| | | 21/02/2024 Building waste found in mulch, Assange’s last chance hearing begins, Darling River ‘destroyed’ |
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| | | | Morning everyone. Julian Assange was too ill to attend the last-chance hearing overnight that could see his immediate extradition to the US. We have the latest news from the WikiLeaks founder’s court challenge in London. Back home, the New South Wales mulch scandal widens again today with our exclusive story revealing that the material at the centre of the crisis has been found to contain building waste as well as asbestos. We’re also looking at how more efficient cars could save motorists half their yearly petrol bill. Plus, historians vote Donald Trump America’s worst-ever president. |
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| Australia | | Fishing ban | Fishing for the beloved blue groper by any method will be prohibited in New South Wales under changes to be trialled by the state government, with penalties of up to six months in jail. | ‘Foreign materials’ | The New South Wales environment watchdog says it has found building waste as well as asbestos when testing mulch made by Greenlife Resource Recovery at the Prospect Highway upgrade in Blacktown. Greenlife said its recycled mulch was made only from “waste timber products”. | River ‘destroyed’ | An ecologist who spent 36 years with the New South Wales fisheries department says government scientists are “aghast” at the state of the Darling River, where they say agriculture concerns have trumped environmental ones. | Fuel saver | Australians could save, on average, almost half of their yearly petrol costs if proposed rules forcing carmakers to make more fuel efficient vehicles are adopted, new analysis shows. | Taxing matter | The Australian Taxation Office justified its controversial “robotax” scheme that resurrects decades-old debts by arguing that people could always apply to have their debt waived by the finance minister. |
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| World | | ‘Denial of justice’ | Julian Assange faces the risk of a “flagrant denial of justice” if tried in the US, his lawyers have told a permission to appeal hearing in London, which could result in the WikiLeaks founder being extradited within days if unsuccessful. | Ceasefire veto | The US vetoed an Arab-backed United Nations resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, although Washington is pushing to rein in Israel while keeping Hamas at bay. | Trump trounced | Donald Trump finished 45th and rock bottom of a list ranking US presidents by greatness, trailing even “historically calamitous chief executives” who failed to stop the civil war or botched its aftermath, and one who only lasted 31 days. | Brain power | The first human patient implanted with a brain chip from Neuralink appears to have fully recovered and is able to control a computer mouse using their thoughts, the startup’s founder, Elon Musk, has said. | Tipped off | A Michigan restaurant server who received a $10,000 tip on a $32 bill says she has been fired amid a dispute over how many of her colleagues deserved a share of the gratuity. |
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| Full Story | | | The shocking death and extraordinary life of Alexei Navalny Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, was Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critic. What does his death in a Siberian prison tell us about Russia today? Andrew Roth reports. | |
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| In-depth | | When Katarina Carroll finally relented to months of pressure yesterday and quit as Queensland’s police chief, it was a victory for the old guard of senior male officers who have resisted her attempts to change the force’s culture. But while she has been scapegoated for public fear about youth crime, our state bureau chief Ben Smee argues that Queensland’s crime rates are largely being driven by domestic violence, not the sorts of youth issues that fill newspapers. |
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| Not the news | | Is it OK to lift your baby’s legs when changing their nappy? Should you let them cry until they fall asleep? How do you make sure you get enough sleep yourself? These are some of the many questions asked by Ariel Bogle after becoming a mother. But the hard bit, she writes, is sifting through all the noise on social media and finding the right advice – or just ignoring it altogether. |
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| The world of sport | | AFL | The world of AFL has been rocked by news that Melbourne Demons player Joel Smith has been accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine by Sports Integrity Australia. The ACT government has rebuked the GWS Giants for signing a sponsorship deal with gambling giant Tabcorp. | A-League Men | Professional Footballers Australia, the players’ union, has gone public with concerns about the direction of the A-Leagues and management by the APL. | Champions League | Inter Milan play host to Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven welcome Dortmund as the next set of last 16 ties get under way in Europe this morning. |
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| Media roundup | Clive Palmer’s wife, Anna, and Warren Mundine are among Moira Deeming’s financial backers as she sues the Victorian Liberal leader, John Pesutto, for defamation, the Australian reports. The lead in the Daily Telegraph is the “mystery” of three bodies found in western Sydney. The Adelaide Advertiser welcomes the securing of the city’s naval shipbuilding future but says there are still unanswered questions. The popular Adventure World theme park south of Perth is under threat from bushfires, the West Australian reports. |
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| What’s happening today | Canberra | The ATO’s taxation commissioner, Chris Jordan, addresses the National Press Club. | Business | The Star and Woolworths post half-year earnings results, and Santos and Rio Tinto have annual results. | South Australia | Senate inquiry hearing into closure of banks in rural and regional Australia. |
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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. | |
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| 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 [email protected] |
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| | | Lenore Taylor | | Editor, Guardian Australia |
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| | I hope you appreciated this newsletter. Before you move on, I wonder if you would consider supporting Guardian Australia. As we look ahead to the challenges of 2024, we’re aiming to power more rigorous, independent reporting.
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