The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a stark warning that this summer's El Niño weather pattern could be the most severe ever recorded, with the UN cautioning that "the planet is in uncharted waters, and those waters are heating up." The warning comes as global bond market gyrations cause worldwide jitters, and feminist icon Gloria Steinem has died at the age of 92.
El Niño Threat Looms Over Australia
The growing El Niño phenomenon to Australia's east is already breaking heat records, with forecasts indicating it will likely easily surpass previous events, according to the BoM. Separate research suggests climate change has greatly shortened the odds of the event hitting record extremes, compounding concerns for the region.
In related news, an associate professor in forensic psychology at the University of Sydney, Helen Paterson, has won the prestigious Eureka science prize for her work in advancing how police and courts understand victim-survivor testimony in domestic violence cases.
Global and Domestic News Roundup
Two cousins who flew to Nepal to search for their Australian relatives missing in the country's disastrous floods have been forced to wait for the army to restore access to the remote area after finding their way blocked by debris. Cait Kelly reports that the pair described the scene as "there was no road."
Leading public health experts, the Australian Medical Association, and Labor have rejected Angus Taylor's plan to cut tobacco excise by 80%, labelling the move to curb soaring illegal cigarette sales as a backward step on tobacco control.
Tributes to Gloria Steinem and Other World News
Hillary Clinton has led the tributes to Gloria Steinem, the American feminist and journalist who has died aged 92. Her activism helped push through greater rights for women, and she was known for going undercover to expose the treatment of Playboy Bunnies. Her memoir, due to be published this month, now stands as a posthumous testament to her life, writes Emma Brockes.
Iran has continued to demonstrate an ability to target bases in the Gulf used by the US despite six months of war and a new sanctions regime described by the Trump administration as an "economic D-day." Reform UK has been given a further £4m by the British crypto billionaire Ben Delo, with the party saying it is confident the businessman – who was formerly based in Hong Kong – will not be caught by the new overseas donor cap. Victims of the apartheid-era Sharpeville massacre are demanding compensation 66 years on from the attack on hundreds of protesters in South Africa.
Bond Market Turmoil Explained
Patrick Commins explains why everyone is talking about the bond markets and what it means for you. Market action overnight saw the Japanese yen soar by more than 2% against the US dollar after speculation the Bank of Japan is set to raise interest rates amid global bond market jitters.
In sport, Hawthorn stunned Fremantle and a record Perth crowd with a qualifying final win at the Optus Stadium last night, as the minor premiers were humbled on their own turf for the first time this season. In tennis, Alex de Minaur, Naomi Osaka, and Iga Świątek are all appearing today at Flushing Meadows. The former Premier League referee Mike Dean claims he used to take part in secret challenges while officiating, including trying to stay in the centre circle for as long as possible.
Passengers on an international flight bound for Sydney detained a fellow flyer who was allegedly behaving aggressively, the Telegraph claims. Monash University has been condemned after students were asked to ponder whether Julia Gillard was "just another hysterical woman" when she gave her landmark misogyny speech, the Herald Sun reports. After 20 rounds of IVF and with sperm frozen 17 years ago, a Geelong couple are celebrating the birth of a baby boy, the Advertiser reports.
Today's events include the Pacific Island Forum concluding in Palau, ministers meeting in Sydney over aged care bed shortage, and directions at the supreme court at 2pm in a class action against the Liberal party over botched council elections. The day concludes with the Guardian's crosswords to keep you entertained.
