Morning everyone. Our latest Essential poll gives some insight into how the country feels about global warming, and what we should do about it. Fewer than one in three voters believe we’re on track towards net zero emissions by 2050 (the official Albanese government target). But more than half think we’re doing enough – or too much – to combat climate change. This marks a seven-year low ebb in belief we must do more to fight climate change.
In other news, Stan Grant has made some spiky remarks about the failure of the voice referendum, Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a Gaza ceasefire, and there’s a new theory of what did in the dinosaurs.
Australia
‘No tolerance for history’ | Stan Grant has given a powerful speech analysing the failure of the voice referendum, saying Australia was not “big enough” and that public figures who talk about racism are dubbed “troublemakers”. He also delivered a thinly veiled swipe at Indigenous no campaigner Jacinta Nampijinpa Price for having “no tolerance for history”.
Exclusive | Fewer than one in three voters believe Australia is on track to meet the Albanese government’s target of net zero emissions by 2050, according to our latest Essential poll. It also shows that half of Australians support nuclear energy, and although renewables remain popular, their local impact and transmission infrastructure are a concern.
Fracking risk | Fracking to extract gas from the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin could lead to much larger greenhouse gas emissions than the territory government has claimed, according to new analysis.
Pacific play | Australia dramatically increased its overall support to the Pacific in 2021 to become the leading source of loans, while Beijing is targeting its financing to “the most China-friendly island states”, the Lowy Institute says.
A night for ‘Switchcraft’ | While children might be thinking about witchcraft tonight, many parents will be practising “Switchcraft” to swap out trick or treat sweets for healthier snacks and manage the Halloween sugar overload.
World
Hostages release | Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and said that “this is a time of war”. Israeli forces have announced the release of a soldier hostage – Pte Ori Megidish (pictured centre) – hours after Hamas launched a video of three other hostages who remain in captivity. Tanks have reached the outskirts of Gaza City and appear to be advancing from two sides as the Israeli military stepped up its assault on the enclave. We also have a fascinating feature about why US evangelical support for Israel is so strong and why the conflict is seen as a significant portent.
Petrol primed | Drivers face a spike in petrol prices if a World Bank prediction that oil prices could soar to a record high of more than $150 a barrel thanks to the Israel-Hamas conflict comes true.
McCann apology | Portuguese police have apologised to the family of Madeleine McCann for the handling of the unsolved case, more than 16 years after the three-year-old’s mystery disappearance in 2007.
‘Engaged in insurrection’ | A legal effort to keep Donald Trump off the 2024 presidential ballot as an insurrectionist has begun with a court case in Colorado, the first of two states that will hear legal arguments this week.
Dust to dust | The impact of a meteor in Mexico 66m years ago is accepted as the cause of dinosaurs’ extinction. But a new scientific paper argues that the precise cause was the vast amount of dust and soot thrown up by the cataclysmic event.
Full Story
Greg Jericho: a ‘silly’ rate rise won’t solve inflation
All four big banks are predicting the Reserve Bank will raise interest rates next week. Guardian columnist Greg Jericho explains why a rate hike would increase the pain on households for little gain.
In-depth
From the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum to the trials of Donald Trump, and from the Brittany Higgins saga to the Aukus submarines debate, Russ Radcliffe picks the best political cartoons of the year such as our own Fiona Katauskas on the referendum (above).
Not the news
By rushing to give Eddie Jones (pictured) control over the national men’s and women’s programs, only to have him decimate the former and ignore the latter, Rugby Australia have delivered disaster to player morale, disillusionment to longsuffering fans and greatly devalued rugby’s brand for all current and future sponsors and broadcasters. Angus Fontaine delivers a withering assessment of the state of Australian rugby and asks how it can recover before the 2027 World Cup on home soil.
The world of sport
Matildas | As she breaks into the first team, midfielder Amy Sayer (pictured) talks about her Asian roots, ambition and an unlikely passion for bioethics.
Football | The former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been banned by Fifa from all football activity for three years for planting an unwanted kiss on Spain footballer Jenni Hermoso after her team won the World Cup in Sydney.
Rugby World Cup | Catch up on our experts’ verdicts on the best matches, best players and best tries. Spoiler alert: Australia don’t win too many.
Media roundup
The Australian boasts an exclusive claiming that a Chinese mining executive is trying to take control of a critical mineral company despite being banned from trading in Australian shares. The Sydney Morning Herald opines that Rugby Australia boss Hamish McLennan must follow Eddie Jones out of the door after the World Cup debacle. The Adelaide Advertiser investigates what’s behind South Australia’s ballooning death rate. Tourists are flooding back to Melbourne after the pandemic and spending more on eating out and going to events, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Protests expected at the Imarc mining conference.
Canberra | Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt to speak at the National Press Club on body image.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
