Good morning. We lead today on the discovery of First Nations ancestral remains during work on a $3bn housing development north of Adelaide. An archaeological assessment determined it was a burial place dating from before colonisation, possibly one described by the 19th century explorer Charles Sturt. But the discovery has sparked fears and claims that it was a previously unknown massacre site.
In the Middle East, Hamas says it has suspended hostage negotiations because of Israel’s encirclement of al-Shifa hospital.
Plus, we look at the battle over unpaid superannuation, and a new report reveals the “dangerous disgrace” of our pothole-riddled regional roads.
Australia
‘Dangerous disgrace’ | A report warns that regional Australian roads are in a dire state and will get worse due to paltry funding – with funds wasted as councils erect signs in tribute to government grants.
‘This really is a watershed moment’ | The discovery of First Nations remains at the site of a $3bn Adelaide housing development has distressed the Kaurna people amid fears it is a massacre site.
Animal activism | New biosecurity laws being debated in Victoria could see fines doubled to $115,000 for animal activists found trespassing on farms, in a move described as “ag-gag by stealth” by its critics.
‘Enough is enough’ | The former Coalition minister Robert Hill joins Peter Garrett and former state ministers to back the teal MP Sophie Scamps’ call on governments to push for a national ban on native forest logging.
Heading for turbulence | Travellers could be hit by disruptions as Virgin Australia’s cabin crew and ground workers close in on strike action over claims of “poverty pay” and “unsustainable” conditions.
World
Israel-Hamas war | Gaza medics fight to save patients under bombardment with no power, water or food; Hamas suspends hostage talks over al-Shifa hospital situation; Gulf states fend off an Iranian call to arm Palestinians and end diplomatic relations with Israel at a summit in Riyadh.
Grindavík | Residents from a volcano-threatened Icelandic town have been allowed home – briefly – to collect pets and essential belongings, as experts warn an eruption could come within days or even hours.
‘Recipe for chaos’ | The US House speaker, Mike Johnson, has unveiled a Republican stopgap spending measure aimed at averting a government shutdown – but has run into opposition from both sides.
Plastic pollution | Delegations are meeting in Kenya to thrash out details of a global plastic pollution treaty in what experts say could be most important multilateral treaty since the Paris accord.
‘Democracy is at risk’ | Tens of thousands of people across Spain have protested against the acting government’s plans to secure another term through an amnesty deal for Catalan separatists.
Full Story
When Albanese met Xi: inside the diplomatic reset with China
Last week Anthony Albanese embarked on the first trip to China by an Australian prime minister since 2016, meeting China’s president, Xi Jinping. This moment signals a diplomatic reset between Australia and China after years of turmoil. Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to Katharine Murphy about her first-hand view of the historic trip – and how it served both Australian and Chinese interests.
In-depth
Timber tradie Peter Myall was left at least $15,000 out of pocket from unpaid super when his employer of 20 years went bust in South Australia. His circumstance is sadly by no means unique – Industry Super estimated that in 2018-19 employers across Australia failed to pay $5bn of super. Now a battle is under way to help Australian workers recover their unpaid super, which unions call the last bastion of wage theft.
Not the news
For decades, schoolies week has been mythologised as every parent’s worst nightmare: a rite of passage where thousands of newly graduated high schoolers descend on picturesque beach towns to celebrate their newfound freedom. The stereotype is one of binge drinking, sex, drugs and angry local residents. But while thousands of young people are still opting for the traditional schoolies experience, others are choosing leisure, wellness retreats and cultural immersion over partying and bad hangovers.
The world of sport
Football | Chelsea held league leaders Manchester City to 4-4 draw in a goal-fest thriller; Salah’s double for Liverpool sees off Brentford; Megan Rapinoe bids farewell to the game she helped transform.
Cricket | India crush the Netherlands at the Cricket World Cup as they await New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Formula One | Organisers of the first grand prix in Las Vegas for more than 40 years vow to stage an unmissable event to rival the Super Bowl.
Media roundup
A survey for the Sydney Morning Herald suggests that voters are shedding support for Labor as cost-of-living concerns bite. Experts are warning that Victoria’s new-look State Electricity Commission will fail to deliver on promises to claw back profit from energy companies and deliver relief through lower bills, reports the Age. Hundreds of short-tailed shearwaters have been found dead in Tasmania in a mass mortality event that ocean science researchers claim is far from normal, says the Mercury. And the Australian has the story of the “bush bash” wedding of Barnaby Joyce and Vicki Campion.
What’s happening today
ACT | The trial for David McBride, the former army lawyer accused of revealing information about alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan, is set to begin.
New South Wales | The state’s Australian of the year announcement is due.
Business | Reporting season in the banking sector continues with ANZ due to release its full year results.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
