Morning everyone. It’s crunch time for the Albanese government on how far it’s prepared to go to limit carbon emissions with a number of huge fossil fuel developments awaiting approval. Together they could release 22bn tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere – or about 40% of annual global emissions. We’ve got the latest on the Cop28 talks in Dubai, the crisis at Sydney Theatre Company deepens, and Shane MacGowan, Pogues frontman and music legend, has died. Plus, we have news for those who like a bowl of cherries at Christmas.
Australia
Exclusive | The alcohol industry is targeting health-conscious younger Australians with nutritional claims such as “low calorie”, “low sugar” and “gluten free” appearing on half of pre-mixed alcoholic drinks, according to new research.
Exclusive | The Australian government is facing critical decisions on whether to greenlight 30 fossil fuel developments such as the huge Burrup Hub project in northern Western Australia that dwarf the country’s carbon “budget”. It comes after the annual climate data dump showed Australia still has a long way to go to on emissions, especially from big-polluting industries.
Higgins test | Brittany Higgins will continue giving evidence today in the defamation case brought by Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten after a gruelling session yesterday in which she rejected suggestions she lied about her alleged rape.
Theatre crisis | The problems at the Sydney Theatre Company have deepened after it was forced to issue a third public apology after the on-stage pro-Palestinian protest by several actors and another board member quit.
Ripe mess | Hundreds of tonnes of ripe cherries have had to be dumped after heavy rain and the surviving Christmas cherries might look “blemished” this year, farmers say.
World
Climate damage deal | The Cop28 climate summit has officially opened in Dubai, with the first day seeing agreement on relief for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries, which are being hit increasingly by climate disaster.
Swaps continue | Two Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas and eight Palestinian women and 22 children were to be freed as the extended Middle East truce enabled swaps to continue.
‘Toxic culture’ | The former health secretary Matt Hancock has told the UK Covid inquiry about a “deep unpleasantness” within Boris Johnson’s government and how Dominic Cummings created a “culture of fear” that hindered the country’s response. And the former chancellor Alistair Darling, who steered UK economy through the 2008 financial crisis, has died aged 70.
Russia outlaws LGBTQ+ ‘movement’ | Russia’s supreme court has outlawed what it called an “international LGBTQ+ public movement” as extremist, raising fears that it could lead to persecution. There’s happier news from Nepal though which has seen south Asia’s first LGBTQ+ wedding.
Royals and race | An investigation is under way into how the Dutch version of a new book named two senior members of the British royal family alleged to have discussed the skin colour of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s unborn son.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: should Albanese worry about Labor’s slump in the polls?
Guardian Australia’s editor Lenore Taylor and head of news Mike Ticher discuss why the Albanese government is losing support, and whether it’s actually in trouble.
In-depth
“It was Christmas Eve babe, in the drunk tank, an old man said to me, won’t see another one.” No festive season is complete without hearing the immortal lines of Fairytale of New York, which is perhaps (apologies Paul Kelly) the greatest Christmas song ever and probably Shane MacGowan’s finest. The hellraising Pogues frontman has finally succumbed to a life lived on the edge but the Morning Mail will raise a metaphorical glass to a musical misfit whose songwriting gifts turned him into the kind of mythic figure he so often celebrated.
Not the news
When residents in a small town in western Victoria woke up one day to find their local church fenced off and up for sale, they were stunned. A building that had been a centre point for Carngham for 130 years appeared to be in danger of disappearing. Six months later the 800-strong community has rallied, the congregation is growing and they are determined to save their “spiritual connection”.
The world of sport
Rugby league | NSW coach Michael Maguire says players will have to earn their spot as he was confirmed as successor to Brad Fittler for the next State of Origin series.
Football | Liverpool are entertaining the Austrian side LASK, while Brighton take on AEK Athens in the Europa League and you can follow all the action live.
Champions League | Arsenal are given an A+ in our latest rankings while it’s just a C+ for Benfica, Inter and Napoli, and a fail for Celtic.
Media roundup
Gap fees are at their highest since Medicare began, the Australian reports, with new data showing a drop in the bulk billing rate for GPs. A severe weather warning has been issued for eastern Victoria, the Age reports, as heavy rain triggered a landslide that has left Mallacoota cut off. The Adelaide Advertiser has a powerful interview with a woman who spent her childhood as a ward of the state and who says the “punitive system” is “worse than prison”.
What’s happening today
Economy | Treasurer Jim Chalmers meets his state and territory counterparts in Brisbane to discuss GST, electric vehicles and competition reform.
Law | State attorney generals meet to discuss raising the age of criminal responsibility and the firearms register.
New South Wales | Sentence for Tyrell Edwards charged with killing five teenagers in a car crash south-west of Sydney.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
