Morning everyone. Only three public hospitals in New South Wales are routinely providing abortions, according to new research from the University of Sydney revealed exclusively in Guardian Australia this morning. We have the full story, plus: the latest Essential poll, containing some good and bad news for Anthony Albanese and what’s going to be in the mid-year economic update later, as well as news on Bashar al-Assad, who says he wanted to fight on in Syria but was forced by Russia to evacuate.
Australia
Drying up | Drier conditions have seen the number of waterbirds in eastern Australia plummet by 50% compared with 2023, one of the country’s largest wildlife surveys has found. And after a scorching day for much of the country, Gabrielle Chan reflects on what the climate crisis means for farmers.
Essential poll | The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has finished 2024 with his popularity in the doldrums, our latest Essential poll shows, with 50% disapproving of the job he is doing as prime minister. But it’s not all gloom as more people expect 2025 to be a better year for their finances than not.
Broadcaster’s boost | The ABC will receive a two-year $83m funding boost in Labor’s midyear economic update, which will bank $14.6bn of additional savings for the federal budget and rack up $8.8bn of “unavoidable spending”.
Entain accused | Australia’s financial intelligence agency has taken Ladbrokes owner Entain to the federal court, alleging it “deliberately obscured the identities” of high-risk customers and failed to stop a “serious risk of criminal exploitation”. Entain said it is cooporating with Austrac, is committed to keeping alleged financial crime out of gambling and takes the allegations “extremely seriously”
Carbon cost | Australia would emit far more climate pollution – more than 1.7bn extra tonnes of carbon dioxide – between now and 2050 under the Coalition’s nuclear plan than under Labor’s renewable-dominated policy, analysts say.
World
‘I wanted to fight’ | The former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad (not pictured above) said he had no plans to flee Syria before being evacuated by the Russian army after its base in western Syria came under attack. An uncle of Assad used an adviser in Guernsey to secretly manage his wealth, which included a vast European property empire worth hundreds of millions of euros.
School shooting | Several people have died in a shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin, police said.
German poll | Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a vote of confidence in the German parliament, paving the way for early national elections following the collapse of his government.
Kamala comeback? | Democratic party aides have begun to float ideas for a Kamala Harris comeback, reportedly eyeing another run for the White House.
Tariff bust | Canada’s deputy prime minister has resigned amid growing tensions with the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, over the looming threat posed by Donald Trump’s tariff plans.
Spy row | An alleged Chinese spy who forged a close relationship with Prince Andrew is just “the tip of the iceberg” of Beijing’s attempts to infiltrate the UK, a leading China-sceptic MP has said.
Full Story
The Unabomber and his ongoing influence
Michael Safi examines how Theodore Kaczynski’s manifesto has inspired copycat attacks and is claimed as an influence by others who have gone on to commit atrocities around the world.
In-depth
Just three of NSW’s 220 public hospitals offer abortion services, according to new research by the University of Sydney, which has mapped the state’s abortion access for the first time. “Abortion deserts”, where the nearest abortion service is more than 160km away, are widespread across the state.
All 15 local health districts and the health minister, Ryan Park, refused to answer questions from Guardian Australia about which hospitals provide abortion healthcare and what happens to women who need abortion services when none are provided in their district. These maps locate the gaps in care.
Not the news
From the “super stylish and sassy” Thou Shalt Not Steal to the ABC’s Lachlan Murdoch documentary, and from the “pure delight and loud laughs” of Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee to the second season of Colin from Accounts, our writers survey the year’s best Australian TV.
Sport
Cricket | Of Test cricket’s so-called Fab Four batters, time seems to be catching up fastest with Virat Kohli after he failed again, sending India to four down and plenty behind against Australia in the third Test in Brisbane.
Football | Marcus Rashford has been sidelined and put up for sale as part of Manchester United reboot under new manager Ruben Amorim. Still in the Premier League, Bournemouth host West Ham this morning.
Basketball | Luka Dončić had his 80th career triple-double with a season-high 45 points along with 13 assists and 11 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks beat Golden State Warriors 143-133.
Media roundup
An op-ed in the Sydney Morning Herald argues that the city’s extreme heat problem is getting worse and is “unsustainable”. The resignation of Tim Pallas is “just the start” of headaches for Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, the Age reckons. People in Brisbane have been warned to be on the alert for measles symptoms after a two-year-old boy tested positive, the Courier Mail reports. The judge in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case has lashed out at lawyers for their high fees, the Daily Telegraph reports.
What’s happening today
Courts | There is a mention and NPO judgment for an SAS soldier charged with alleged war crimes over Afghan killing.
Victoria | A directions hearing for Erin Patterson is set over her alleged poison mushroom lunch.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
