Morning mail: China criticises Aukus, global Covid rates soar, the swearing chef

Friday: China's acting ambassador accuses Australia of sabre wielding' with nuclear submarine deal. Plus: pressure to raise the Wyangala Dam after flooding

Good morning!

China's acting ambassador to Australia, Wang Xining, has likened Australia to a naughty guy" over the Aukus nuclear submarine deal, saying it jeopardises Australia's peace-loving reputation and the Australian people should be more worried". In an interview with Guardian Australia, he also called on Australian politicians to refrain from doing anything that's destructive to our relationship" after the defence minister, Peter Dutton, signalled Australia would be likely to participate if the US came to Taiwan's aid in a conflict with China.