Good morning. We begin today with revelations the Northern Territory government ditched a net zero emissions policy for new onshore gas projects after the industry objected to it. Documents sourced by Guardian Australia show that NT officials consulted with the gas industry – but not other stakeholders or the public – before walking away from the proposal.
The United Arab Emirates’ Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the Cop28 president, is facing stern criticism after saying there is “no science” for a phase-out of coal, oil and gas to reduce global warming, and that it would take the world “back into caves”. Scientists say his remarks are verging on climate change denial.
Also overseas, Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility after a US warship and two other vessels in the Red Sea were reportedly attacked by drones.
And we take a close look at why so many vape stores are opening, even as their main product is about to face import bans.
Australia
‘Unacceptable risk’ test | Under proposed new laws, people freed from immigration detention will be re-detained if a court agrees they pose an unacceptably high risk of committing a “serious violent or sexual offence”.
Fossil fuel sector | Documents have revealed that the NT government has abandoned a proposal to set net zero emissions requirements for new onshore gas projects after the industry objected.
NDIS funding | Bill Shorten is seeking to defuse a growing row with state and territory governments over funding for the NDIS, as disability advocates urge leaders not to treat the community as “political footballs”.
‘No sympathy’ | Six months from now, vape stores will have to close or sell something else. Despite this, thousands of the shops have opened throughout Australia and are flourishing since those reforms were announced.
Extreme weather | Two years after silt and mud trashed them, Northern Rivers schools have risen from ruin to be better than ever after mammoth community recovery efforts.
World
Exclusive | The president of Cop28 – UAE’s Sultan Al Jaber – has claimed there is “no science” indicating a phase-out of fossil fuels is needed to restrict global heating to 1.5C; Cop28 officials have failed to clarify whether protesters are safe to protest in Dubai, where it is normally prohibited.
Israel-Hamas war | Israel has continued with its intense bombing campaign across the north and south of Gaza, with another strike reported on Jabalia refugee camp; meanwhile, dozens have attended a protest in Tel Aviv against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Russia-Ukraine war | Ukraine is investigating the “execution” of surrendering troops by Russian forces, as video appears to show unarmed soldiers being shot dead as they emerged from a dugout near Avdiivka.
Red Sea shipping | The Pentagon is investigating after Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for apparent drone attacks targeting a US naval warship and commercial vessels.
Paris attack | A man known to French authorities as a radical Islamist has been detained after a German man was killed and two others – one British and one French – were injured near the Eiffel Tower.
Full Story
How to avoid burnout
Many Australians feel overworked and overwhelmed at this time of year. Impending deadlines, cost-of-living pressures and the lead-up to the holiday season can combine to cause burnout. Jane Lee speaks to clinical psychologist and the Modern Mind columnist Gaynor Parkin about what you – and your boss – can do to help protect your physical and mental health.
In-depth
Being in the right is not worth much if the Albanese government allows the opposition to bully it into making laws that won’t stand up in court, says chief political correspondent Paul Karp. Labor has allowed itself to be bid up by the Coalition, strapping those released from detention with ankle bracelets and curfews – something already being challenged in court. If Labor wants to break a high court losing streak, it must take the drafter’s pen away from Peter Dutton.
Not the news
Each month our critics pick 20 new songs for our Spotify playlist. Read about 10 of our favourites for December – including a slinky new single from Kamilaroi musician Thelma Plum, an antagonistic guitar offering from the Tasmanian exploratory post-punk duo The Native Cats, and a lascivious, playful piece of electro-funk from indie pop singer-songwriter Holiday Sidewinder.
The world of sport
AFLW | A modest grand final venue hosted an occasion to brag about, as Brisbane Lions roared home in the fourth quarter to win an epic match.
Football | Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham have battled to a 3-3 draw against high-fliers Manchester City; Liverpool beat Fulham 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller; and 10-man Chelsea edged past Brighton with a 3-2 win.
Cricket | West Indies are chasing 326 to beat England in their first one-day international; India have beaten Australia by six runs in a T20 dead rubber; and Mitchell Johnson has lashed out over David Warner’s “hero send-off”.
Media roundup
The NSW government will force developers to include affordable and social housing in all high-density apartment developments built around priority public transport precincts in a bid to ease the housing crisis, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. V/Line workers will strike on Wednesday morning in a move expected to cause significant delays as bargaining talks drag into their six month, reports the Age. The Gold Coast has scrapped its bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after it failed to generate backing from the state or federal governments, ABC News reports.
What’s happening today
New South Wales | Delegates are converging for the three-day AI in Education Forum in Sydney.
ACT | The French minister for europe and foreign affairs, Catherine Colonna, is due to address the National Press Club of Australia.
New South Wales | The scheme meeting for Origin Energy’s potential takeover by a Brookfield-led private equity consortium is set to resume.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here. And finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news. Sign up for our Afternoon Update newsletter here.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Get notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
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.
