Morning Mail: NSW mulls tighter knife laws, private schools ‘overfunded’, judge rebukes Trump
Morning, everyone. After five tumultuous days in Sydney, the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, will be hoping for calm as he considers tightening the laws surrounding the possession of knives in the wake of the Bondi and Wakeley stabbings. We have the latest news and more on the breakaway bishop who was attacked on Monday night. Elsewhere, La Niña could be back by spring, and why every kitchen needs a spurtle.
Australia
Cooler change | The chances of another La Niña weather event – and therefore the prospect of a wetter spring and summer in eastern Australia – are increasing after the Bureau of Meteorology declared the drier El Niño pattern over.
‘Combustible situation’ | Political and religious leaders are pleading for calm amid a “combustible situation” set off by a stabbing at a western Sydney church and subsequent riot, as the state mulls tighter knife laws after two serious stabbing attacks in as many days.
Fenech fix | The Australian boxing champion Jeff Fenech was the unwitting recipient of packages containing narcotics as part of an alleged drug trafficking organisation that operated between Los Angeles and Australia, according to US court documents.
Class divide | Three of Sydney’s wealthiest private schools received double the federal funding they were entitled to last year under the official resource standard, new data shows, despite the introduction of reforms to tackle overfunding.
Powering ahead | Australians have chosen hybrids over EVs for the third quarter in row, new figures show today, as sales of conventional cars continue to decline.
World
Middle East crisis | The US and the EU are considering rapid new sanctions against Iran in the wake of Tehran’s large-scale air attack on Israel, while trying to pressure Tel Aviv not to escalate by striking back at Iran. The United Nations has voiced grave concern about escalating violence in the West Bank, demanding that Israeli security forces “immediately” stop supporting settler attacks on Palestinians in the occupied territory.
Trump on trial | Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office have filed a motion for contempt against Donald Trump for breaking a gag order imposed in his hush money case. But dozens of New Yorkers have ruled themselves out of serving on the jury because they can’t be impartial, as the judge rebukes the former president over juror intimidation.
Brussels block | Authorities in Brussels have ordered the closure of a rightwing conference that was addressed by British politicians including Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman.
Smoking vote | The UK’s House of Commons has voted in favour of Rishi Sunak’s bill to ban smoking for future generations – but dozens of Tory MPs defied their leader to oppose it.
Copenhagen fire | Firefighters have been battling a huge blaze that engulfed the Danish capital’s historic former stock exchange, toppled its distinctive spire and threatened one of Denmark’s most valuable art collections.
Fare deal | People living close to Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona are celebrating after the local bus route was removed from Google and Apple maps, meaning the number 116 service is no longer crammed with tourists.
Full Story
Is the Middle East on the brink?
After Iran launched an attack on Israel, is the region heading for all-out war? Emma Graham-Harrison reports.
In-depth
The Sydney church attack has inflamed tensions between different communities across the city. Our reporters talk to people living in the area, people who have known the ultra-rightwing bishop for decades, and worshippers at his church who say the intense response to his stabbing comes from his popularity. “People love him,” said one. “You have to understand, he has brought young people to the church, he has addressed social issues, he is on top of everything.”
Not the news
The food writer Elizabeth Quinn reckons that she has eight must-have kitchen gadgets and argues that once you have them you’ll never be able to live without them. So, from a wooden spurtle to a soda water maker, and from a meat thermometer to a champagne bottle sealer, you can judge for yourself – although, on a personal note, I’ve never felt the need for the latter.
The world of sport
Basketball | The WNBA draft has featured the largest number of Australian women in more than two decades, including Nyadiew Puoch. And, in a golden age of older talent, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durrant and Joel Embiid will headline a formidable USA men’s squad for the Paris Olympics.
Champions League | Barcelona are battling a dominant PSG while Dortmund hope to overturn a deficit against Atletico Madrid in this morning’s quarter-final ties.
Cricket | The Kookaburra ball will be used full-time in the English County Championship after the England men’s team director Rob Key said an early season experiment had been successful.
Media roundup
The church stabbing dominates today’s coverage, with the Sydney Morning Herald arguing that the divisions it exposes will provide Anthony Albanese with his toughest test. The Daily Telegraph has an exclusive on the “impossible choice” faced by the partner of the Bondi stabbing victim Ashlee Good, while the Age promises to take us “inside” the wellbeing centre linked to a suspected mushroom poisoning near Ballarat.
What’s happening today
Olympics | The Australian team’s uniform is to be unveiled while there is a Senate hearing into Australia’s Olympic preparedness, with 100 days to go before the Games.
Immigration detention | The ASF17 v commonwealth of Australia case will be heard at the high court.
Canberra | Richard Marles will address the National Press Club
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
