Morning, everyone. Donald Trump has threatened to ramp up his economic assault on some of America’s biggest trading partners, vowing to impose new tariffs on countries that target products made in the US within weeks. We’ve also got the latest on the shock decision overnight to drop a Lebanon-born artist as Australia’s representative at the Venice Biennale, the category-five cyclone intensifying off the Western Australian coast and Ukraine’s warning not to trust Vladimir Putin.
Australia
Sabsabi dropped | Khaled Sabsabi, the western Sydney artist who fled Lebanon’s civil war as a child, has been dropped from representing Australia at the 61st Venice Biennale amid criticism of his appointment. Creative Australia, which only announced its pick five days ago, cited the need to avoid “divisive debate”.
Citizenship test | Peter Dutton’s proposal to toughen citizenship-stripping laws in response to comments recorded by two New South Wales nurses would probably require a referendum, a constitutional lawyer says.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia | Schools, ports and roads have been closed as the north-west of Australia braces for a tropical cyclone that has developed into a destructive category-five system with fears of ferocious wind gusts up to 320km/h. It is expected to make landfall between Port Hedland and Roebourne this evening.
Care warning | The NSW Labor government is seeking to “redesign” the state’s mental health system without psychiatrists despite the risks to patient care, its political rivals claim.
Exclusive | Victoria’s RSL clubs have held a “crisis meeting” to discuss a row about gambling revenue, with some warning they may close due to financial pressures and others calling for the charity to stop funding the state’s largest Anzac Day service.
World
Munich ‘attack’ | A 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker has driven a car into a trade union demonstration in Munich, injuring at least 28 people, in a suspected attack that is likely to inflame tensions before this month’s election in which immigration is one of the main points of contention.
Trump threatens new tariffs | The US will impose “reciprocal” duties, the US president announced yesterday. “We want a level playing field,” Donald Trump declared. No new specific tariffs were announced. Instead, Trump signed a presidential memorandum ordering the development of a comprehensive plan to address what the White House described as “longstanding imbalances” in the global economy. The other big news from Washington is that Robert Kennedy Jr has been confirmed as the new health secretary despite Democrats saying he is “not remotely qualified”.
Zelenskyy plea | Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has warned world leaders that they cannot trust Vladimir Putin’s claim he is ready to end the war and called for a united Ukraine, European and US position for talks. Follow developments live. Germany’s defence minister said the US should not have made concessions to Russia before peace negotiations. Moscow is buoyant after Putin’s call with Trump handed the Russian president the diplomatic breakthrough he has craved.
Hit delete | Elon Musk says the US should “delete entire agencies” from the federal government as a part of his Trump-endorsed strategy to make huge cuts in government spending. His comments came as it emerged the US government will spend $400m buying new Tesla armoured vehicles.
Roman find | The remains of London’s earliest Roman basilica have been discovered under an office block.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: how the hell do you deal with Trump?
Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia’s editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and deputy editor Patrick Keneally about how Anthony Albanese is dealing with Donald Trump.
In-depth
Animal welfare experts and advocates have questioned whether an Australian-led study that involved the non-fatal strangling of rats as part of research into the impact of intimate partner violence in humans should have been approved. Petra Stock finds out more.
Not the news
With his customary wit and artistry, our sports cartoonist, David Squires, satirises the way in which sports fans are subjected to a relentless assault by gambling ads while watching matches on television.
Sport
Matildas | Football chiefs face a tough decision in the coming month over whether Sam Kerr should remain as captain of the national side after her trial in the UK.
Football | Liverpool and Everton have issued a joint statement to condemn racist abuse directed at Abdoulaye Doucouré after Wednesday’s volcanic Merseyside derby, and are working with police to identify those responsible.
Cricket | Brendon McCullum has defended England’s training schedule after criticism of his side’s work ethic during their 3-0 one-day international series defeat by India as they head into a Champions Trophy clash with Australia.
Media roundup
Peter Dutton is planning an assault on Labor’s “red wall” seats, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, but will it win him the election? As Melbourne endured another scorching day, the Age went out to measure how the heat compares in each suburb. Plans for a huge new hospital and 1,000 homes in Adelaide’s southern suburbs have been leaked, the Advertiser reveals.
What’s happening today
Canberra | A parliamentary inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles will hold a public hearing.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
