Good morning. More grim news for the planet, and not just because Greta Thunberg has been detained. But it’s been a good night for Novak Djokovic, at least. Happy Wednesday, here’s this morning’s news.
Australia
Exclusive | Philip Ruddock’s Sydney council is challenging the legality of GST levies on local government. The claim could be worth several million to the council and tens or hundreds of millions across the 537 councils that make up the third tier of government in Australia.
‘Skills to defend their homeland’ | Dozens of Australian defence force personnel will fly to the UK this week to begin training Ukrainian troops, focusing on “basic infantry tactics for urban and wooded environments”.
Cashless gaming card | The New South Wales treasurer refuses to say if a $1,000-a-day pokies spending cap is too high, as an independent MP says the card’s daily limit should be more like $100.
Robodebt inquiry | Former human services minister Alan Tudge and his then media officer, Rachelle Miller, will appear before the royal commission in coming weeks, as will the then social services minister, Christian Porter.
Lying in state | Cardinal George Pell’s body will be held at St Mary’s in Sydney, before a private burial. The cathedral dean says thousands of mourners from Australia and overseas are expected to attend requiem mass on 2 February.
World
Taliban Twitter | Blue check mark account verifications bought by the Afghanistan’s hardline Islamist rulers appear to have been removed, after many expressed outrage.
‘Extinction crisis’ | Almost two-thirds of sharks and rays that live around the world’s coral reefs are at risk – largely due to overfishing – and their decline could have dire knock-on effects.
Anti-corruption drive | Vietnam’s president, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, has resigned after days of rumours he was about to be sacked, according to state media reports.
Anti-abortion moves | The Spanish government is taking legal action to prevent far-right authorities in the Castilla y León region introducing controversial protocols.
Greta detained | Greta Thunberg was among climate activists carried away by police during a protest against the demolition of a German village to make way for a coalmine.
Full Story
The arrest of Andrew Tate: the ‘king of toxic masculinity’
The kickboxer turned social media star – who calls himself a misogynist and has millions of followers – has been arrested on charges that include human trafficking. What happened?
In-depth
Atmospheric dust may have hidden the true extent of global heating. Material from dry landscapes has surged since the 1800s, possibly helping to cool the planet for decades. An atmospheric physicist leading new research says it shows that “so far, we’ve had the emergency brake on”.
Not the news
“Australia’s finest white soul singer was ambitious, unapologetic and too often overlooked,” Andrew Stafford writes. The first woman to co-write and co-produce an album in the country never found a firm footing on the charts – but Renée Geyer has left a catalogue ripe for reappraisal.
The world of sport
Australian Open | Novak Djokovic has crushed Carballés Baena on his joyous return, melting Melbourne hearts … almost.
Ons Jabeur | The No 2 seed survived an early scare in the tournament, but two-time slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza is out
Eleventh-hour coaches | Eddie Jones, Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland have no time to experiment, Robert Kitson observes, as the race towards this year’s Rugby World Cup enters its final stages.
Media roundup
East-coast gas prices may rise by as much as 20% next month as producers hike prices, according to the Australian. The army will today announce that it’s ditching its troubled Taipan helicopters early, the ABC says, replaced the European-made fleet with a multibillion-dollar purchase of American-made Black Hawks. And according to the Daily Telegraph, a Dominic Perrottet re-election in NSW will see “well-behaved” drivers getting minor fines waived.
What’s happening today
Cassius Turvey | Jack Steven James Brearley will appear in court for the murder of a 15-year-old Noongar boy in Perth.
Reflecting on disaster | Twenty years after Canberra’s most destructive bushfires, which destroyed 500 homes and killed four people, a report will be released.
Australian Open | The summer grand slam continues in Melbourne – find our latest coverage here.
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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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