Morning everyone. With many Invasion Day rallies marked by strong calls for a no vote in the voice referendum, our top story looks at the complex position of the Greens Indigenous spokesperson, Lidia Thorpe, who may join the no camp despite her party favouring yes.
We look at all the fallout from yesterday’s events – including a plea for responsible media coverage from our editor – and how El Niño could be back soon.
Australia
Seaweed solution | An area of ocean almost the size of Australia could support commercial seaweed farming around the world, providing food for humans, feed supplements for cattle, and alternative fuels, according to research by the University of Queensland.
Greens dilemma | Some Greens party figures will question whether Lidia Thorpe can remain in her portfolio after it emerged that she put her name to the establishment of an inquiry into Indigenous bodies that would run during the voice referendum, possibly damaging the yes vote. She blames an “administrative error” and withdrew support after an intervention by party leader Adam Bandt, but her support for a treaty before a voice has been criticised as conflating two separate matters.
National security | The federal government has flagged amendments to national security laws to ensure that the near-total secrecy that hid the prosecution and imprisonment of a former Australian intelligence officer cannot happen again.
Bad influence | Tip-offs to the competition watchdog have sparked an inquiry into the alleged failure of social media influencers to declare commercial ties to the products they are spruiking.
Queensland death | Police believe that a body found in a garage in Brisbane is that of a Gold Coast woman, Wendy Sleeman, who disappeared from her home on Tuesday shortly after ringing police about a break-in.
World
Ukraine attacks | Ukraine’s top general vowed that his country would not be “broken” after the successful downing of 47 of the 55 missiles launched by Russia in a mass attack that followed the western offer of tanks.
Trump outrage | Donald Trump’s return to Facebook and Instagram will “fan the flames of hatred and division”, a Democratic congresswoman said, amid liberal outrage at the lifting of the former US president’s ban.
West Bank raid | Israeli forces have killed nine Palestinians in a raid on Jenin refugee camp, officials in the occupied territory said, while the Israeli military said troops traded fire with Islamist militants during a “counter-terrorism operation”.
‘I must decline’ | A promising teenage athlete has declined to represent Great Britain in a competition due to be held in Australia because she is concerned about the environmental impact of the associated travel.
Scotland | Isla Bryson, a transgender woman found guilty of raping two women before transitioning, will not be imprisoned in Scotland’s all-female Cornton Vale prison, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has told the Scottish parliament.
Full Story
The return of El Niño
After three years of rain and floods, we could be in for a hotter, drier phase with the return of El Niño. Graham Readfearn explains why that could also mean more bushfires, coral-bleaching and exceeding 1.5C warming for the first time.
In-depth
The swirling debate about the voice to parliament has been given extra charge this month amid alcohol bans in Alice Springs and yesterday’s Invasion Day rallies. But there’s a danger that the complexity of the issue could be lost in the noise, writes our editor, Lenore Taylor, who argues that the media has a particular responsibility to help readers understand the facts and the historical, political and legal context, to call out falsehoods and to avoid fuelling an ideological outrage cycle.
Not the news
Lewis Treston’s witty and polished play, Hubris & Humiliation, a modern take on Jane Austen, is the perfect way to start off Sydney World Pride, according to our critic, Cassie Tongue. The play, which is now at the city’s Wharf 1 theatre, blends Regency language and Australian slang to deliver jokes and sizzling romantic tension.
The world of sport
Australian Open | Aryna Sabalenka reached her first grand slam final after swatting aside Magda Linette and will play Elena Rybakina in Saturday’s showdown. Australian pair Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler have reached the men’s doubles final after beating the experienced duo of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos.
Cycling | After her new team collapsed, Chloe Hosking, one of Australia’s most successful cyclists, will be forced to retire unless a contract arises soon.
Cricket | Australia wrapped up a Twenty20 series victory over Pakistan in Hobart last night on the back of a clinical bowling effort and clean strikes from Beth Mooney.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald looks at Australia’s connection to the Indian conglomerate Adani and the alleged “largest con in corporate history”. The Australian Financial Review argues that despite optimism about inflation peaking out, the pain for mortgage borrowers is only just getting started. NT News claims an exclusive with a Labor MP’s warning to the Northern Territory government that Canberra will step in if it can’t fix the social unrest in Alice Springs. Lindsay Fox’s attempt to claim a beach at Portsea for his private use appears to have thwarted by three senior judges, the Herald Sun reports.
What’s happening today
Sexual abuse hearing | Readiness hearing in Sydney for retrial of MasterChef finalist and swim coach Paul Douglas Frost on sexual abuse charges.
Road safety | With the school year about to begin, the NRMA will reveal data on the record number of drivers caught speeding in school zones.
Coronavirus | Weekly update of Covid cases and deaths in Australia.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords and free Wordiply game to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
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