Morning Mail: MPs’ protections under scrutiny; Putin releases jailed US citizen; and National Geographic’s NZ pick

Good morning. After the alleged attack on Helen Haines, MPs have revealed they have been shelling out thousands of dollars to improve their security amid rising concerns over threats facing elected officials.

As we continue our Duty of care investigation, former child detainees have come forward to describe the systemic nature of physical and sexual abuse they allege they suffered within the youth detention system.

Overseas, a US diplomat has dubbed Vladimir Putin a “humanitarian” after he ordered the release of an American held in a Russian prison. And a new literary prize has been launched – for fiction written with AI.

Australia

• Exclusive | Former detainees have alleged a system of state detention in which children – disproportionately of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds – were left vulnerable to abuse.

• MPs’ safety | Security agencies will review safety precautions for MPs’ homes and offices after numerous federal politicians reported they are worried about widening threats after the alleged attack on Helen Haines. The independent MP has lost both her legs but remains in a stable condition in hospital, her husband has said.

• Allergy, or not? | The latest evidence shows up to 90% of those reporting a penicillin allergy in Australia do not have one, prompting a change in guidelines in a bid to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

• Animals in research | More than 1 million mice and nearly 47,000 rats are used in scientific research in Australia annually, according to the first ever nationwide count described as “an overdue first step”.

• Grogonomics | Yes, oil prices are going up, but let’s not pretend companies importing the oil are struggling. No, they are passing on the costs and then some, Greg Jericho writes.

World

• Russia-Ukraine war | Vladimir Putin ordered the release of an American from a Russian jail as he met with Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg for fresh talks on ending the war in Ukraine; the US feeds Putin with lies as Ukraine’s children take cover and die, Andrew Roth writes.

• French unrest | As further protests loom, Emmanuel Macron has accused Donald Trump and other foreign leaders of making “stupid comments” about France’s street unrest for their own political gain.

• West Bank tension | A US photojournalist has recounted how Palestinian youths helped save her from attack by Israeli settlers; the Israeli military has detained about 80 US, Israeli and British volunteers helping Palestinians harvest olives near Bethlehem, including the New York Democrat Brad Lander.

• Russell Brand trial | A woman told Russell Brand he had treated her “like an animal” after an alleged assault at his London townhouse that left her bleeding for days and in pain, a court has heard.

• ‘Serious incident’ | Taiwanese prosecutors have charged five men over a plot to ram a car into a comedian who made fun of the Chinese Communist party and compared Xi Jinping to Winnie-the-Pooh.

• Booksmart? | After months of controversy over the possible use of AI by the winners of prestigious literary awards, tech entrepreneurs have now launched a prize to reward fiction co-written with AI.

Full Story

Can Japan’s firebrand PM survive a second year in power?

One year ago, Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, taking over a party in crisis. Since then, she’s defied the doubters – not just surviving as leader in a country that struggles with its gender politics but winning convincingly at an election in February. But could she be at her most politically dangerous moment yet? Justin McCurry speaks with Reged Ahmad about whether Takaichi can ride out what comes next.

In-depth

This weekend, the first commercial flight will embark from Sydney’s much-anticipated new airport. Passengers will depart from Western Sydney international airport’s architecturally lauded terminals amid much fanfare on Sunday. And so, the title of Australia’s leading secondary airport is now up for grabs. So how different will it be to Melbourne’s own second commercial airport, Avalon?

Not the news

Almost 70 finalists were chosen from 6,000 entries for this year’s New Zealand Geographic photographer of the year competition, with works reflecting the country’s natural environment, wildlife, culture, history and traditions. Photojournalist Mike Scott took first place for his aerial shot of an island of green trees within the bushfire-scorched Tongariro national park, with judges praising his patience and craft.

Sport

• Cricket | Australia collapsed in chaotic fashion to leave South Africa in sight of victory after day four of their second Test.

• Football | In today’s Champions League action, Manchester United have been humbled by Como and German giants Bayern Munich are taking on Arsenal. Follow the rest of the matches here.

• Netball | Australia’s hoodoo continues as New Zealand pile on pain – again – in the Constellation Cup.

• Motorsport | The Austin Grand Prix is about much more than potential for Kimi Antonelli’s first F1 world title, Giles Richards writes.

There are calls for Australia to train “smoke jumpers” to parachute into remote fire grounds as part of a strategic shift to deal with longer and more ferocious bushfires, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Australian government websites are among those exposed to a “critical” software flaw being exploited by hackers, ABC News reports. New data has exposed that outpatient wait times in Tasmania have increased up to 2,111 days at some public clinics, the Mercury reports.

What’s happening today

• NSW | The trial of murder-accused Beau Lamarre-Condon continues at the New South Wales supreme court.

• ACT | A public hearing is being held in Canberra in the joint select committee on artificial intelligence.

• NSW | The BHP annual general meeting is being held at the Sydney Showground.

• NSW | The trial of veteran broadcaster Alan Jones continues in Sydney.

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