Morning everyone. Alarm over the current extreme weather sweeping the northern hemisphere and what it means for the rest of the world will be ratcheted up another notch today with fears that the vitally important Gulf Stream system in the Atlantic ocean could collapse in as little as two years (though 2050 is more likely, and there is some debate among scientists). At home we have an exclusive report on the transparency questions over a multimillion-dollar contract dating to the Turnbull era, and concerns mount for whales stranded on a Western Australian beach. Plus: the mysterious case of China’s vanishing foreign minister.
Australia
Whale rescue | A rescue effort is under way in Western Australia to save a large pod of at least 50 pilot whales stranded on a beach on the south coast near Albany.
Exclusive | The Turnbull government awarded a $33m grant to a company that was developing a mental health app after months of lobbying from one of its own mental health commissioners who was also a shareholder in the months-old startup. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the former mental health commissioner, Prof Ian Hickie.
Harbour threat | Globals calls are growing for a curbs on salmon and trout farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour to save the critically endangered Maugean skate.
Rinehart court battle | Gina Rinehart was aware that an iron ore-rich tenement from which her company has made billions was jointly owned by another company before she signed a deal with Rio Tinto to mine it, a court has been told. However, Hancock Prospecting maintains it undertook all the work, bore the financial risk involved in the development and is the legitimate owner of the assets.
Timber plan | Labor branches want the Albanese government to publicly fund a plantation industry to supply the timber of the future and end native forest logging.
World
Climate crisis point | The Gulf stream system that pushes warm currents to northern Europe could collapse as soon as 2025, much sooner than expected and bringing catastrophic climate impacts, a new study suggests. More extreme weather in Europe has killed four people in northern Italy and seen wildfires encircle Palermo in Sicily (pictured) and the beach resorts of Algeria.
Qin Gang gone | China’s foreign minister, Qin Gang, who has not been seen in public for almost a month, has been removed from office and replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi, China’s top legislative body said.
Singapore execution | Singapore is due to execute a woman for the first time in almost 20 years on Friday, one of two killings planned for this week. The Singaporean national was found guilty of trying to smuggle heroin.
Sudan deaths | At least 18 people have been killed in the Sudanese city of Omdurman as the war between the national army chief and his former deputy continues.
Master and Commander | Joe Biden’s German shepherd, Commander, is in the dog house after it emerged that it had been involved in several biting incidents, including attacking a Secret Service agent.
Full Story
‘The most important cassette on the planet’: Steely Dan’s holy grail
For years, fans of the American rock group Steely Dan (pictured) sought a lost tape of a track wiped by accident in 1979. But the family of recording engineer Roger Nichols have found a never-before-heard version, sparking great excitement. Guardian Australia audio producer Joe Koning goes reeling in the years.
In-depth
A two-minute Channel Seven news story about cancelled tree planting ceremonies in Western Australia has become symbolic of the voice referendum no side’s mastery of the false narrative. The now-viral segment never mentions the voice, but it was seized upon by the no campaign and far-right opponents to leverage suspicion and misinformation.
Not the news
Luke Buckmaster admits he’s not normally one to advocate for remakes. But our screen critic is prepared to make an exception for the “prophetic” Max Headroom. Older readers may recall the 80s cyberpunk series in which the actor Matt Frewer pretended to be a computer-generated TV presenter. Now that the technology has actually arrived, a US remake looks again into the dystopian future.
The world of sport
Women’s World Cup | Matildas captain Sam Kerr will “definitely” play in the tournament, according to Caitlin Foord, despite being forced to miss at least the first two games with a calf injury. But at least her teammates are finding ways to relax ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Nigeria, including Xbox, table tennis and toddlers.
‘Inappropriate’ question | The BBC has apologised after one of its reporters asked Morocco’s football captain an “inappropriate” question about LGBTQ+ players before the team’s Women’s World Cup match against Germany in Melbourne.
Swimming | Kaylee McKeown, Australia’s triple Olympic gold medalist, made up for being disqualified from the women’s 200m individual medley by taking gold in the 100m backstroke at the world championship in Japan.
Women’s cricket | Ellyse Perry has suffered a minor knee injury as she helped lead Australia to a convincing 153-run one-day win over Ireland in Dublin.
Men’s Ashes | England batsman Harry Brook says his team is targeting a “moral victory” in the final Test starting at the Oval tomorrow.
Media roundup
No cost-benefit analysis has been done for $2bn in legacy projects the Victorian government is promising regional cities to make up for losing the Commonwealth Games, the Age says. NRL boss Peter V’landys has launched a stinging attack on the “selfish” players union for boycotting the Dally M, according to the Daily Telegraph.
What’s happening today
Consumer | Federal court ruling in ACCC case against Facebook for false, misleading or deceptive conduct when promoting Onavo Protect mobile app.
New South Wales | Directions in civil case brought against RFS from family of American firefighters killed in plane crash.
Sport | Federal sport minister Anika Wells and the Australian Sports Commission boss will announce support for athletes headed to the 2024 Paris Games.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
