Good morning. Our investigation of Exclusive Brethren schools continues, with today’s story revealing former teachers have claimed that students are only being given access to materials that conform to the church’s “ethos”.
Donald Trump has been formally nominated to be the Republican candidate for the upcoming US election – and he has named the Ohio senator and former “never Trumper” JD Vance as his running mate. The head of the US Secret Service says “reviewed and strengthened” security plans are in place after the attempt on Trump’s life.
Plus: researchers believe a cave found on the moon could make an ideal base for future lunar explorers – and we take a look at support being given to Australia’s youngest Olympic athletes for the Paris Games.
Australia
‘Extreme violence’ | There were concerns about Amber Haigh and her newborn due to an earlier incident at the home of the baby’s father when a woman was found tied up and dead from a gunshot wound, a trial has heard.
Exclusive Brethren schools | Former teachers have claimed that students at schools linked to the fundamentalist sect are given access only to learning materials that conform to the church’s “ethos”.
Climate crisis | It’s been revealed that Australia’s big banks lent $3.6bn to fossil fuel expansion projects in 2023, which activists say puts the banks in “complete violation” of climate commitments.
Guardian Essential Poll | Less than 40% of Australians are satisfied with how democracy is working and 75% believe politicians enter politics to serve their own interests, our survey suggests.
‘Wouldn’t bury a bag of bones’ | Elizabeth Struhs’ father told a coronial counsellor that he didn’t believe in funerals after the death of his eight-year-old daughter in 2022, a Queensland court has heard.
World
Donald Trump | The Ohio senator JD Vance has been chosen by Trump as his running mate for the US election. The head of the Secret Service has “reviewed and strengthened” security plans for the Republican national convention; a Florida judge has alarmed Democrats by dismissing Trump’s classified documents case.
Gaza crisis | Israeli air and naval strikes have continued to pummel Gaza as the UK foreign secretary reiterated his demands for a ceasefire in meetings with Israeli officials in Jerusalem.
Lunar exploration | Researchers have found evidence for a large underground cave on the moon that is accessible from the surface – making it a prime location to build a future lunar base.
Jay Slater | Rescue teams on the Spanish island of Tenerife have discovered the body of a young man in the area where a British teenager disappeared in June after going to a rave with friends.
French fractures | The leftwing coalition that won most seats in France’s snap election faces division after its leading party said it would suspend talks over a failure to agree on a prime minister.
Full Story
Mona’s fake Picassos: performance or prank?
Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art prides itself on being provocative. Mona has courted controversy on numerous occasions, but critics say the latest stunt has gone a step too far. The privately owned gallery has admitted to creating and displaying fake Picasso paintings for more than three years. Kelly Burke tells Nour Haydar why she first suspected the Picassos were fake.
In-depth
It’s a matter of film legend that the Mad Max movie franchise was inspired by long flat Australian country roads, where speed limits are theoretical and carnage is regular. Regional Australians are five times more likely to die in road crashes than people in cities, according to analysis by the Australian Automobile Association. In the last few years, the road toll has surged and experts don’t really know why – so what are we doing about it?
Not the news
Ten of Australia’s 460 athletes preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games are aged under 18, including three skateboarders who are expected to be in medal contention. It’s not an easy environment to enter as a young person so the Australian team have taken extra steps to look after them. Chaperones are all preparing to accompany the new wave of young teenagers about to compete for Australia at the Paris Games.
The world of sport
Rugby league | NSW are ignoring history as they embark on State of Origin mission impossible, writes Jack Snape. The Great Britain brand may be revived to replace England for next year’s tour of Australia.
Basketball | Jock Landale finished with 20 points as the Boomers lost 98-92 to the US in a pre-Olympics warmup match.
Olympics | Samoa has only ever won one Olympic medal but the Pacific nation’s small team of weightlifters is eyeing glory.
Cricket | Pat Cummins has been rested for Australia’s white-ball tour of UK amid burnout concerns.
Media roundup
Almost 32,000 homes will be built near transport hubs under sweeping planning reforms as the NSW government looks to speed up construction amid Sydney’s housing crisis, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Developers of giant batteries designed to smooth Australia’s shift from coal to cleaner power are attracting record levels of investment, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
NSW | The two-day Australian Clean Energy Summit will begin in Sydney.
ACT | Hearings are scheduled in Canberra in the parliamentary inquiry into potential opportunities and impacts of using AI in Australia.
NSW | The trial of Robert and Anne Geeves, accused of the murder of Amber Haigh, continues at the supreme court.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
