch after the Middle East crisis sent global supply chains into chaos. Nour Haydar speaks with Greg Jericho about why so many Australians are feeling pessimistic about the economy.

In-depth

Queensland and the Northern Territory are considering changes to their child protection systems that erode protections put in place in the 1990s to keep Aboriginal families together. Advocates warn that the debate has narrowed to a false binary between safety and culture.

Not the news

Australia’s publishing industry seems hellbent on getting books to market as quickly as possible. Titles are going to market before they’re ready – and otherwise excellent books are marred by shoddy copy editing, cursory proofreading and flat-out errors.

Sport

AFL | Carlton’s season could easily have been meaningless but is now very much alive, Jonathan Horn writes.

Cricket | Matt Henry ended England’s resistance as New Zealand completed a second Test rout; Ben Stokes is set for an England recall.

Tennis | Serena Williams will make a Wimbledon singles comeback.

Golf | US Open glory beckons for Wyndham Clark with a six-shot lead going into the final round.

Running | Sweat, tears and camaraderie as 20,000 runners take on world’s largest ultramarathon in South Africa.

South Australia police are hoping to get officers back on the beat faster with the trial of an AI “sidekick”, the Advertiser reports. There are concerns as Geelong’s population boom brings urban sprawl into close proximity with duck hunting, ABC News reports.

What’s happening today

ACT | Parliament is sitting in Canberra.

NSW | A hearing is scheduled at the supreme court of NSW as families sue the rural fire service over the deadly Black Summer bushfires.

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