Morning everyone. When our leading scientists sound the alarm on a looming “global health crisis” from the spread of superbugs, it makes you take notice. We’ve got the full story on their dramatic warning, and we’re also reporting on a big new push to win hearts and minds on the voice to parliament.
Australia
Voicing support | Dozens of Australia’s leading social justice and civil society bodies are launching a new partnership to support the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, with one member of the group calling the consultation body “a basic human right”.
Health alarm bells | The spread of superbugs resistant to antibiotics and antifungal treatments threatens a “global health crisis” unless there is greater coordination and better management of patient data, according to a report by the CSIRO and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. It comes as researchers say that an invasive strep A variant first identified in the UK and thought to be behind a surge in deaths has likely contributed to a similar uptick in serious disease and hospitalisations in Australia.
Veterans’ woe | An increasing number of health clinics are refusing to accept the gold card that entitles veterans and their dependants or partners to free healthcare, Guardian Australia has learned.
Super breakout | Two Liberal moderates, Russell Broadbent and Bridget Archer, have broken ranks and endorsed the treasurer’s efforts to discuss possible changes to the superannuation system’s generous tax breaks.
Cyber clash | Labor could face opposition in the Senate to its plans to expand the government’s powers to directly intervene in the IT systems of companies during cyber-attacks.
World
Protocol peace | The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has sealed a deal with the EU to end the dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol – the complex fix for the region’s post-Brexit trade rules. But although it was widely hailed as “extraordinary”, it is likely to face opposition from hardline Brexiter MPs and Northern Ireland’s DUP unionist party, and may not draw the Brexit poison.
Israel violence | Scores of Israeli settlers have gone on a violent rampage in the northern West Bank, setting alight dozens of cars and homes after two settlers were killed by a Palestinian gunman. It piles pressure on the US president, Joe Biden, to intervene.
Beijing visit | Xi Jinping’s plan to meet Belarus president, Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on Tuesday highlights the widening gulf between the US and China over the war in Ukraine.
‘Media is racist’ | Elon Musk has come out in support of the beleaguered American cartoonist Scott Adams who was dumped by hundreds of newspapers for racist remarks.
Bond rewritten | A week after a controversy about the rewriting of Roald Dahl’s novels, the James Bond books are to be reissued with a number of racial references removed and a disclaimer about ‘“offensive” attitudes.
Full Story
The ‘wild west’ of online sperm donation in Australia
Jack Nunn found out by chance that he and his mother were some of the many descendants of a prolific sperm donor at a time when regulations had not been established to try to prevent this practice. Tory Shepherd explains why people are choosing not to use the IVF system.
In-depth
As two polls show Labor’s lead in the NSW election campaign is shrinking, we look at the key issues for the state’s independent candidates who could be left holding the balance of power. From feral horses to rural bridges, and “jobs for the boys” to gambling reform, Tamsin Rose gives you the lowdown.
Not the news
In an industry first, the Melbourne Theatre Company has formed a special group of artists including Zoë Coombs Marr, Zindzi Okenyo and Tony Briggs to advise management about diversity. Okenyo, co-director of Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, pictured, said: “For me, it’s about how we can be even more inclusive and how we move forward together.”
The world of sport
Cricket | An exciting finish lies ahead in the second and final test between England and New Zealand in Wellington today with the tourists needing 210 more to win.
Rugby league | Fresh from a win over Penrith in the world club showdown, St Helens captain James Roby tells Donald McRae what keeps him going at the age of 37.
Football | Catch up on the European leagues including Barcelona slipping up again, a blizzard in the Bundesliga, Napoli romping in Serie A and Manchester United taking out the Carabao Cup.
Media roundup
One of Australia’s biggest trucking companies, Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics, has gone bust, putting 1,500 jobs at risk as well as supermarket supply chains, according to the West Australian. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Labor has been accused of abandoning western Sydney with its plan to pull back from two Metro projects through battleground seats. Queensland’s tourism industry has suffered a blow with the collapse of a plan to buy Lindeman Island, off Airlie Beach, from Chinese owners and develop a resort, the Cairns Post reports.
What’s happening today
Gambling | There will be a federal committee inquiry hearing on online gambling and its impacts on those experiencing gambling harm.
Housing | The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council is meeting for the first time to advise on sector reform.
Economy | The ABS will release retail sales figures in the latest economic snap.
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Brain teaser
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