Good morning. Is your smartphone being tracked? Today we look at the forensic services that check phones for digital safety – how and why they do it, and whether the services are up to scratch.
Plus: Spain has suffered devastating and deadly flash floods – in some areas almost an entire year’s worth of rain fell in eight hours. We give you five climate charts that outline the growing risks to Australians, and we deliver timely advice on what to do with the horrific amount of lollies that the nation’s children are about to collect this evening.
Australia
Four Davids and two Nigels | As Queensland’s new premier prepares his frontbench, can he find places for women and multicultural MPs and present a truly moderate LNP?
Digital forensics | Surveillance by spyware is much more rare than the misuse of features such as location sharing, according to experts who help the victim-survivors of family violence audit their phones for security.
State of the climate | A new report from the Bom and CSIRO tells a story of hot days, warm oceans and rising fire risk. Here are five charts that break it down.
Abortion vote | Anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe says she put pressure on the South Australian MP Jing Lee to back out of a voting deal on controversial “forced birth” legislation.
Qantas freebies | Anthony Albanese has issued a statement denying that he ever called former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to ask for a free upgrade, in response to claims that he liaised with Joyce directly about his personal travel before he became PM.
World
Deadly downpour | At least 95 people are dead after torrential rain battered Spain. Flash floods raged through towns and cut off roads and railway lines.
Gaza vow | More than 1,000 figures from the literary and entertainment industry have signed an open letter against “illiberal and dangerous” cultural boycotts, in response to a pledge from other major authors. In other new developments, at least 30 were killed in a fresh Israeli strike on Gaza, and the UN security council has warned against dismantling Unrwa.
US election | Kamala Harris has said people shouldn’t be criticised for who they vote for, after a “garbage” remark from Joe Biden that some interpreted as aimed at Trump supporters. Plus, a look at the fight for Arizona, and Arnold Schwarzenegger backs Harris.
Tax and spend | Britain’s new Labour government has unveiled its first budget, raising taxes by £40bn and boosting investment in schools and the NHS. Plus: the best budget day jokes.
Record wriggler | Scientists have discovered the oldest ever giant tadpole fossil. It lived about 160 million years ago and was about 16cm long.
Full Story
‘We are not robots’: Woolworths workers tracked and timed
What happens when the human body is treated like a machine – pushed to its limit – for the sake of a company’s efficiency standards? Former and current staff at Woolworths allege that the supermarket chain has been cracking down in a way they describe as “bullying” and unsafe, something the company’s supply chain arm denies.
Reged Ahmad asks investigations reporter Ariel Bogle if Woolworths’ warehouse tactics are putting their health and safety at risk.
In-depth
Clearly the government’s actions to lower inflation have worked, writes Greg Jericho. The consumer price index is below 3%. Underlying inflation is also falling and despite low unemployment there has been no wages breakout.
So why is the RBA unlikely to cut interest rates next week? The answer is often framed around the “measured inflation” figure, but should it?
Not the news
Dentists recommend allowing children to eat all their Halloween lollies in one go. But if parents (or children) decide to play the long game, what is the best strategy for making the sweet treats gathered tonight last until Christmas?
The world of sport
Matildas wave | A-League Women’s football returns this week with ambitions to prove itself as the most compelling female sporting competition in Australia. So what’s to look forward to?
Stokes theft | England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, has said his house was burgled by a masked gang while his wife and two children were present and he was away on the tour of Pakistan
Ballon d’Or | Aitana Bonmatí has won her second Ballon d’Or Féminin award, but this time it was close, as the midfield magician has a pair of impressive teammates.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald talks to the New South Wales government MPs who support moving towards legalising cannabis. The Daily Telegraph says toll relief is creating new “million-dollar suburbs” in western Sydney. The Age commemorates the “kind-hearted boy” who died in a tragic car crash at a primary school. And the ABC has a visual feature on sacred artefacts from Yuendumu that were thought lost forever.
What’s happening today
Environment | Lawsuit against Santos over “misleading” net zero claims continues.
Supermarkets | Coles delivers quarterly sales results, Woolworths holds AGM.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
