Morning Mail: Socceroos fever mounts, race to save Venezuela quake victims, Perth’s Hollywood paddock

Morning everyone. The Socceroos stand on the brink of another run into the knockout stages of the World Cup as they face Paraguay at midday in a match that will, surely, stop the nation.

Rescuers are racing to save thousands of people feared trapped under rubble after the devastating earthquake in Venezuela.

Plus, we examine the prospects for the Community Strong Australia party, tell you what you need to know about Labor’s super tweak, and can you bring Hollywood to a cow paddock outside Perth?

Australia

‘Long way to go’ | Leah Stewart, who was attacked by a great white shark at Sydney’s Coogee beach, is no longer in a critical condition and “remembers the whole event in detail”, her brother has said.

Socceroos fever | It’s been 40 years in the making but SBS’s devotion and commitment to the world game might finally pay dividends this lunchtime when the Socceroos line up against Paraguay for a crunch World Cup clash that might just stop the nation. Emily Mulligan will be watching.

Party plan | Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender have launched their Community Strong Australia party, and we examine what it will stand for and who they will appeal to.

Super impact | Labor will close a loophole that lets superannuation funds borrow to invest in housing. Our economics editor explains what’s changed.

No show | Karl Stefanovic will not appear on his scheduled afternoon radio show today with Eddie McGuire after widespread criticism of his podcast interview with UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson. In breaking news, Nine has confirmed he will leave the network immediately.

World

Rescue race | Rescue teams are racing to Venezuela’s shattered northern coast after two almost simultaneous earthquakes reduced dozens of buildings to rubble, with thousands of people feared dead. The lucky ones who escaped tell of being “paralysed by fear”.

Heat emergency | Europe has seen more record-breaking temperatures overnight. Conditions were linked to the death of a third toddler in France as education unions urge staff to strike over “unacceptable working conditions”.

War chest | Iran has rejected UN-backed plans for the mass evacuation of ships through the strait of Hormuz, creating a new threat to the foundering peace deal. In Washington, the White House has requested Congress approve US$87.6bn in new war funding.

‘Disastrous’ | Lawmakers and immigration advocacy groups have denounced two US supreme court rulings that allowed the Trump administration to severely strip certain immigration protections.

Leo threat | A far-right Catholic sect’s plan to ordain its own bishops next week has placed it on a collision course with the Vatican.

World Cup

Socceroos latest | They may only need a draw but Tony Popovic insists his Socceroos team will go into the crunch match with Paraguay this lunchtime with the intention of winning.

Match catch-up | First up today has been Curaçao playing Côte d’Ivoire, and Germany are up against Ecuador. Scotland’s hopes hang by a thread after their dismal performances, while much-fancied Senegal are also staring at the exit door.

Off the pitch | More than a dozen people have been injured after a vehicle ⁠drove through ​a crowd in the popular tourist resort of Cabo San Lucas during a celebration of ⁠Mexico’s World Cup victory over Czechia.

What to watch today | At 9am it’s Japan v Sweden and Tunisia v Netherlands, then at midday Australia take on Paraguay and the USA face Turkey.

Full Story

Newsroom edition: What can Albanese learn from Starmer’s fall?

Josephine Tovey speaks to Mike Ticher, Gabrielle Jackson and Guardian Australia’s international editor, Virginia Harrison, about how Anthony Albanese can avoid Starmer’s fate.

In-depth

Conducting a fawning podcast interview with Tommy Robinson has cost Karl Stefanovic his job. But who is the British far-right political activist?

Not the news

As Australia draws in more and more international film production, Rosamund Brennan meets the man pioneering a $290m studio on a former cow paddock outside Perth that he hopes can rival Sydney and Melbourne for Hollywood projects.

Sport

Cricket | England have been suffering in the heat at Trent Bridge as New Zealand reached 361-4 at the end of the first day of the second Test.

Formula One | Formula One’s governing body has declared a heat ⁠hazard for the Austrian Grand Prix.

Basketball | Indiana Fever’s coach has sounded off at WNBA officials after star player Caitlin Clark took several hard uncalled hits during a loss to the Phoenix Mercury.

Media roundup

The 45% plunge in the shares of Judo Bank shows demand for loans is falling, the Fin Review says. Nine is looking to an internal candidate to replace Karl Stefanovic after failing to poach Sunrise host Matt Shirvington, the Telegraph claims. James Hird’s bid for the Essendon job has stalled and he needs a plan B, according to the Herald Sun.

What’s happening today

Wildlife | NSW deputy chief veterinary officer gives a media conference in Orange on the bird flu outbreak.

Resources | Judgment in Lock the Gate Alliance v Tamboran B2 over NT fracking at federal court in Sydney.

Melbourne | Bail decision at magistrates court for one of two women returned from Syrian detention camps.

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Brain teaser

And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.

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