Morning everyone. More Australians are switching to EVs with one dealer reporting a lift of 20% in sales amid more warnings about fuel shortages and higher food prices, and a reader tells us he now has to pay $50 for his daily commute. In the Middle East, Iran has given a negative response to talk of peace talks.
In what could be a very consequential test case, a US jury has ruled Meta and YouTube liable for deliberately designing addictive products that hooked a young user.
We also have two exclusive stories: the federal government is refusing to give details about the how many Chinese people are trying to get to Australia by boat, and Victoria’s Labor government has shelved its long-promised animal cruelty bill.
Australia
Exclusive | A bill promised by Victorian Labor recognising all animals as sentient and raising care requirements to crack down on mistreatment by owners will not be introduced before this year’s state election.
Exclusive | The Australian government has refused to reveal how many Chinese nationals have arrived in Australia by boat since 2024, saying that disclosing the figure may harm relations with other countries.
Supercharged sales | Sales of EVs and hybrids have increased since the US-Israel war with car yards reporting a spike in interest, especially among younger buyers, and potentially saving the country hundreds of millions in fuel a year. Independent petrol station operators and miners are urging the federal government to crack down on major fuel wholesalers if they withhold deliveries from smaller operators.
Prices risk | Farmers say Australian consumers could pay more for everyday staples for the next year at least as the US-Israel war on Iran pushes up diesel above $3 a litre and the prospect of rationing looms over the nation. The situation would make Covid look like a “tea party”, one said. Our economics editor looks at the risk of stagflation as higher prices combine with a business slump.
Cyclone threat | Tropical Cyclone Narelle was again intensifying into a severe storm off Western Australia’s Kimberley coast last night with communities in the state’s world heritage-listed Shark Bay preparing for a potential direct hit tomorrow night.
World
‘Unreasonable’ demands | Iranian officials expressed initial disapproval of a US ceasefire plan even as intermediaries suggested direct talks between the two could start as early as this weekend. Republicans are trying to get more funding for the war from Congress, but the conflict has exposed how the US has gone from a kind of global guardian to an arbiter of chaos. Europe could face fuel rationing by next month if the war in Iran continues, the boss of Shell said. Israel is using white phosphorus to scorch earth in south Lebanon, according to Human Rights Watch. Follow developments live.
‘The pits of hell’ | In a special report, our reporter Mark Townsend reconstructs the two days in October last year when about 10,000 people were massacred in the Sudanese city of El Fasher.
Social media harm | In a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, a jury has ruled that Meta and YouTube should pay US$3m compensation to a young woman who said she became addicted to YouTube and Instagram as a child, damaging her mental health.
Epstein blank | Jeffrey Epstein’s accountant and his attorney said federal investigators never interviewed them about the late financier’s crimes, according to deposition videos released by Congress.
Dog’s life | Ancient DNA analysis has revealed that the enduring bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years – pushing back the oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs by 5,000 years.
Full Story
Is Israel deploying the ‘Gaza model’ in Lebanon?
Our Beiruit-based reporter William Christou speaks to Nour Haydar about Israel’s plans to occupy southern Lebanon, displacing more than a million people.
In-depth
From concerns about healthcare to getting to work, and from worrying about maintaining long-distance relationships to changing holiday plans, we asked readers to tell us how the fuel crisis is affecting their day-to-day lives. As one regional Australian puts it: “$50 per day to get to work. How is that sustainable? I pay less in food than I do in fuel for a week.”
Not the news
As he prepares to play his 250th AFL match, Demons legend Max Gawn talks to Jack Snape about what the game has given him, the importance of a “healthy balance” in life and why he hopes he never falls out of love with footy.
Sport
Swimming | Cameron McEvoy surprised both himself and the swimming world when he broke the longstanding 50m freestyle world record in China last week, putting his success down to a radical training regime.
Basketball | The NBA has voted to move forward with new teams in Vegas and Seattle. Here’s what it means for the future of the league.
Football | Saudi clubs are ready to do battle to sign Mo Salah when his contract with Liverpool ends in June.
Media roundup
A “globally catastrophic” El Niño could form by spring, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, causing extreme temperatures into 2027. Queensland’s deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, has confirmed Rockhampton as the sole venue for Olympic rowing in 2032 despite opposition from athletes, the Courier Mail reports.
What’s happening today
Economy | Reserve Bank assistant governor Christopher Kent gives a speech in Sydney at 9.15am, national accounts released at 11.30am, and the OECD interim economic outlook is out at 9pm.
Foreign policy | German defence minister Boris Pistorius speaks at the National Press Club at 11.30am
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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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