Morning everyone. “People should not be betting with money they do not have,” says the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, as she makes a strong case for the government’s attempt to ban gamblers from topping up their wagering accounts with credit cards. We’re also reporting on calls for the Anglican church to rethink its decision not to defrock Peter Hollingworth, and we look back at the life of controversial talkshow host Jerry Springer, whose show gave us segments such as “Married to your dad but want you back”.
Australia
‘Sickened’ | Two women who complained about the former governor general Peter Hollingworth’s handling of child abuse complaints have requested the Anglican church review its decision not to defrock him, saying they were “sickened” by the outcome.
Betting brake | Gamblers will soon be barred from using credit cards for online betting – reckoned to be about 20% of deposits in wagering accounts – with the federal government to introduce new legislation banning the payment method within months. Meanwhile, bookies Ladbrokes and Neds have become the first companies to be fined for accepting in-play bets after a game has begun.
Power surge | Record levels of renewable energy have helped bring down wholesale power prices and reduce emissions this year, with spot prices now two-thirds lower than in June last year.
Networks ranked | Optus has been ranked the best overall mobile network for availability, according to Open Signal’s latest review, while Vodafone leads for 5G availability. Telstra ranked most consistent user experience overall.
Enough said | Flume took home the top prize at the Apra music awards last night, winning song of the year for his “post-relationship” track Say Nothing.
World
Jerry Springer dies | The talkshow host Jerry Springer, whose influential, eponymous daytime TV show featured guests who engaged in excessive and often overtly sexual behaviour, has died aged 79.
Sudan strife | Renewed clashes in Khartoum and in south-west Sudan have raised fears that the current three-day ceasefire due to expire this morning will not be extended and fighting will instead intensify. A UK doctor has told about her daring escape from the conflict frontline.
Kenya killings | One of Kenya’s highest-profile pastors is facing charges over the “mass killing of his followers”, the government has said, just days after the discovery of dozens of bodies linked to another church.
‘Blagging … or bribery’ | Hugh Grant has claimed the Sun burgled his flat and placed a tracking device in his car in an attempt to obtain stories about his personal life as phone hacking cases continued in London.
Small mercies | Spain’s parliament has banned “comic” bullfighting events featuring dwarves dressed in costumes, in a decision applauded by disability rights groups.
Full Story
Fox News and the consequences of lies, with Lenore Taylor
After a busy week for the Murdoch family in the US, Britain and Australia, editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor and head of news Mike Ticher discuss the News Corp empire, Fox News and the media.
In-depth
It’s not even summer in the northern hemisphere but Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam have seen record temperatures for the time of year. The continent has already endured weeks of “endless record heat”, forcing the closure of schools and surges in energy use. In Europe, the Spanish government has advised people to take extra care as the drought-hit country experiences its own record-breaking temperatures, which could result in an unprecedented April temperature of 39C in some parts of Andalucía today.
Not the news
Playwright Suzie Miller is on a high after her legal drama Prima Facie won an Olivier award (Miller pictured above with producer James Bierman and star Jodie Comer), and made a triumphant Broadway debut. She talks to Elissa Blake about her early career as a lawyer, the snobbery of London theatre circles, and living with a young Boy George in a run-down terrace house.
The world of sport
Football | Sam Kerr’s Chelsea are out of the Women’s Champions League after drawing 1-1 in their semi-final, second leg in Barcelona, losing 2-1 on aggregate.
Netball | Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich has named 11 of the 12 Commonwealth Games winners in the squad for the World Cup in South Africa in July.
Formula One | Lewis Hamilton has expressed cautious optimism that his Mercedes team are on the right track in terms of improving their car after a miserable start to the 2023 Formula One season.
Media roundup
An Australian fashion designer has won a court battle against pop star Katy Perry after a long-running trademark dispute over her name, the ABC reports. The speed limit along a stretch of road in Victoria’s north will be reduced after five people were killed in a multi vehicle crash, the Age says. And the Cairns Post celebrates a local artist winning the Archibald Packing Room prize.
What’s happening today
Perth | Voice referendum hearings in Perth where Ken Wyatt will be attending.
Energy | Liddell coal power station in New South Wales will close after 52 years.
Sydney | Judgment on extension of time applications in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Network Ten and News Corp; and first case management hearing in his case against the ABC.
Sign up
Enjoying the Morning Mail? Then you’ll love our Afternoon Update newsletter. Sign up here to finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news, and complete your daily news roundup.
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.
