Good morning. Australia is not prepared for how Antarctic ice changes could pummel the country’s economy, a leading Antarctic scientist is warning. Prof Matt King says he finds it embarrassing how little is known about the local and global ramifications of the accelerated melting – which he says could transform the country and affect the viability of some agricultural industries.
Meanwhile, a new deal guarantees gas supply for Australia’s south-east coast as the government put the finishing touches to new cost-of-living relief, the death toll in Gaza passes 25,000, and Alex de Minaur is out of the Australian Open after losing a four-hour epic.
Australia
Exclusive | The state of Antarctica is seen as an environmental problem but it’s an all-of-government problem, Prof Matt King says – and the continent needs a champion in government who can drive a multi-decade agenda.
Energy | In a new deal between the federal government and gas giants, the south-east coast will be further guaranteed gas supply in an effort to keep lights on and energy bills affordable. It comes ahead of a snap caucus meeting called by the prime minister to discuss cost-of-living relief measures.
Conservation | More than twice as many plants, animals and habitats were added to the national list of threatened wildlife in 2023 than in any year since the list was established, according to analysis by the Australian Conservation Foundation.
Immigration | A child was among eight asylum seekers who were returned to their country of origin after being sent from Australia to Nauru.
Law | The Law Council of Australia is decrying proposed changes that would remove cost barriers for applicants in sexual harassment and discrimination cases – suggesting they could result in “arbitrary and unintended consequences” such as clogging the courts with “unmeritorious” claims.
World
Israel-Gaza war | Hamas described the 7 October attack as a “necessary step” as the number of deaths in Gaza from Israeli air strikes passed 25,000. The UN secretary general condemned the killings as “heartbreaking” and “unprecedented”.
Far-right | More than 100,000 people protested at about 100 locations in Germany in response to the far-right AfD party’s meeting with neo-Nazis to discuss deporting those it deems have failed to integrate, including German citizens.
Monarchy | Staff at Britain’s National Archives censored documents that show how Queen Elizabeth II concealed details of a relative’s wealth from the public – then returned the redacted files to the public domain.
US presidency | Donald Trump rebuked “dictator” Joe Biden in front of ardent fans in New Hampshire. The Biden re-election campaign rolled out a new campaign ad, signalling a shift in emphasis to reproductive rights.
Ukraine war | At least 25 people have been killed in the shelling of a shopping area in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, which local officials in the Russian-controlled city blamed on Kyiv. Ukrainian drones were reportedly behind an attack on Russia’s port city of St Petersburg.
Full Story
Can the Australian economy pull of a miracle in 2024?
Last year was a horror one for household budgets as Australians struggled against rising interest rates, soaring rents and cost-of-living pressures. Will things get better or worse in 2024? Guardian Australia’s economics correspondent Peter Hannam tells Jane Lee about the certainties and uncertainties that lie ahead.
In-depth
Here is the horrifying story of an Alabama man who is one of two Americans to survive a prison execution. This week the state will make another attempt to kill Kennedy Smith, using an untested gas method, after the torment of his failed lethal injection in 2022.
“I am not ready for that,” Smith, who has PTSD from the four-hour ordeal of his first execution, told the Guardian. “Not in no kind of way. I’m just not ready, brother.”
Not the news
A spectacular brass guard that would have protected the sword arm of a high-ranking Roman soldier some 1,800 years ago has been reconstructed from more than 100 fragments found at Trimontium, the Roman fort complex in Scotland.
Made in the second century – with brass strips overlapping like an armadillo’s scales – it is one of only three known from the whole Roman empire, and the most intact.
The world of sport
Australian Open | Hopes of a home winner in the men’s singles at the Australian Open are over after Alex de Minaur was beaten 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-0 by Andrey Rublev in the last 16.
Fifa | Gianni Infantino called for an automatic forfeit of games for football teams whose fans commit racist abuse.
Sporting moment | Kieran Pender explains why Cadel Evans’ 2011 Tour de France triumph was Australia’s greatest sporting moment. Round one of our poll has closed – the top 10 will be revealed and the final voting round kicks off today.
Media roundup
The Australian reports that a business visa program which makes up a quarter of all the nation’s migration allocations has been quietly axed by Labor over claims it has had a negative impact on the economy. Tenants are under additional cost-of-living pressure as rents rise faster than wages, the Sydney Morning Herald says. The ABC explores whether mega-fires, which are increasing as the climate crisis escalates, are also contributing to global heating.
What’s happening today
Heat warnings | We’ll have the latest on the effects of Australia’s scorching temperatures this week.
Fair work | A Senate inquiry into fair work legislation will hold a hearing in Canberra.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
