
Morning Mail covers Melbourne tobacco trade violence affecting businesses, ten South Australian restaurants awarded Michelin stars, Donald Trump's inflationary impact worsening, debate over US-style tipping culture entering Australia, Albanese government's proposed 30% tax on discretionary trust income, death of actor Gary Waddell at 74, Sally Rooney withdrawing books from UK sales over Palestine Action support, Russell Brand convicted as sexual predator, Ukraine's Starlink access restricted amid Trump administration pressure, container ship sunk near Strait of Hormuz amid Iranian attacks on shipping, UK tiger attack victim's family distressed by Trump-reposted video, US midterms previewed with high inflation, rise of cashless payment tipping screens in Australia, Peak District hotel as shrine to Australian cricket legends, women's rugby league and cricket updates, Manchester United sporting director promotion questioned, media warnings on fake parking payments and Pilbara job cuts at BHP.
AI-generated summary
The Morning Mail is a daily newsletter from Guardian Australia covering national and international news, business, politics, sport, and culture. It includes regular segments on economic data releases, government announcements, and cultural tributes.
Morning everyone.
We look at the collateral damage to businesses in Melbourne’s tobacco wars, 10 restaurants in South Australia have been awarded Michelin stars, Donald Trump’s inflationary headwind worsens, and is US-style tipping culture creeping in to Australia?
Australia
Star performers | Ten South Australian restaurants have scooped up one Michelin star each. One of them, the Magill Estate Restaurant at the Penfolds winery, has won two of the globally celebrated awards.
Tobacco price | While the gangland war of the tobacco trade continues to rage in Melbourne, Adeshola Ore talks to a couple whose dream went up in smoke when the tobacconist next to their cafe in North Carlton was allegedly firebombed.
Flight path | Western Sydney International airport will be opening for commercial traffic next month. Find out how to get there, how much it will cost, and whether it will be cheaper to fly to and from.
Matter of trusts | The Albanese government’s plan to levy a minimum 30% tax on income from discretionary trusts has caused much upset, even though it will affect a relatively small number of people with the tax-limiting instruments. Our economics editor picks through how trusts work and what the proposed changes mean.
‘Out of this world’ | The great Australian actor Gary Waddell – known for his role in the 70s cult classic Pure Shit – has died aged 74. Luke Buckmaster pays tribute.
World
Rooney bar | Sally Rooney has said she is being forced to withdraw her books from sale in the UK because of her support for the banned organisation Palestine Action.
Brand ‘predator’ | Russell Brand was a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator who used his celebrity status and force to rape and assault women, a court has heard.
Access denied | Ukraine’s military has suddenly had its access to Starlink satellite internet terminals restricted as the Trump administration has increased pressure on Ukraine to halt long-range strikes on Russia’s oil industry. France’s foreign affairs minister has accused Elon Musk of using his social media platform to allegedly orchestrate “massive online harassment campaigns” against European leaders.
Dire straits | A container ship has sunk near the strait of Hormuz and a second cargo vessel was reportedly sinking amid the sharpest rise in Iranian attacks on shipping since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
‘Severe distress’ | The family of a man killed by a tiger at a wildlife park in the UK have spoken about their “severe distress” at the circulation of online media after Donald Trump reposted a video of the incident.
Full Story
Everything you need to know about the midterms – Decoding America
Co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy talk about next month’s midterms, which Republicans are entering with the highest rate of inflation since the American spring, according to figures overnight.
In-depth
The ubiquity of cashless payments screens has given rise to tick boxes asking customers to give a tip. This Americanisation of the service industry goes against longstanding Australian culture of only tipping in exceptional circumstances, critics tell Isabella Lee.
Not the news
A small hotel tucked away in the English Peak District is an unexpected shrine to Australia’s legendary cricket teams. It’s where Bradman, McCabe, Hassett, Miller et al left memorabilia galore, along with stories of goats, swims in the Derwent, and hiring a Rolls-Royce when late for a match.
Sport
Women’s rugby league | The women’s Rugby League World Cup kicks off with Australia playing Samoa at Western Sydney Stadium tomorrow night. Megan Maurice assesses who might pose the strongest challenge to the Jillaroos.
Women’s cricket | Australia coasted to an eight-wicket ODI win over Bangladesh to secure a clean sweep of the three-match series after fast bowler Megan Schutt set up the win with a lethal spell.
Football | Amid player unrest, has Manchester United sporting director Jason Wilcox been promoted too fast? There’s a blockbuster Champions League clash to savour this morning between Manchester City and PSG. Follow it live.
Media roundup
The Geelong Advertiser warns drivers to watch out for fake parking payment links and QR codes, with scammers using the EasyPark brand to target people. WAtoday says hundreds of jobs in the Pilbara are at risk from cuts at BHP.
What’s happening today
Victoria | CEDA’s state of the state report with Victoria’s premier, Ben Carroll, at 8.15am.
Economy | ABS release labour force figures at 11.30am, and at 3pm the Reserve Bank publishes its annual report.
Canberra | The communications minister, Anika Wells, addresses 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.
Quick crossword
Cryptic crossword
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AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Albanese government's proposal to levy a minimum 30% tax on income from discretionary trusts will face significant opposition and may be modified before passage.
Likely · Within weeks
US-style tipping culture will continue to spread in Australian cashless payment systems despite cultural resistance.
Possible · Within months
Further incidents of ship attacks or sinkings will occur in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing Iranian actions.
Possible · Within weeks

The AFL has instructed its gambling partner Sportsbet to cease using AI-generated images and memes of players without consent. Meanwhile, Small Business Minister Anne Aly disclosed receiving 19 death threats in one week, Elon Musk donated $366 million to US rightwing political causes, and Josh Hazlewood took 6-49 to lead Australia to a 214-run victory over South Africa in the first Test in Durban.

The wife of Australian democracy activist Tran Hiep says he has been uncontactable for nearly a month after his detention in Vietnam on alleged terrorism charges, describing his situation as 'truly heartbreaking' and noting he spent his 51st birthday alone in a notorious Ho Chi Minh City detention centre.
Over a thousand people gathered at Sorrento Beach in Perth to remember Greg O'Neill, a 63-year-old man killed by a great white shark in September. His son Keelan urged the crowd to embrace life and return to the water, while family and surf lifesaving members shared tributes and called for improved shark safety measures, including a localized barrier.
Two men survived with non-life-threatening injuries after their single-engine light aircraft crashed into a field near the Greenside private airfield in Muchea, north of Perth, on Saturday.
Two men survived with non-life-threatening injuries after a light aircraft crashed into a field near the Greenside private airfield in Muchea, north-east of Perth, on Saturday.
Authorities disbanded a homelessness camp in Perth's south, highlighting a growing crisis driven by rising demand, diverse demographics including dual-income families and elderly individuals, and insufficient accommodation services. Frontline workers report a 36% increase in demand in Perth's north, with people sleeping in cars, unsuitable housing due to pet restrictions, and shortening pathways to homelessness despite increased state funding.