Morning everyone. Anthony Albanese has thrown Australia’s weight behind the UK government plan to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession. Former UK minister Peter Mandelson has been arrested in relation to his Jeffrey Epstein links, while the former prince has also been mocked by activists with an unauthorised hanging in the Louvre.
Plans to build a fast rail link between Sydney and Newcastle are picking up speed with an announcement of more funding today, and Choice is courting controversy over its hot cross bun recommendation.
Australia
On track? | The long-awaited plans for high-speed rail could be “shovel-ready” within two years, the federal government says as it prepares to announce another $230m for further planning work for fast trains between Sydney and Newcastle.
Line of duty | The Australian government has confirmed it would support any proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession after the former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in relation to his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein. Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to Washington, has been arrested on the same charge. In a further humiliation, a picture of Mountbatten-Windsor leaving police custody has been hung in the Louvre by activists.
Return mission | New South Wales authorities are preparing for about a third of the group of Australian women and children linked to Islamic State fighters to return to the state, if authorities in Syria allow them to leave the Roj refugee camp.
‘Stuff of nightmares’ | Requests for assistance to aged care advocacy services have surged since the government introduced a controversial assessment tool for home care support, with one woman in her 80s describing it as “the stuff of nightmares”.
Bun fight | Consumer advocacy group Choice has risked controversy in the annual taste test of supermarket hot cross buns by awarding one of its highest ever scores to a Woolworths chocolate bun.
World
‘Sabotage’ of Ukraine | European leaders have accused Hungary of sabotaging support for Ukraine on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion, after a defiant Budapest blocked fresh economic measures against Moscow. Julia Kochetova, whose photographs have captured the war with power and humanity for the Guardian, tells us how she has coped on the frontline.
Mexico violence | Whole areas of western Mexico have been all but shut down after a surge in cartel violence sparked by a military raid that killed one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers, known as “El Mencho”. There are also concerns it could affect Mexico’s co-hosting of the World Cup.
‘Obnoxious’ tariffs | Donald Trump has declared that he can use tariffs in a “much more powerful and obnoxious way”, as the UK and the EU said they are seeking urgent clarity on the US trade deals they struck last summer.
Duterte ‘brutality’ | Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, was “at the very heart” of brutal anti-drugs campaigns that led to the killing of thousands of people, prosecutors at the international criminal court have argued, as they called for charges against him to proceed to trial.
Bafta bust | The fallout over outbursts by Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson at the Baftas has continued after Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce expressed their dismay at the incident.
Full Story
The UK reckons with Epstein, when will Trump’s America?
Our Washington bureau chief, David Smith, speaks to Reged Ahmad about how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s UK arrest highlights a lack of action in the US on the Epstein files.
In-depth
Pauline Hanson’s remarks about Muslims have prompted outrage but, despite federal and state governments having hate speech laws, they may not be applicable to a prosecution of the One Nation leader. Adeshola Ore explains why.
Not the news
For her rookie era, Sian Cain’s has chosen to learn to paint with oils. She writes about her artistic odyssey and how it taught her to find pleasure in struggle.
Sport
Winter Olympics | Australian athletes enjoyed their most successful ever winter games in Italy but, for those like snowboard star and three-time medallist Scotty James, there is still regret about what might have been. US star Lindsey Vonn said she almost had to have her leg amputated after her crash.
Champions League | Uefa has provisionally suspended Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni for tomorrow’s Champions League match against Real Madrid after he allegedly racially abused Vinícius Júnior in last week’s first leg.
Football | Everton host Manchester United this morning in the last of the weekend’s Premier League round. Follow it live.
Media roundup
The boss of Southern Cross Austereo has left the business as the company reports results, the Sydney Morning Herald says. South Australian Liberals have announced a $600,000 plan to reverse the state’s youth brain drain, the Adelaide Advertiser reports. WAtoday reveals that Woodside asked the government to ensure its media messaging “aligned” with the gas giant’s over its North West Shelf project.
What’s happening today
Tax | Public hearing in Canberra for federal parliamentary inquiry into the quality and safety of early childhood education and the childcare system.
Royal commission | The royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion will hold its first public hearing.
Business | Nine Entertainment first-half results and Woodside Energy full-year results.
Education | Universities Australia conference in Canberra.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
