Election violence investigated, Trump sacks national security adviser, coal exports hit record high

Exclusive | The Liberal candidate for Bennelong, Scott Yung, appears to be distancing himself from the party as a paid ad tells the Chinese-Australian diaspora that he does not “blindly follow” instructions, highlighting his previous criticism of Scott Morrison.

Election battle | New South Wales police have launched multiple investigations in the past week into alleged violence, intimidation, harassment and antisocial behaviour related to the election, including the smearing of poo across a truck carrying an ad for the Liberal party.

Greens targeted | A Liberal-aligned thinktank running last-minute anti-Greens advertisements targeting young voters received more than $600,000 from the coal industry during last year’s Queensland election, disclosures show. Labor and the Coalition have been accused of going to the election on a “unity ticket” to protect fossil fuels as coal exports hit a record high.

Health check | Labor has made Medicare urgent care clinics the key to its election strategy but critics say there is no long-term evidence they are reducing pressure on emergency departments.

Creative cut | A Coalition government would divert more than 10% of annual government funding for Creative Australia to a Melbourne Jewish cultural project and unspecified broadcasting programs if elected. On a lighter election note, however, our brilliant sports cartoonist David Squires casts the election as the playoff final between the Reds and the Blues, and we ask: “Was the campaign fun?”

Last Waltz | Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz (pictured), and his deputy, Alex Wong, will be leaving their posts after they lost the confidence of other administration officials and found themselves without allies at the White House.

Art of the deal | The Trump administration will approve its first sale of military equipment to Ukraine since Donald Trump took office, in an indication that the minerals deal signed by the two countries this week may open a path to renewed weapons shipments.

Tariff talks? | The US has approached China seeking talks over Trump’s 145% tariffs, a social media account affiliated with Chinese state media has said, potentially signalling Beijing’s openness to negotiations. Trump acknowledged that his tariffs could result in costlier products, saying American children might “have two dolls instead of 30 dolls”. If he wants a new Xbox, he will definitely have to pay more.

Wildfire warnings | Israel declared a national emergency as wildfires continued to threaten swathes of forest and fields and there are also fire warnings in the UK after the sunniest April on record.

Words of wisdom | Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old British woman who lives in a care home in Surrey, has become the world’s oldest woman, crediting her longevity with “never arguing with anyone” and doing “what I like”.