Morning everyone. Scott Morrison feels he still has something to contribute on foreign policy, using a speech in Tokyo today to accuse western leaders of appeasing China, and claiming credit when in power for sounding the alarm about “bullying” Beijing”.
In addition, we’ve got a stack of reporting on the cost of living/housing crisis, but also some reasons to be cheerful. And US president Joe Biden has made an unfortunate admission about those UFOs his country shot down.
Australia
Santos accused | A Santos employee has sought protection from federal parliament to accuse the Australian oil and gas company of covering up the severity of an oil spill that killed dolphins off the northern Western Australian coast.
‘Worst since Munich’ | The former prime minister Scott Morrison was expected to urge the Albanese government to consider targeting Chinese officials with Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions in a speech in Tokyo today. His speech notes accuse the west of appeasing China, comparing it to the infamous Munich agreement with Hitler.
Plastic problem | The Australian Academy of Science has called for better monitoring of plastic pollution, warning there is an over-reliance on volunteers and a lack of consistent data to document the “astronomical” problem.
Sexual ‘humiliation’ | A former soldier has alleged that he was forced to commit humiliating sexual acts while suffering sleep deprivation during torture resistance training.
Heat is on | Temperatures are forecast to hit 38C in Melbourne, 35C in western Sydney, and as high as 45C in Western Australia’s Pilbara region as parts of the country remained under severe heatwave warnings.
World
Georgia jury | A portion of the special grand jury’s report into Donald Trump’s election meddling campaign in Georgia has been released, with jurors fearing that some witnesses may have lied under oath.
Balloon backdown | The US president, Joe Biden, has admitted that three objects shot down recently by American planes were “most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions, studying weather or conducting other scientific research”
Amazon visit | Brazilian ministers are going to the spot where Guardian journalist Dom Phillips and activist Bruno Pereira were murdered in the Amazon rainforest amid reports of an environmental clampdown in the remote border region.
Knesset crackdown | A new law will allow Israel to strip Arabs convicted of terror offences of citizenship or residency and deport them to the West Bank or Gaza Strip if they have accepted financial aid from the Palestinian Authority.
Irish calling? | A cancer patient in the US developed what researchers say was an “uncontrollable Irish accent” during treatment, despite never having been to Ireland nor having immediate relatives from the country.
Full Story
Why we need to talk about happiness – with Lenore Taylor
With a torrent of grim news around, editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, and assistant editor for features, culture and lifestyle, Celina Ribeiro, talk about how we can find joy without turning away from the world’s most pressing issues.
In-depth
Another day, another sign of impending trouble in the housing market. Yesterday it was news that Domain had seen profits plunge because of a lack of listings. Today it is warnings that there will be an “avalanche” of people in mortgage stress this year when they are obliged to switch from fixed to variable rates. One householder in Wagga Wagga said their repayments had gone up $300 a fortnight. And we also want to hear about the ways, big and small, you’ve adjusted your financial life.
Not the news
The Valentine’s Day “launch” of a relationship between comedian Eric André and the model Emily Ratajkowski (pictured) has cauased a stir, according to Rebecca Shaw, because, well, he’s not quite on her level “looks wise”. She says that straight men should stop listening to other men who clearly despise women, like Andrew Tate, and take a page out of the book of funny and smart men.
The world of sport
Football | The Matildas needed second-half goals from Hayley Raso, Sam Kerr and Clare Polkinghorne to help them overcome a stubborn Czech Republic 4-0 in Gosford last night to kickoff their Cup of Nations campaign.
Cricket | James Anderson took two late wickets to give England the edge in the first Test against New Zealand after the visitors declared on 325-9 after only 57 overs.
Skiing | Mikaela Shiffrin won the gold medal in the women’s giant slalom to become the most successful skier in the modern history of the Alpine world championships.
Media roundup
The Australian has an exclusive interview with former defence minister Linda Reynolds who says she was the victim of a “political hit job” in the fallout of the Brittany Higgins rape case. The Daily Telegraph says that scientists have discovered three new species of spider in Australia, one of which is a a “ferocious” hunter. The Courier Mail says there has been an outpouring of grief in the close-knit town of Cloncurry after the death of two miners yesterday.
What’s happening today
Economy | The Committee for Economic Development of Australia gathers business leaders for its annual economic and policy forum in Sydney.
Education | The federal government hosts a summit on children’s early years, with advocates calling for guaranteed access to at least two years of preschool.
Covid | Experts are set to give evidence on the impacts of long Covid at. ahearing in Canberra.
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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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