Morning everyone. Demographics is the slow-burning issue that underpins so many changes in the way we live and how the future is shaped. A perfect illustration comes this morning in a report predicting that the Coalition will find it harder and harder to win elections because young Australians are the most progressive generation for decades and far less likely to shift to the right as they age (like their parents and grandparents have traditionally done). Fascinating stuff, plus we’ve got a scoop on the government suspending a big PwC contract, we’re building up to today’s Icac report into Gladys Berejiklian, and full coverage of a good day in the men’s Ashes test at Lord’s.
Australia
Exclusive | The fallout from PwC’s tax advice scandal has deepened after the federal government suspended a major audit of the aged care sector being carried out by the embattled firm amid concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
‘Tide is turning’ | Australians born after 1996 are the most progressive since the second world war, according to a report by the Centre for Independent Studies, with the Coalition facing a “narrow” path to power in future elections if it can’t appeal to millennials and Generation Z.
Gambling plan | The government should impose an immediate ban on bonus bets, deposit matches and inducements as a much more effective way of curbing gambling than a blanket ban on advertisements, industry insiders say.
Berejiklian findings | Exactly 605 days since the last public hearing into the matter, the New South Wales corruption watchdog will today deliver the findings of its inquiry into the scandal that forced Gladys Berejiklian from office as calls grow for a more streamlined process.
Swiss guarded | SwissHoldings, the group representing companies such as Nestlé and Roche, has pushed back against Australia’s plans to force international businesses to comply with its proposed tax transparency laws, hinting it may rethink its operations in the country.
World
Warming world | Large parts of the southern US are suffering under extreme heat, while in the north 80 million people are under threat from poor air quality (pictured) thanks to smoke from drought-induced wildfires. It comes as a report in Nature warns global heating is transforming some major snowfalls over mountains into extreme rain, worsening dangerous flooding.
General missing | A Russian general, Sergei Surovikin, previously commander of the invading army, has not been seen in public since Saturday, with US intelligence reportedly claiming he had prior knowledge of the uprising led by Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Neo-Nazi alarm | A video of a man wearing neo-Nazi symbols and handing out balloons to a local kindergarten has sparked outrage in Germany, and follows an election breakthrough by the far-right AfD at the weekend.
Wreck of the Titan | Debris from the lost submersible Titan has been brought ashore in Newfoundland, Canada, as the investigation into the vessel’s fatal implosion continues.
Mining the moon | US space agency Nasa has ambitions to mine resources on the moon in the next decade, with the goal of excavating the soil there by 2032.
Full Story
The ‘triumph of cruelty’ in Australia’s asylum seeker policy
As the last refugee leaves Nauru, our chief political correspondent Paul Karp and reporter Eden Gillespie discuss what detainees make of the decision, and what it means for Australia’s deterrence policy.
In-depth
Whether it’s a group trying to block traffic on the Harbour Bridge or a protester invading the pitch at Lord’s, climate activism is becoming increasingly visible. Adam Morton talks to people taking often enormous risks to try to shake us out of what they see as a climate complacency. They include truck driver Brad Homewood, who glued himself to a pole in a road in Melbourne, and Claudia Hannigan, who has tried to block coal trains in Newcastle.
Not the news
A Melissa McCarthy outtake scene from This is 40, the brutality of Celine Dion’s treatment of an adoring fan, and a famous dose of toilet humour: the Australian musician Handsome shares what makes her laugh online.
The world of sport
The Ashes | Steve Smith is nearing yet another century against England as Australia responded strongly to being put in at Lord’s to reach 5-339 at stumps. David Warner made an excellent 66 and even a climate protester on the pitch could not put him off his stride.
On your bike | We’ve got a stage-by-stage guide to the Tour de France ahead of the Grand Départ this Saturday, while a team manager has called for nets on descents after the death of Gino Mader in the Tour of Switzerland.
Football | Arsenal are close to finalising an agreement with West Ham to sign Declan Rice for £105m after Manchester City pulled out of the race for the midfielder.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald carries an extensive preview of today’s New South Wales Icac report, including the “inside story” on how the revelations came to light. The Australian reports that there were “courtroom tears” as the victims of Malka Leifer detailed the consequences of being abused by the former school principal. The big news in the Courier Mail is the resignation of state health chief Shaun Drummond. The Age hears tributes to the famed former Fitzroy AFL player Matt Rendell who has died of a heart attack, aged 64.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Case management hearing for Ben Roberts-Smith costs.
Media | Hearing as Ten sues Peter van Onselen for breach of contract.
Economy | National accounts and job vacancies survey, plus retail sales figures from the ABS.
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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.
