Trump to reinstate Iran blockade, Hollywood hails Sam Neill, and sextortion on the rise

Morning everyone. Donald Trump says he will reinstate the US blockade on Iranian ports amid more exchange of bombing – and has demanded a 20% tariff on all cargoes shipped through the strait of Hormuz.

The online scourge of “sextortion”, in which people are blackmailed with the posting of sexual images or videos, is a growing problem in Australia, according to a report by the online safety watchdog, with a patchy response from tech firms.

Plus: the film world remembers Sam Neill.

Australia

‘One of the greats’ | Some of the biggest names in film have paid tribute to Sam Neill after his sudden death yesterday at the age of 78. Steven Spielberg, who directed Neill in Jurassic Park, said he was “saddened” by the news, while Nicole Kidman said the Kiwi actor was “one of the greats”. Luke Buckmaster picks Neill’s 20 best roles, while Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw recalls Neill’s gifts as a “unobtrusively good-looking Hollywood romantic lead”.

‘Sextortion’ rise | More than 2,000 cases of “sextortion” were reported to the online safety watchdog in the last six months of last year with men in the 18-24 age group the most likely to be targeted, according to a report.

Vape sales | Sellers have turned to social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to promote illegal vapes as experts call for stronger penalties for the sites.

AI ‘inflection point’ | Anthony Albanese will describe the progress of AI as an inflection point for society on par with the renewable energy transition, but is not expected to detail progress on copyright reforms.

Abuse inquiry | Australia’s federal police have contacted more than 120 families as part of an investigation into alleged offending by a former Sydney childcare worker.

World

Oil spike | Donald Trump has once again threatened to take control of the strait of Hormuz as he announced the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran and demanded a 20% tariff on ships. The regime also announced that it was denying passage of ships through the ​strait of Hormuz, causing a spike in oil prices. According to reports, Israel tried to recruit Iran’s intensely anti-Zionist former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a new post-Islamic regime in Tehran.

Terror investigation | UK counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who was found dead in her home on Dartmoor last week.

‘Climate kills’ | French firefighters are tackling a blaze of unprecedented scale sweeping through Fontainebleau forest, south-east of Paris.

Ice shooting | A person has been ⁠shot dead by US immigration agents in Maine days ⁠after a man ⁠was ​killed by an immigration agent during a traffic stop in Texas.

China glut | Record numbers of Chinese graduates – equivalent to the population of a small European country – are entering the job market but can’t find work.

World Cup

Match catch-up | Spain’s captain, Rodri, admits France, their semi-final opponents in Dallas at 5am AEDT tomorrow, are in good form but “we can beat them”. England v Argentina in the other semi-final is one of the classic World Cup grudge matches, and while Lionel Messi remains potent the champions’ lack of width and energy offers a chance for Thomas Tuchel’s men. Either way, demons lurk for all four teams, writes Jonathan Wilson.

Off the pitch | Victoria Beckham has become the biggest meme of the World Cup thanks to her inscrutable reaction to England’s quarter-final win.

Full Story

Can Labor save us from the risks of AI?

Our chief political correspondent, Dan Jervis-Bardy, speaks to Reged Ahmad about the tightrope Anthony Albanese needs to walk between embracing new technology and protecting workers.

In-depth

Adeshola Ore visits the Victorian town of Donald, where locals are dealing with the loss of 13-year-old Layla Jeffrey. Everybody knows everybody, says the local mayor Graeme Milne, but with teenagers forming close bonds in the small town he says “I would expect the kids are finding it tough going”.

Not the news

The young Australian surfing sensation Hughie Vaughan has amazed the sport with his moves in a wave pools but his future surely lies in the ocean, writes Kieran Pender.

Sport

Tour de France | Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar is on course for a fifth Tour title this year and is cycling’s new “patron”.

Women’s cricket | India have defeated England by 270 runs in the one-off Test at Lord’s.

Tennis | Check out our Wimbledon awards for best player, epic matches, biggest drama and more.

Labor and the Coalition are neck and neck in Victoria on 27 points, according to a poll in the Age, with One Nation five behind. However, a survey in the Herald Sun says One Nation are ahead of the big two. The Albanese government is still finalising a final position on copyright laws which Anthropic says are crucial for its $21bn investment in Australia, the Financial Review reports. High tides have swamped low-lying Hobart suburbs, the Mercury reports, with 163km/h winds also battering the city.

What’s happening today

Health | AIHW data on cancer outcomes for First Nations people.

Population | Figures on overseas arrivals and departures from the ABS.

Melbourne | CEDA conference on datacentres and Victoria’s digital future.

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