Morning everyone. Is the Liberal party in its worst position since its formation in 1944? Angus Taylor made this assessment to justify resigning from the shadow cabinet last night, and starting what everyone expects to be a challenge to Sussan Ley’s leadership today or tomorrow.
We also have analysis from Queensland of how the LNP’s revival is threatened by the rise of One Nation, mega-rich Australians say mega-rich Australians should be taxed more, and how Australia’s red-hot Winter Olympic hope slipped up.
Australia
Whale worries | After decades of recovery, southern right whales are showing signs of a climate-driven decline in breeding rates, which scientists say is a “warning signal” about changes in the Southern Ocean.
‘Not able to lead’ | Angus Taylor set the stage for a Liberal leadership spill last night when he announced he was quitting the shadow cabinet, saying he did not think that Sussan Ley was “in a position to be able to lead the party as it needs to be led”. Our political editor writes that her leadership is now doomed to end after only nine months but Taylor will face a hard job to win back voters.
Tax call | Three mega-rich Australians – Dick Smith, Graham Marr and Richard Barnes – have called on the Albanese government to introduce wealth and inheritance taxes and change capital gains concessions to help address widening inequality.
Indigenous ‘fear’ | Anthony Albanese will use his annual Closing the Gap speech to parliament later today to acknowledge the “shock and fear” of First Nations people after the alleged terrorist attack in Perth on 26 January.
Smith shock | Steve Smith is set for a shock appearance at the T20 World Cup in South Africa after a testicular injury sidelined the team’s captain, Mitch Marsh. However, Australia didn’t need either of them to beat Ireland by 67 runs with Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa sharing eight wickets.
World
‘Hellish hothouse’ | The world is closer than thought to a “point of no return” after which runaway global heating cannot be stopped, scientists have said.
ICE freeze | Support for Donald Trump’s immigration efforts has dropped dramatically after a wave of public revulsion over violent scenes in Minneapolis involving ICE agents, new poll figures show.
Rape appeal | French police have made a rare international appeal for victims and witnesses in the case of a 79-year-old former teacher accused of raping and sexually assaulting 89 children across five continents from the 1960s until 2022.
Telegram ban | A Russian crackdown on the Telegram social media app risks damaging its own army, pro-war bloggers have warned, as the platform’s founder refused to bend to pressure from Moscow.
Iran’s sorrow | Iran’s president insisted his country was not seeking a nuclear weapon as he acknowledged “great sorrow” after the authorities’ recent crackdown on protesters.
Full Story
Could the Epstein files bring down Keir Starmer?
Guardian Australia’s UK/US site editor, Jonathan Yerushalmy, speaks to Reged Ahmad about how the events of the week unfolded, whether Starmer can hold on to power and how the Epstein files have rocked British politics.
In-depth
David Crisafulli’s Queensland government has been a triumph of pragmatism over purpose, writes our state correspondent Ben Smee, reversing years of LNP dysfunction. But cracks are appearing around a push for tougher abortion and gun laws as the electoral threat of One Nation grows stronger.
Not the news
Australian author Hannah Kent knew nothing about Iceland when she was selected to go there as part of a student exchange. But she explains why the gift of a book of Icelandic poetry was crucial to her becoming an author.
Sport
Winter Olympics | Jakara Anthony has sensationally flopped in her bid to defend her moguls title at the Milano Cortina Olympics, the freestyle skiing great crashing out during her final run to miss out on the medals. Follows the action live.
Rugby union | The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off this weekend with Australia’s four teams needing to make a stirring statement before next year’s home World Cup.
Cricket | As Australia were strolling to victory over Ireland in Colombo, a remarkable game took place in Ahmedabad where South Africa beat Afghanistan after a double super over decider. And England walk a qualifying tightrope after losing to the West Indies.
Football | Title-chasing Manchester City take on Fulham in the Premier League this morning, Sunderland host Liverpool, and there’s a big game at the bottom as Forest host Wolves. Follow the action live. Earlier, Tottenham sacked their manager, Thomas Frank.
Media roundup
Instead of aiding unity, NSW’s protest laws have led to concerns about police brutality, the Sydney Morning Herald says in an editorial. Parents at schools in Victoria are increasingly stumping up for basics amid shortfalls in funding, according to the Age. An award-winning multimillion-dollar winery has rocked the industry after announcing it is to close, the Adelaide Advertiser reports.
What’s happening today
Melbourne | Israeli president Isaac Herzog to visit Melbourne, while protests are expected at Flinders Street station.
Economy | RBA’s Sarah Hunter speaks at a CEDA event on full employment in Perth.
Film | Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi attend a Wuthering Heights screening at the State Theatre in Sydney at 6pm.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
