Morning everyone. Part of Peter Dutton’s electoral calculus about his plan to build nuclear power stations is that his base strongly supports the idea. If so, that support will be put to the test if – as we report – Queensland is earmarked as the site of two plants when he unveils the long-awaited details of the policy today.
Such a move would pit the federal Coalition against the Queensland LNP, with David Crisafulli, the state leader, saying he would not repeal the state’s nuclear ban if elected. We also report on how Australia’s biggest companies made nearly $100bn in “crisis profits” – and could the Tories face an “extinction-level event” in the UK election?
Australia
Border ‘intervention’ | The Australian Border Force has “intervened” at the border to ask further questions of at least three Australians suspected of planning to travel to Israel to serve in the country’s military.
Going nuclear | Queensland is emerging as the nuclear capital under the Coalition, with speculation it could be home to up to two reactors in the opposition’s energy plan. Peter Dutton has called a party room meeting for 8.30 this morning and details of the plan are expected later, with existing generation sites at Stanwell, Tarong, Callide and Gladstone all under consideration.
‘Crisis profits’ | Australia’s 500 biggest companies made $98bn in “crisis profits” off the back of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine, according to a new report by Oxfam Australia. Woolworths, Hancock Prospecting, NAB, AGL and Harvey Norman reaped billions of dollars in profits, more than 20% above their 2018 to 2021 average.
Logging ‘loophole’ | Cattle Australia has argued that clearing forests which have grown in after 1990 should not be considered deforestation by international supply chains, exploiting what conservationists called a “loophole”.
World
Vlad visit | Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for a summit with Kim Jong-un, amid US warnings against any agreement that could add to military pressure on Ukraine and raise tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Tory terrors | Labour is heading for a landslide win in the election, according to a new projection, but more than 100 Conservative-held seats appear to be on a knife-edge with the party in a very deep hole. Keep on top of what’s going on with our Campaign catchup.
French fright | The French far-right leader Jordan Bardella has criticised footballer Kylian Mbappé over his call for young people to vote against the “extremes” in parliamentary elections this month.
Drone alarm | Hezbollah has published a video of what it says is drone footage of locations in Israel, including the sea and air ports of the northern city of Haifa, underlining the security threat posed by the Lebanon-based militia.
Timberlake charge | The pop star and actor Justin Timberlake is facing a charge of driving while intoxicated in the Hamptons in New York.
Full Story
The deeply troubling world of deepfakes
After the fake images scandal in Victoria, investigations reporter Ariel Bogle speaks to Nour Haydar about the dangers of deepfakes.
In-depth
As the online therapy service BetterHelp looks to expand its Australian operations and customer base, mental health experts are concerned the US company’s subscription model risks creating therapeutic issues. They worry that based on the way the sessions are set up, problems could emerge such as poor boundaries, codependency and the chance that the client can feel forgotten.
Not the news
The Jonestown massacre in 1978 is one of the most infamous mass killings in history and a new documentary series on Disney+ draws on previously unseen footage and interviews with survivors to tell the shocking story of how 918 people died in north-west Guyanan – including a US congressman and an NBC reporter. Reviewing Cult Massacre: One Day in Jonestown, Adrian Horton writes that it is “a case study of the worst possible outcome of megalomania, isolation, pressure, sustained coercive control and idealism curdled into paranoia”.
The world of sport
Euro 2024 | Turkey won a thunderous Group F match against debutants Georgia 3-1 in Dortmund overnight while Portugal take on the Czechs this morning. Kylian Mbappé could miss the rest of the group stage after breaking his nose in France’s victory over Austria.
T20 World Cup | England are preparing to take on the West Indies under the lights in St Lucia with concerns about their lack of batting time so far.
NBA | They may not be as multitalented as the Steph Curry Golden State team, but the champions Boston Celtics have fashioned themselves into a similar winning machine.
Media roundup
Labor are planning legislation to break up the CFMEU, according to the Australian. Retiring NSW Liberal Matt Kean fired a parting shot at the state treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, after the latter presented his budget yesterday, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Brisbane’s worst suburbs for mortgage defaults are mapped in the Courier Mail after the RBA again kept rates on hold.
What’s happening today
Queensland | An inquiry is taking place into a fatal MRH-90 Taipan army helicopter crash in Brisbane.
Ecology | A conference in Albury on the state of the Murray-Darling Basin will be held.
Sydney | The federal opposition MP Paul Fletcher is to deliver a speech at UNSW on digital service delivery.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
