Morning, everyone. A timely reminder that Australia needs to get its act together on climate and energy comes today with Unesco warning the government it must set more ambitious emissions targets or the Great Barrier Reef could be placed on the “in danger” list of world heritage sites. We also have an exclusive on the boom in sports gambling and Australia’s hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals are hanging by a thread (that may be cut within hours) after their defeat to India.
Australia
Exclusive | The number of Australians betting on sport has doubled in five years, and a third of spending on bets is placed by people with a gambling problem, according to new polling.
Unesco warning | Unesco has urged Australia to set more ambitious climate targets for the Great Barrier Reef in a list of recommendations to preserve its status as a world heritage site. The report, published in Paris late last night, says Australia should be asked to submit a progress report by February to see if it can avoid the reef being placed on a list of sites “in danger”.
Pill testing trial | Victoria will trial pill testing this summer, Jacinta Allan has announced, after a spate of drug overdoses at festivals in the first quarter of 2024.
Detention release | Andrew Giles released at least four people from immigration detention on visas without the strictest conditions, bypassing an independent board despite the non-citizens being identified as “likely” to be affected by the high court ruling on indefinite detention.
Vaping fix | With a deadline of the start of July to fix a vaping policy bearing down on them, Labor has ignored the pleas of doctors and watered down its plans for a crackdown on vaping to win the support of the Greens.
World
Fire risk | The climate crisis is driving an exponential rise in the most extreme wildfires around the world, according to analysis of satellite data, which showed their number had risen by more than 10 times in the past 20 years in temperate conifer forests, such as in the western US and Mediterranean.
Russia attacks | Five people responsible for attacks against churches and synagogues in Russia’s Dagestan region have been “eliminated”, authorities said, after clashes highlighting the country’s Islamist terrorism problem.
Gambling problem | The Tories have launched an inquiry into whether UK politicians or officials gambled on the timing of the election, Rishi Sunak announced, while denying that he had placed any bets himself. Senior Conservatives have called for a ban on political bets by MPs.
Exclusive | Israeli documents show there has been a huge government effort to shape how US public opinion views the Gaza war.
Shark attack | The actor Tamayo Perry, best-known for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean, has died after a shark attack in Hawaii.
Full Story
Family, policy or luck: what decides your fate?
Thirty years ago, 164 children born in inner-city Melbourne were selected to take part in a longitudinal study into the factors that influenced their life outcomes. Stephanie Convery explains why it shows inequality is a policy choice.
In-depth
It’s not surprising that the cold weather in eastern Australia has led to a spike in demand for gas but its supply is coming under strain. Unusually calm weather has hampered renewable energy supply as well. Rick Wilkinson, the chief executive of consultants EnergyQuest, says Victoria will “need a backup” to handle peak winter gas demand from 2026. Peter Hannam looks at how we got here and what the options are to secure supply.
Not the news
Our columnist Tim Dowling reckons Prince William just about got away with being filmed dad dancing at Taylor Swift’s Wembley concert the other night. It was short and “goofily exuberant”, he writes – but warns the secret to this kind of dad dancing is to do it “like everyone is watching, and lean into the comic stupidity of it”.
The world of sport
T20 World Cup | Australia lost to India in the Super Eight despite a valiant 76 by Travis Head and now need Bangladesh to beat Afghanistan today to see if they can sneak into the semi-finals.
State of Origin | The return of Latrell Mitchell and his ball-playing nous, powerful running threat and giant personality have given the Blues a boost before the game two clash at the MCG tomorrow.
Euro 2024 | Italy are playing Croatia this morning in the final round of matches in Group B, with the latter needing to win to stand any chance of progressing while already-qualified Spain play Albania.
Media roundup
Matt Kean, the new Climate Change Authority chief, tells the Sydney Morning Herald he won’t back his former federal party leader Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy plan. The Solomon Islands prime minister will ask Anthony Albanese for a budget bailout when they meet tomorrow, the Australian says. A mayor in Melbourne’s east says she only learnt from the news that a huge development project had been approved for her area, the Age reports. A $20 South Australian wine has won the coveted “best in show” title at a prestigious world awards in London, the Advertiser reports.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Carlson Tucker and Clive Palmer speak at the Hyatt hotel as part of the “Australian Freedom Conference”.
Sydney | There will be a directions hearing for the Roger Rogerson inquest at Lidcombe coroner’s court.
Society | The ABS will release the national health survey and statistics about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
