Morning everyone. Our exclusive story this morning reveals that Coalition MPs have been given talking points to get their story straight on why they dumped net zero – and on how to try to argue their policy is compatible with Australia’s climate treaty obligations. We have a full report, plus a podcast asking whether the Coalition can survive.
A massive solar farm with a power output equal to 10 large power stations is planned for the Northern Territory, Volodymyr Zelenskyy is dealing with a new US-backed peace plan for Ukraine that requires painful concessions, and 22 cricketers are about to resume the ancient battle for a small urn.
Australia
Wieambilla verdict | A coroner will today deliver findings into what police called Australia’s first Christian terrorist attack in which Stacey, Nathaniel and Gareth Train killed Queensland officers Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow, along with an unarmed neighbour, Alan Dare, at Wieambilla.
Exclusive | Coalition MPs are being told to argue that the decision to dump a net zero emissions target is “entirely consistent” with the Paris agreement, despite leaked documents suggesting the opposition is aware such a position could conflict with Australia’s obligations under the climate pact.
Powering up | Energy company SunCable says a massive solar farm it has proposed building in the Northern Territory could generate the equivalent of 10 large coal power stations and power an AI datacentre precinct in the region to position Australia as a global leader in “green industrial development”.
Bondi arrest | A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged by Australian police after allegedly harassing a politician who condemned a neo-Nazi protest outside the New South Wales parliament.
‘Believe the victim’ | After investigating domestic violence killings in our Broken trust series, Queensland correspondent Ben Smee concludes that “the most reliable way to predict a domestic violence homicide is to believe the victim”.
World
‘Absurd’ peace plan | A new US-Russian peace proposal to end the war in Ukraine has been dismissed as “absurd” and unacceptable by officials in Kyiv but Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will “work on the points of the plan” to try to improve it. European diplomats have pleaded to be involved in the talk on the plan which envisages Ukraine surrendering large amounts of territory and halving its armed forces.
Covid failings | The UK’s response to Covid was “too little, too late”, a damning official report on the handling of the pandemic has concluded. Our Whitehall editor writes that it lays bare Boris Johnson’s complacency.
Gaza attacks | Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed 33 people and injured many more, according to medical officials, in one of the most serious escalations of violence since the US-backed ceasefire came into effect last month.
US | Democrat senator Elizabeth Warren has called for an inquiry into Donald Trump’s ballroom plan that has seen the White House east wing demolished. Meanwhile, the president’s spokeswoman is trying to explain that Trump’s furious outburst at several members of Congress does not mean he wants them actually executed. Plus: there are notable absences at Dick Cheney’s funeral.
Fair cop | Glenn Close has hit back at the critical mauling for her recent series All’s Fair – including by the Guardian – saying co-star Kim Kardashian “had no pretensions that she was a great actress”.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: can the Liberals survive an existential crisis?
Bridie Jabour talks to the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and deputy editor Patrick Kennelly about whether the Liberals have what it takes to bounce back.
In-depth
It’s 842 days since Stuart Broad dismissed Alex Carey at the Oval to end the last Ashes series but, writes our cricket correspondent Ali Martin, it feels like it’s never really stopped. Nothing stirs the blood like the Ashes as it gets under way today in Perth. Key battles include Cummins v Root and Khawaja v Archer, while Ali is joined by Geoff Lemon on our Ashes podcast to consider if Australia can continue their home dominance.
Not the news
A chance moment watching Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland documentary 28 years ago was a cultural awakening for Melanie Brehaut that led to her leaving Australia for a new life in the UK “inspired by a mouthy Glaswegian wandering around Scotland”. She explains where it all went right for her.
Sport
AFLW | Carlton are riding high on an AFLW wave of momentum spearheaded by their younger contingent. It’s not just that the Blues are winning; ahead of a preliminary final, it’s how they’re winning.
World Cup | Italy must beat Northern Ireland in a one-off home semi-final and then beat either Wales or Bosnia away from home if they are to reach their first World Cup finals since 2014. The European qualifying draw also saw Ukraine face Sweden and Ireland handed the Czech Republic.
Tennis | Boris Becker tells Donald McRae how he coped with life in a British prison, watching in his cell as his former protege Novak Djokovic won Wimbledon, and why he loves the camaraderie among today’s top players.
Formula One | Felipe Massa’s £64m claim against Formula One, its governing body the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone over Lewis Hamilton’s first F1 world championship in 2008 can go to trial, a court in London has ruled.
Media roundup
NSW has had the slowest economic growth out of all other states since the turn of the century, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, citing new figures. A Victorian Liberal party gala dinner has been cancelled after guests started pulling out after Jess Wilson’s leadership coup, the Herald Sun reports. South Australia police rarely carry out roadside drug testing after 9.30pm because of a shortage of officers, the Advertiser reports.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Australian Legal Convention with sessions on AI, family violence and youth justice.
Brisbane | Wieambilla inquest findings at Brisbane magistrates court.
Perth | Friends of Australian Rock Art v WA government and Woodside court hearing at supreme court.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
