Morning everyone. Today the powerful construction workers’ union says the answer to the housing crisis is to levy a tax on corporate profits and use the money to build more homes. That’s our top story this morning, and we also have an Essential poll revealing what voters think about the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games. Plus: tips on how to live a longer life, and a guide to the Miles Franklin shortlist (the winner is announced today).
Australia
Games verdict | More than 40% of Australians agree with Daniel Andrews’ decision to scrap the Commonwealth Games in Victoria (compared with 36% who disagree), with support in his home state at 44%, the Guardian Essential poll shows.
Housing fix | Labor must be “much more ambitious” in addressing the housing crisis, the CFMEU construction union says, and wants the government to implement a super profits tax of 40% to raise billions for building 750,000 new social and affordable homes.
Chocolate spike | Chocoholics are facing a steep increase in the price of their favourite treats of up to 25% after flooding in west Africa hit production of cocoa beans, Australian financial analysts say.
Voice controversy | Former Labor minister Gary Johns has refused to quit the voice no campaign after he doubled down on “outdated” views about Indigenous benefits, while Barnaby Joyce claimed the voice would become a “quasi House of Lords”.
‘Stunned by the ferocity’ | Climate scientists are watching climate records fall as a blistering heatwave engulfs much of the northern hemisphere. Seven of them tell Guardian Australia their views on what it means, and whether they feel despair or hope.
World
Courts curbed | Israel’s parliament has passed a controversial curb on some supreme court powers submitted by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, prompting street protests by opponents (pictured). Here’s what the changes are about and what happens next.
‘At war with fires’ | Firefighters are struggling to contain week-long wildfires across Greece amid scenes of pandemonium prompted by the nation’s biggest ever evacuation of tourists on inferno-stricken Rhodes.
Spain stalemate | The Spanish Socialist leader, Pedro Sánchez, has ruled out a return to the polls following Sunday’s inconclusive snap general election, insisting a new government can be formed after his ruling coalition was narrowly beaten by the opposition conservative People’s party. However, the hardline Vox party appears headed towards irrelevance after Spain bucked the European trend of a move to the right.
Macron warning | Emmanuel Macron has said France needs a return to authority “at every level” after recent unrest over the police shooting of a teenager, suggesting that poor parenting was part of the reason teenagers had taken to the streets.
Green rethink? | British prime minister Rishi Sunak has signalled that he might delay or abandon green net zero pledges as he attempts to create a dividing line between his struggling government and the resurgent Labour opposition.
Full Story
What an El Niño summer would mean for Australia
With fires raging through the northern hemisphere, science writer Donna Lu explains to Laura Murphy-Oates what the coming Australian summer could look like, and how to adapt to a warming world.
In-depth
Making small changes to your lifestyle in your 40s, 50s or 60s could add more than 20 years to your life, according to research of the habits of US veterans over eight years between 2011 and 2019. The eight factors include eating well and getting a good night’s sleep, and you can find out the whole list by reading our story here.
Not the news
Six authors are in the running for Australia’s most prestigious book award, the Miles Franklin prize, due to be announced this evening. Julienne van Loon for the Conversation talks us through the contenders, from Fiona Kelly McGregor’s biographical memoir, Iris, to Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandrana, a novel based around Sydney’s Sri Lankan community.
The world of sport
Women’s World Cup | The Matildas are taking nothing for granted as they look to beat Nigeria in Brisbane on Thursday to secure passage to the last 16. And in yesterday’s games, Brazil thrashed Panama 4-0, Germany cruised past Morocco 6-0, and Italy overcame Argentina by a single goal.
Men’s Ashes | England have named an unchanged squad for the final Test at the Oval this week as they hope to draw the series.
Rugby union | A shot clock to prevent time-wasting and a “Bunker” review system for upgrading yellow cards to red are among innovations that will be in place for the upcoming World Cup warm-up matches this summer.
Media roundup
The mayor of Penrith has abandoned a plan to inspect airports in three European countries just hours before her council was due to vote on bankrolling the $200,000 trip, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Home loan delinquency rates are surging to levels not seen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Australian reports. Support is growing for the Gold Coast mayor’s push to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Victoria pulled out, the Bulletin says. “Bellyaching” by the England cricket team has become “too much”, the Herald Sun says, because they only have themselves to blame for failing to regain the Ashes.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Hearing for US extradition case of Daniel Duggan, an Australian pilot accused of training Chinese military.
Canberra | Public hearing on sexual consent laws.
Courts | Redfern Legal Centre files a challenge to 29,000 Covid-era fines in the wake of the supreme court finding two fines were invalid.
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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.
