Good morning. Peter Dutton’s assault on the government’s policy towards Palestinian refugees is resonating with voters, our latest poll says, and there’s not much better news for Anthony Albanese in his personal approval. Australia has seen its hottest-ever winter day and we ask experts if spring really has come early. Plus: Donald Trump threatens to withdraw from his TV debate with Kamala Harris.
Australia
Hottest winter | Australia has recorded its hottest-ever winter temperature with Yampi Sound in the Kimberley region of Western Australia reaching 41.6C yesterday amid warm weather across the country. It also means there are alarmingly early signs of spring such as wattle buds in alpine Jindabyne and the smell of jasmine in suburban Melbourne.
Essential poll | More voters back Peter Dutton’s call to pause arrivals of Palestinians from the Gaza conflict than oppose it, our latest Essential poll shows, in a sign the opposition leader’s rhetoric is politically profitable.
‘Most divisive leader’ | The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has unleashed a stinging attack on the opposition leader, calling him “the most divisive leader of a major political party in Australia’s modern history”.
Police powers | The Australian federal police are using discretionary powers to stop investigations into one in four allegations of police misconduct, documents obtained under freedom of information show.
A CFMEU tax? | Opposition members, including Peter Dutton, have said the construction union is blowing out project costs because of wage demands. But is that true?
World
Trump doubt | Donald Trump has expressed doubt that he will participate in a scheduled televised debate with Kamala Harris next month, hurling a trademark “fake news” slur at the network that had agreed to host it. Follow developments in the US on our live blog.
Yacht investigation | The New Zealander who was captaining Mike Lynch’s luxury yacht when it was hit by a freak storm and sank off Sicily is being investigated for manslaughter.
‘Frightening’ law | New Taliban laws that prohibit women from speaking or showing their faces outside their homes have been condemned by the UN and met with horror by human rights groups.
Telegram arrest | Pavel Durov, the Russian-born billionaire co-founder of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested in France in connection with an investigation into criminal activity on the platform and a lack of cooperation with law enforcement, prosecutors have said.
Rail risk? | Child psychologists in the UK say teenagers are at “far greater” risk online at home than when travelling independently, following a row abou TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp allowing her teenage son to go Interrailing.
Full Story
One mother’s plea for gambling ad reform
Tamsin Rose speaks to Sydney mother Bronwyn, whose son started problem gambling at 17, and Guardian Australia’s medical editor, Melissa Davey, about why there is an urgent need for reform in the sector.
In-depth
Complaining about poor customer service from Qantas and Virgin and swapping horror stories about delayed flights has become something of a national pastime. Yesterday’s much-anticipated white paper was meant to lay out how the government plans to challenge the duopoly – especially in the wake of the collapse of Rex Airlines. But our transport reporter, Elias Visontay, says despite the promise of an airline ombudsman, the government has kicked key decisions into the long grass and passed the buck on others.
Not the news
Rodney Hall is 88 and is a polymath who can count being a novelist, poet, librettist, editor and actor among his myriad achievements. Beejay Silcox reckons that his newly published 14th novel, Vortex, which deals with the grand geopolitical tangle of 1954, is his best yet. “The root idea of this book is a web – a web of connection is how we experience life, not cause and effect,” Hall says.
The world of sport
Athletics | After a very successful Olympics, Australia will be expecting great things from its under-20s athletics squad featuring, among others, Torrie Lewis (pictured) when the world championships kick off in Peru today.
Football | Sven-Göran Eriksson, England’s first overseas manager and winner of honours at club level with Gothenburg, Benfica, Sampdoria and Lazio, has died at the age of 76. David Beckham led the tributes, calling him a “true gentleman”. You can also read our obituary.
Tennis | There have been wins for Zheng Qinwen and Donna Vekic, who beat Australia’s Kim Birrell, as the US Open got under way in New York overnight. Follow the action live.
Media roundup
Anthony Albanese should be banned from Mardi Gras for the government’s refusal to record the number of trans and gay people in the census, a campaigner has told the Sydney Morning Herald. CFMEU members are preparing for walkouts in protest at the commonwealth takeover of the union, the Financial Review reports. Soaring power bills are “crippling” South Australian businesses, the Adelaide Advertiser claims, including renowned drinkmaker Nippy.
What’s happening today
Business | Company results from Woodside, BHP and Coles.
Pacific Islands Forum | The UN secretary general António Guterres will give a media conference in Tonga.
Brisbane | Sentencing for a man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter over the death of a doctor in a deliberate hit-and-run.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
