Morning everyone. Donald Trump is ratcheting up the pressure on European leaders to help him out in his war against Iran – but so far with limited effect. We report on the reaction, and the pushback in the US about Trump’s shifting war aims.
As the price of oil continued to fluctuate wildly on global markets overnight, bringing uncertainty to the Australian economy, experts say shifting to EVs will increase energy security.
Plus, we’ve been on the ground in South Australia to hear from One Nation voters as the party threatens an election upset. And in Sydney’s Inner West a new cycle and walking path is driving residents into a rage.
Australia
‘I don’t feel heard’ | One Nation is riding high in the polls but can they resonate with mainstream voters when it matters? Voters in South Australia tell Dan Jervis-Bardy why they are backing Pauline Hanson in the state election.
Fuel security | Australia could reduce its reliance on foreign fuel by more than 1bn litres a year if it replaced 1m petrol-fuelled cars with electric vehicles. Experts say boosting sales of EVs can help secure the nation’s long-term economic security amid more fluctuations in the price of oil on global markets
Panic stations | Dozens of service stations across Australia have run out of petrol as distributors struggle to keep up with panic buying.
Biennale bust-up | The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, has ruled out cutting funding for Sydney’s Biennale arts festival after Jewish groups condemned an American DJ who claimed during her set that a “Zio-Australian-Epstein empire” was responsible for silencing dissenters.
Smoke signal | Donna Lu looks at how a vape triggered an urgent “pan call” on a Virgin Australia domestic flight, whether they pose an ongoing risk and what airlines can do.
World
‘Not our war’ | European countries have ruled out sending warships to the strait of Hormuz, despite threats from Donald Trump that Nato faces “a very bad future” if members fail to help defend the commerce shipping lane from Iranian attack. The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said it was “not Nato’s war” while Keir Starmer said the UK will not be drawn in. In the US, Trump was criticised for suggesting US efforts to protect the strait were perhaps unnecessary – and that “maybe we shouldn’t even be there at all”. A relative of an Ohio airman who was killed recently in a military airplane crash in Iraq has said the conflict is “uncalled for”. Follow developments here.
Ireland’s triumph | Ireland has been celebrating Jessie Buckley’s best actress Oscar win with thousands of masks of her face reportedly being printed for St Patrick’s Day today. And Norway has also had cause to party after the country won its first Oscar for Sentimental Value. Sean Penn’s no-show for his best supporting actor gong makes him the latest in a long line of Hollywood refuseniks.
UK | A “dangerous paedophile” who sexually abused five children in his care at a nursery in Bristol has been jailed for 24 years.
‘No Walter White’ | A former college dean known as “the professor” has been charged in the US with illicitly dealing methamphetamine in a case recalling television drama Breaking Bad.
Full Story
How Australian police are using ‘less lethal’ weapons at protests
Nour Haydar speaks to Ariel Bogle and Nino Bucci about how police are using controversial “less lethal” weapons, and how some have also been linked to multiple deaths.
In-depth
Sydney’s new GreenWay cycling and pedestrian path linking Iron Cove to the Cooks River has been touted as a great success by the Inner West’s mayor. But residents of a Dulwich Hill street that links two off-road parts of the route vent their fury to Caitlin Cassidy about the hordes of passersby disturbing their suburban idyll.
Not the news
Dennis McIntosh was just 11 when Melbourne’s West Gate bridge collapsed in 1970. The disaster was etched in his mind so clearly that, 56 years on, his play on the subject has become a “jaw-droppingly” staged production at the city’s Sumner theatre, writes our critic Tim Byrne.
Sport
Football | The Matildas’ Women’s Asian Cup ambitions meet their toughest test so far tonight: defending champions China in tonight’s semi-final at Perth Stadium.
AFL | The Sydney Swans have again apologised for the club’s “error of judgment” that resulted in the Jewish community not being mentioned in the AFL’s opening round pre-match tribute to victims of the Bondi terror attack.
Formula One | Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has dismissed Max Verstappen’s criticism of the new Formula One regulations, saying the four-time champion’s “horror show” Red Bull car is the problem.
Media roundup
A poll in Nine newspapers shows that voters blame Anthony Albanese, not Donald Trump, for the rising cost of living. The new Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, will push for more working from home policies as part of his plan to boost the regions, the Australian says. Kyle Sandilands wants to buy ARN, the radio network that is poised to sack him, according to the Telegraph.
What’s happening today
Business | Investor briefing from New York by News Corp chair Lachlan Murdoch and chief executive Robert Thomson.
Crime | Australian Institute of Criminology conference on transnational serious and organised crime in Canberra.
Sign up
Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailIf you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
Contact us
If you have a story tip or technical issue viewing this newsletter, please reply to this email.
If you are a Guardian supporter and need assistance with regards to contributions and/or digital subscriptions, please email customer.help@guardian.co.uk
