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The world of music mourns one of its greatest ever performers and songwriters; Ottawa government retaliates against Washington ‘dollar for dollar’
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Australia news — Martin Farrer
Morning everyone. The world, it is fair to say, will always love Dolly Parton, the legendary country star, songwriter and philanthropist who has died at the age of 80. We have reaction to her passing, tributes and an appreciation of a giant of popular music.
We also report on how firms planning to build datacentres could circumvent incoming legislation if they secure permission quickly, how – and why – the Greens could thwart a koala sanctuary, and Canada declaring a trade war on Trump’s America.
Greens block | The creation of NSW’s koala national park will protect the animals and cap logging but the plan could be blocked by an unlikely Greens/Nationals coalition, driven by concerns by environmental activists that polluting companies will use it to claim carbon credits.
Data rush | Planned datacentres around Australia could avoid strict new rules being proposed by Anthony Albanese if they can secure approvals in the coming months amid growing calls for a moratorium. Meanwhile, the carbon emissions from just two planned datacentres in England will exceed all of the fossil fuel company ExxonMobil’s UK emissions, analysis has revealed.
Parole rejected | A Sydney man convicted of writing “Fuk Israel” on cars and setting another vehicle alight has had his release on parole rejected a second time , despite a supreme court judge stating the case appeared to be a “serious miscarriage of justice”.
Gay rights | One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts told a conference earlier this year that he was in “two minds” about gay people as he responded to a question about the party’s director, James Ashby, who is gay, adding “I don’t think we can afford to ban them”.
Bail breach | Northern Territory police have charged federal Labor MP Luke Gosling with breaching bail conditions less than one month after he was arrested over the alleged assault of the Territory’s administrator, David Connolly.
‘This really hurts’ | Tributes are flowing for Dolly Parton, one of the greatest singer-songwriters in country music, who has died aged 80 . Dolly, as she was universally known, was also much cherished for her philanthropy. As our critic writes, “beneath the wig and the rhinestones” she was a brilliant songwriter who was always certain of her talent. Check out our gallery of her life , and follow reactions live .
Canada tariffs | Canada has announced it will impose tariffs on a wide range of key American industries in the coming weeks as it retaliates roughly “dollar for dollar” against levies imposed by the US, with most of the tariffs set at 25% or 50%. It comes as Americans’ confidence in the economy declined again this month; Donald Trump is facing criticism from within his own party over his decision to pause US tariffs on foreign beef in a bid to bring down grocery prices.
China warning | Canada’s frustration with Trump comes as the administration faced a warning from China that the threat of US sanctions for its trade with Iran would be met with “all necessary measures” to protect its national interests. The uncertainty over the Middle East conflict pushed gold prices to their highest level in more than three months while the US treasurer, Scott Bessent, was warned that his attempt to calm the bond markets would fail.
Haiti horror | At least 47 people have been killed and more than 50 others kidnapped after armed men attacked a once peaceful community near Haiti’s capital.
Maxwell fail | A US judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal effort to throw out her 2021 conviction on sex-trafficking charges and 20-year prison sentence, calling her claims “demonstrably meritless”.
Who’s responsible for fixing the AFL’s culture problem?
Matilda Bosley is joined by sports writer and editor Martin Pegan to unpack why, and how, the conversation around AFL needs to change.
One Nation’s apparent confusion over its migration policy has caused Paul Daley to reflect this week on his sense of Australia. His patriotism can be stirred mildly by the Ashes but the multicultural success of the Socceroos or the integration of Vietnamese refugees is his real antidote to the right’s angry nationalism.
You would not necessarily associate William Yang with a murder mystery, but the circumstances of his uncle’s death form a key part of a new exhibition showing in Victoria. The photographer, best known for his pictures of Sydney’s gay community, tells Oliver Giles about his family history, “coming out as Chinese” and how he sees the world becoming “rightwing and anti-gay”.
Cricket | Angry England captain Joe Root declared himself “really hacked off” by the latest drinking drama to engulf his side, claiming they must work hard to regain public trust.
Football | Manchester United have completed the signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in a deal worth up to £70m.
Cycling | Vuelta leader Tadej Pogacar put almost three minutes into the entire field with a typically dominant solo victory on stage four in Andorra.
A new AI factory has been given the green light from a northern Tasmanian council, the Mercury says, despite strong local opposition. The Australian claims big employers have warned Albanese that the nation’s competitiveness must improve amid what the paper calls internal unrest over the budget. One of the Australian wine industry’s “foundational figures” and the visionary behind Rutherglen’s muscat and signature red is mourned by the Border Mail . And an emotional speech by Jordan Dawson, the Crows skipper, was the highlight of the AFL Awards last night, the Age reckons.
Victoria | A memorial service in Bright at 10am will mark one year since the Porepunkah shootings.
Economics | Inflation figures will be released at 11.30am, the new Asic chair will speak at noon, and Kevin Rudd will address an ANU event on the Chinese economy at 7pm.
Education | Prof Carolyn Evans, chair of Universities Australia, will address the National Press Club.
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here , or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter . You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland .
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
We also report on how firms planning to build datacentres could circumvent incoming legislation if they secure permission quickly, how – and why – the Greens could thwart a koala sanctuary, and Canada declaring a trade war on Trump’s America.
This report is published with credit to theguardian.com. Full available text from the wire is above. Read on theguardian.com →
Source: theguardian.com · Martin Farrer. Published 25 Aug 2026, 09:12 pm.
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