Morning. It passed a stack of new laws last week but the Albanese government is in election peril if our latest Guardian Essential poll is anything to go by. Voters are underwhelmed by Labor’s performance in the two critically important policy areas of housing affordability and improving wages.
We’re also reporting on the father who complained to Spotify about his children being exposed to gambling ads, the News Corp “scoops” on gas-fired power, some Democrats turning on Joe Biden for pardoning his son, and there are renewed hostilities between Lebanon and Israel less than a week after the ceasefire began.
Australia
‘Non-fixable’ | The beloved Neighbours star Ian Smith, who has played Harold Bishop in the soap for decades, has announced he has been diagnosed with a “non-fixable” type of lung cancer.
Cost of living | The Albanese government has been rated “poor” by 53% of voters on its efforts to contain housing costs, according to today’s Guardian Essential poll, while ministers also received surprisingly little credit for increasing wages, with 35% saying they had done a “poor” job on that score as well. Climate 200 has reported a surge in first-time donors after a donation-matching campaign comparing Peter Dutton to Donald Trump.
Stream of anger | An Australian father has written a formal complaint to the music streaming company Spotify after his children were allegedly exposed to gambling ads while listening to Disney classics.
Thorpe apology | Senator Lidia Thorpe has apologised to Pauline Hanson for describing her as a “convicted” racist, clarifying she was mistaken about a civil finding of racial discrimination.
Water ‘shock’ | Lawyers for Aboriginal residents of a remote town in the Northern Territory say it is “shocking and disappointing” that the territory’s government is trying to overturn a court ruling which found it was legally required to provide them safe drinking water.
World
Syria struggle | Iranian-backed Iraqi militias crossed into eastern Syria overnight in an attempt to shore up struggling forces loyal to Damascus, battling an insurgency that has swept much of the country’s north-west as Islamist militants seized control of Aleppo. Here’s our explainer on this complex story.
Rockets fired | Israel has carried out airstrikes in Lebanon in response to Hezbollah rocket fire in the most serious attacks since the ceasefire began last week.
‘Selfish move’ | President Joe Biden has been criticised by some supporters for the “selfish move” of pardoning his son Hunter, although the White House has defended his actions. Donald Trump has again hinted he could pardon the January 6 rioters.
Au revoir | The French government appears likely to fall this week after leftwing and far-right parties lodged motions of no confidence over the welfare cuts driven through by the prime minister, Michel Barnier. Here’s what will happen if Barnier loses a confidence vote.
Georgia arrest | Police have arrested a prominent opposition leader after using water cannon and teargas to scatter anti-government protesters who rallied outside parliament for a fourth consecutive night.
Climate crimes | A handful of countries should be held legally responsible for the ongoing impacts of climate change, representatives of vulnerable nations have told judges at the international court of justice.
Full Story
Death by Taser: the trial of police officer Kristian White
Reged Ahmad speaks to Jordyn Beazely about the manslaughter conviction of Kristian White and the unresolved questions surrounding how police officers interact with vulnerable people.
In-depth
“Dark ages,” said the front-page headline in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, while the Courier-Mail said, “Step on the gas.” Underneath was an article exhorting the government to ensure more gas-fired power stations were built to avoid the prospect of blackouts. What it didn’t say until, the reader turned to the inside pages, was that the “stories” were advertorials paid for by the fossil fuel lobby. Our climate and environment, editor Adam Morton, deconstructs the claims.
Not the news
Kelly Burke has been talking to the Chinese installation artist Cao Fei in the lead-up to the opening of her first major solo show in Australia, which is running at the Art Gallery of New South Wales until April. Born in Guangzhou but with strong ties to Sydney, My City Is Yours turns the gallery into a bustling cityscape with music, video and even scaffolding in an attempt to escape the more regular “white cube” exhibitions.
Sport
Rugby union | The Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe has produced some great moments from the Eddie Jones scrapheap – and there’s plenty to look forward to during the winter visit by the Lions.
Cricket | The England rookie Jacob Bethell has insisted he has “no doubt” about his ability to play Test cricket after being propelled to bat at No 3 despite never having made a first-class century.
Football | After Manchester City’s latest defeat, could Pep Guardiola get the sack? And Ruud van Nistelrooy has stressed that he will prioritise results over style in his attempt to pull Leicester City clear of relegation trouble.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald examines how the city will have 1 million more people by 2041 and where they might all live. The Age reports on what it calls a “new debacle” over the state government’s transport plans. Travis Head tells the Courier-Mail there is no “great divide” between Australia’s batters and bowlers despite Josh Hazlewood’s remarks after the Perth defeat. WAtoday carries spectacular pictures of a luxury yacht on fire off Cottesloe beach.
What’s happening today
Economy | The ABS releases its latest estimates of the total value, number and mean price of Australian homes.
Energy | The inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia holds a public hearing in Traralgon, Victoria.
NSW | Alleged neo-Nazis will be sentenced after swastikas were painted at Macquarie University.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
