Good morning. A new report reveals that New South Wales has the largest gap of any of the states between its 2030 emissions reduction goals and the present pace of renewables rollout.
NSW is less than halfway to its goal, the Green Energy Markers report suggests, a performance that will make it harder for Australia to meet the federal government’s 82% renewable energy target for the national grid by the end of the decade.
We also report the climate implications of a huge new figure for the number of Australia’s cows, and overseas US senator Katie Britt is under fire over claims she made in her widely mocked State of the Union reply. Plus – it’s Oscars day! Keep your eye on Guardian Australia for all the news, frocks and surprises.
Australia
Energy | NSW’s legislated electricity infrastructure roadmap indicates the state would need to generate 33,600 gigawatt hours of renewable energy from projects in place by the end of 2029 to meet its targets. However, only about 12,911 gigawatt hours are committed or contracted so far.
Cows | Australia has underestimated how many cattle it has by about 10 million, with significant implications for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, a Queensland researcher has said.
School shopping | Melbourne’s most popular public schools are overflowing – while schools in neighbouring suburbs struggle to draw enrolments. It’s the result of middle-class parents trying to avoid low-income families, one analyst said.
Universities | Thousands of Australian uni students sacrifice their studies, income and health to take on unpaid, compulsory placements as part of their courses. A new federal government proposal would ensure they get paid.
Climate | Extreme heat is forecast to continue across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and NSW for several days, as record temperatures forced the cancellation of long weekend events.
World
Pope Francis | The Ukrainian government responded angrily and vowed never to surrender after Pope Francis said the country should have “the courage to raise the white flag” and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
US politics | The US senator Katie Britt in an interview defended the sex trafficking story that she falsely linked to the Biden presidency. Meanwhile, the president, Joe Biden, said he regretted using the word “illegal” to describe a murder suspect.
Nigeria | Nigerian security forces continued to search forests and set up roadblocks in the north-west of the country in an attempt to find hundreds of kidnapped schoolchildren.
Israel-Hamas war | Displaced Gazan families prepared to spend the holy month of Ramadan in Rafah amid food shortages and fear of attack.
Princess Catherine | The first official photograph of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, was released after a long absence from the public eye after abdominal surgery.
Full Story
In the witness box: former police officer Zachary Rolfe testifies
After months of delays and disruptions, the former Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe testified at the inquest into Warlpiri teenager Kumanjayi Walker’s death. In 2022, Rolfe was found not guilty of murdering the 19-year-old, who he shot three times during a violent arrest. Courts and justice reporter Nino Bucci attended the inquest and explains how racist language and a mock award raised questions about the culture within the NT police.
In-depth
In the south Italian coastal city of Taranto, a steel factory has been spewing toxic iron ore dust since 1965. It once again presents a dilemma: its noxious fumes have caused thousands of cancer deaths over the past six decades. But it’s a major employer in the country’s underdeveloped south.
The long beleaguered plant is back in the news after the Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, appointed a special commissioner to temporarily take it over. Some locals told the Guardian it shouldn’t be saved.
Not the news
Former sheep farmer Derek Gow is on a mission to rewild Britain, one of the most nature-depleted countries on the planet. Having switched sides from team sheep, he wants to reintroduce its mortal enemy: the wolf.
It’s not without precedent; the much-traduced carnivore has loped back into western Europe and is thriving in densely populated countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Gow knows it’s not such a simple matter in Britain, but he’s persisting.
The world of sport
Cricket | New Zealand are in the box seat to claim a drought-busting Test win over their arch-rivals after Australia wilted on day three of the second Test.
Sam Kerr | The former Socceroo Craig Foster has apologised to Sam Kerr for criticising the Matildas captain after it was revealed she allegedly called a police officer in the UK a “stupid white bastard”.
Premier League | Liverpool and Manchester City tied 1-1.
Formula One | The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, warned that there was no guarantee the team could hang on to their three-time world champion Max Verstappen, should he choose to leave.
Media roundup
The Australian covers a study that reveals the $19bn private-hospital sector is in financial crisis, with skyrocketing costs fuelling concerns that more hospitals, health clinics and dental surgeries will close. The embattled private boys’ school Cranbrook will announce an independent review into the scandal that forced out its high-profile headmaster, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. SBS visits the Adelaide cafe that’s become a haven for displaced Ukrainians.
What’s happening today
Oscars | The award ceremony starts at 1oam AEDT. Follow along on the Guardian’s website.
Public holidays | Tasmania, SA, ACT and Victoria are all enjoying a day off.
State politics | Tasmanian Labor is due to launch its state election campaign in Launceston.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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