Morning everyone. Our exclusive top story today reveals that ports giant DP World, despite raking in billions in revenue, has paid no tax in Australia for eight years. Tax experts say we need new laws for financial disclosure by multinationals to find out how such things can happen. Meanwhile, a survey shows nearly 40% of voters think Australia should ditch the US alliance if Donald Trump is re-elected.
Overseas, Israel has confirmed it carried out an airstrike on a Gaza Strip refugee camp. Plus: why Boris Johnson’s advisers likened him to a supermarket trolley.
Australia
Trump poll | Almost 40% of voters think Australia should withdraw from the US alliance if Donald Trump regains the presidency next year (43% disagree with that idea), and 47% believe the Aukus submarine alliance locks Australia in to supporting the US in an armed conflict.
Exclusive | DP World, one of Australia’s two largest port operators, has paid no tax in Australia despite generating revenue of more than $4.5bn over eight years. A new report by the union-backed lobby group Cictar says that DP World’s top Australian subsidiary may have “artificially reduced profits” to achieve the result. The ATO however says there can be “good commercial justification” for such cases.
‘No first use’ | The former Labor foreign minister Gareth Evans has urged Australia to lobby the US to promise “no first use” of nuclear weapons, warning that global arms control agreements “are now either dead or on life support”.
Ill-starred | The government’s flagship star-rating initiative to improve diets is working well as a marketing tool for food manufacturers, but is not helping people make healthier choices, new research has found.
Albanese plea | The children of jailed Australian writer Yang Hengjun have pleaded with Anthony Albanese to negotiate his release in Beijing this week, saying his situation is critical and their father risks “being left to die”.
World
Johnson the ‘trolley’ | Boris Johnson’s former special adviser, Dominic Cummings (pictured), told the UK Covid inquiry everyone in Downing Street called the former prime minister the trolley because they never knew which way he was going to go on policy. The inquiry also heard that Johnson said the virus was “just nature’s way of dealing with old people” on a day when his chaotic governing style and indecision was laid bare.
Gaza strike | Israel has confirmed it carried out a strike on Jabalia refugee camp, which it said was aimed at eliminating a Hamas leader. Early reports show widespread damage and say dozens were killed. It came as Israeli tanks and infantry targeted tunnel entrances and rocket launch positions in fresh clashes with Hamas around Gaza City and in the south of the enclave.
Russia arrests | Russian authorities have arrested two of their own soldiers on suspicion of killing a family of nine, including two young children, in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.
Kenya call | The Kenya Human Rights Commission has called on King Charles to offer an “unequivocal public apology” for colonial abuses when he visits the country this week.
‘Too big for his boots’ | Tucker Carlson “got too big for his boots” at Fox News and was fired in part for alienating “large swaths” of the company, according to a revelatory new account of the downfall of the network’s biggest star.
Full Story
‘We’re totally isolated’: inside Gaza as Israel’s war intensifies
As Israel steps up its military campaign in Gaza, Hazem Balousha explains how residents trapped in the territory are facing a humanitarian crisis.
In-depth
Property prices have soared to record levels in several capital cities as limited supply and rising immigration more than made up for the dampening effect of higher interest rates. Two surveys show significant growth in Brisbane, Adelaide, and in Perth, where five areas have recorded annual gains of more than 15%, while prices in Sydney are 7.51% higher than a year ago. However, one expert thinks the increases could be short-lived with a possible rate rise next week and more homes set to come on to the market.
Not the news
In an extract for a forthcoming memoir, Rachelle Unreich (pictured left) writes today about the months she spent nursing her dying mother through her illness. As Mira’s condition worsened, Rachelle decided to interview her about her life and discovered that she didn’t know her nearly as well as she thought she did.
The world of sport
Football Australia | It’s disappointing, but Football Australia is right to have taken the common sense approach and decided not to bid for the 2034 men’s World Cup. Saudi Arabia is now the sole bidder. But there’s hope that the World Cup effect can build a new generation of Matildas fans.
Cricket | Pakistan kept alive their slender chances of making the semi-finals of the World Cup with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Kolkata.
Rugby union | Warren Gatland has decided not to continue as head coach of the British and Irish Lions when they tour Australia in 2025, and recommended Andy Farrell as the best man for the job.
Media roundup
Investors from the worlds of gambling, law and sport are facing huge losses in a Ponzi scandal built around bogus mortgages that could total $100m, according to the Herald Sun. With a maze of WestConnex road tunnels about to open over the next two months, the Sydney Morning Herald has a video showing the many different ways to enter and exit the system. A police officer has apologised to NRL star Jack Wighton when he appeared in an ACT court on charges of fighting in public, the Canberra Times reports. The Courier Mail boats “incredible” footage of how the town of Wallangarra was saved from bushfires.
What’s happening today
Health | Senate vaping hearing with tobacco and vaping industry testifying.
Business | BHP annual general meeting.
Queensland | Lehrmann rape case back in court for mention in Toowoomba.
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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.
