Good morning. We reveal today that an Australian military officer has been stripped of his security clearance after telling investigators that he would share classified information with the Israel Defence Forces if they asked for it.
Encrypted messaging app Telegram has been handed a fine of almost $1m for taking 160 days to come up with answers about how it tackles terrorism and child abuse material found on its platform.
Overseas, Germany’s conservatives are projected to win the most votes in the election – amid a dramatic surge in support for the far-right AfD party. And Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would step down if it means Ukraine can have peace.
Australia
Telegram | Encrypted messaging app Telegram has been fined nearly $1m by Australia’s online safety regulator for failing to respond on time to questions about what the company does to tackle terrorism and child abuse material on its platform.
ADF concerns | An officer in the Australian army has been stripped of his security clearance because Asio believes he is more loyal to Israel than Australia, and at risk of being exploited by the Mossad.
Mustafa Hajj-Obeid | Multiple experts say the Australian government should repatriate and investigate any alleged crimes of an Islamic state member who was wounded in the extremist group’s final battle.
Analysis | In a campaign where Peter Dutton has built up some momentum, a protracted argument about Medicare could be the coin on the tracks to derail his train, Josh Butler writes.
Exclusive | Energy giant AGL is disputing a $25m fine it received for wrongly taking Centrepay welfare money from hundreds of vulnerable Australians as “manifestly excessive” in an appeal.
World
German elections | The Conservatives are poised to win Germany’s election as the country shifts to the right, while the far-right AfD party has doubled its support. Set to be chancellor, who is Friedrich Merz and what’s in his in-tray?
Middle East crisis | Israel says its West Bank operation will last for a year as it sends tanks to Jenin; massive crowds attend the funeral in Beirut for late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli bombing last September.
Russia-Ukraine war | Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would give up the presidency for peace and Nato membership; Russia launches a huge drone attack on the eve of the invasion’s third anniversary; Russians have hopes for peace talks and “universal joy” – but will western brands return?
US politics | Donald Trump has been accused by a top Democrat of “surrendering to the Russians” on Ukraine; new FBI director Kash Patel tells his staff to ignore Elon Musk’s request to list their achievements; Trump halts medical research funding in apparent violation of a judge’s order; opposition to Trump, slow to energise, shakes off its slumber.
Crypto theft | The cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has called on the “brightest minds” in cybersecurity to help it recover $2.3bn stolen by hackers in what is thought to be the biggest single digital theft in history.
Full Story
Trump brings Russia in from the cold, but at what cost to Ukraine?
In a matter of days, Donald Trump has completed the most radical shift in US foreign policy in decades, bringing Putin back into the fold while sidelining Europe. He claims to have brought the end of the Ukraine war within sight. But are we really any closer to peace? And at what price? Jonathan Freedland speaks with veteran US diplomat Kurt Volker and the Guardian’s US live news editor, Chris Michael.
In-depth
In 1985, a bus carrying 49 mostly teenagers pulled up to the Blamey Barracks, in Kapooka, New South Wales, where they were to undertake the same army training as men for the first time in Australian history. The women and girls at Kapooka were there to blaze a trail, to make history – but didn’t know they were about to enter a world of pain. This is the story of how Australia’s first female combat troops made it through and proved the doubters wrong.
Not the news
There are a few travel rules Rachel Griffiths swears by. Don’t drink or eat on the plane. Get on local time as quickly as possible. In the latest of our Away With interviews series, the Australian acting legend shares her secret beach hideaway, the Italian city that left her feeling frazzled – and her obsession with packing cubes.
Sport
Football | Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a statement win over Manchester City; Newcastle held off Nottingham Forest in a seven goal thriller.
Cricket | Virat Kohli’s century steered India to a Champions Trophy win over old foes Pakistan; England’s Jos Buttler remains optimistic despite a record-breaking defeat by Australia.
Rugby | Antoine Dupont came to the fore as France ran riot in Rome to thrash Italy in a ruthless Six Nations rout.
Media roundup
Emergency department doctors say the government needs to declare “a national crisis” amid a surge in violence against clinical staff, ABC News reports. New modelling suggests Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions would surge by more than 2bn tonnes under the Coalition’s plan for nuclear energy, the Age reports. Expectant mothers could have their pregnancy managed by a midwife or a GP under a radical proposal aiming to prevent mass closures of Australia’s maternity wards, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
What’s happening today
Queensland | A conference is being held in Brisbane on critical mineral investments and planning to support Australia’s energy transition.
WA | Hearings are scheduled in Perth in the Yindjibarndi compensation case over the Fortescue Solomon mining hub.
ACT | Senate estimates are due in federal parliament.
Victoria | Hearings continue in the police capsicum spray class action case.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
