BHP delays climate projects, Pope denounces AI, world's longest golf course featured

Morning everyone. We reveal leaked documents showing the world’s biggest mining company has hit the brakes on decarbonising its vast Pilbara operations in Western Australia. Experts say the massive polluter dragging its feet on climate action could have national – and global – implications.

The pope has denounced AI, we have a podcast with David Pocock about why he isn’t ruling out a “teal” political party, and we check out the Nullarbor Links, the world’s longest golf course at 1,365km.

Australia

Bird count | The Australian magpie has again topped the charts in BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count as the feathered friend most often spotted across the country.

Budget push | Anthony Albanese will present controversial changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax to parliament on Thursday, pushing for speedy passage of the plans while flagging possible carve-outs for businesses beyond the startup sector.

Flotilla claims | Australians returning home from detention in Israel say they were abused, tortured and demeaned while in custody and have asked to meet the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, to discuss their treatment.

‘Homesickness’ | A damning NSW auditor general’s report has found that the $100m relief scheme has not delivered a single home or lot since the devastating 2022 Lismore floods.

Far for the course | Stretching 1,365km across the remote Australian outback, the Nullarbor Links takes a week to complete and inspires devotion among the players, whose annual competition has just finished.

World

Tehran doubts | Iran has poured cold water on suggestions that a peace deal with the US is imminent, pointing to the confusion in US positions and Israeli interference as key factors in why a complete agreement is proving difficult to secure. Meanwhile, Israel intensified strikes on Lebanon. Earlier, oil prices fell below $100 a barrel on hopes of a deal.

Ebola warning | The World Health Organization has warned that the Ebola outbreak is outpacing response efforts and countries neighbouring the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are at high risk from the disease.

Papal bull | Pope Leo has denounced the “culture of power” driving the rapid rise of artificial intelligence while warning that the technology must be subject to the “most rigorous” ethical constraints as it infiltrates everything from work to war.

Cave rescue | Divers who helped in the dramatic rescue of a young Thai football team in 2018 have joined efforts to free seven people who have been trapped for five days inside a remote, flooded cave in central Laos.

Cheese roll | Tom Kopke, a YouTuber from Germany, has out-tumbled local hero Chris Anderson in the annual cheese-rolling contest in a sweltering Gloucestershire.

Full Story

David Pocock on whether a ‘teal’ party is possible

Independent senator David Pocock tells Reged Ahmad he is open to the idea of a teal “party” but that it is not without risks. Our chief political correspondent, Dan Jervis-Bardy, has explained what is driving the debate.

In-depth

An exclusive investigation based on documents leaked to Guardian Australia and the ABC show that BHP has delayed major climate projects, made new purchases of polluting diesel trucks and scrapped a proposed plant that would have cut vast amounts of emissions. The revelations contained in a leaked internal memo raise serious questions about the Albanese government’s climate policies and whether they allow companies such as BHP to delay action without penalty. It shows how the company scrapped a plan to build greener facilities in the Pilbara, and our environment editor argues the miner must act on emissions.

Not the news

In shades of the hit medical TV series The Pitt, Roland Bull talks us through his first experience as a surgical assistant in the latest edition of our series on the jobs that changed people’s lives.

Sport

Tennis | Alex de Minaur eased past British qualifier Toby Samuel in straight sets at Roland Garros, while a rejuvenated Daria Kasatkina powered through to the second round and Thanasi Kokkinakis won another trademark five-set comeback.

Swimming | Cam McEvoy has had a dig at the inaugural Enhanced Games with a post saying “Seriously?! That’s all you got!” after Greece’s Kristian Gkolomeev went under McEvoy’s 50m freestyle world record time at the Games in Las Vegas.

NRL | Andrew Abdo left the NRL’s top job yesterday but his exit emerged as something of a punchline for Peter V’landys, the wisecracking chair who now takes full control of the sport.

Media roundup

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Australia will spend nearly $150m on Chris Bowen’s role as president of negotiations at the UN’s next climate conference. One Nation’s lead over the Coalition has reached its widest margin since the Liberal leadership spill that forced Sussan Ley out, a Telegraph poll reports. Jacinta Allan has rejected the prime minister’s gun buyback scheme, according to the Age. One in four taxi passengers have been ripped off by dodgy drivers and “busted meters”, the Courier Mail claims.

What’s happening today

Technology | Commonwealth Bank AI conference in Sydney with speakers including the bank’s chief executive, Matt Comyn, Open AI boss Sam Altman and Coles boss Leah Weckert.

Canberra | Former treasurer Joe Hockey and a former Trump acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, speak at the National Press Club.

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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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