Good morning. Jobseekers on a taxpayer-funded online employability course have revealed they were told to watch irrelevant and inappropriate YouTube videos and to use ChatGPT to write their cover letters. Meanwhile, researchers are warning that many international students in Australia are “at the brink” of hardship. Plus: as he leaves Q&A, Stan Grant has asked whether the media are “truly honouring a world worth living in”.
Australia
‘Carbon bomb’ | Documents reveal the NT government knew it could not meet a key recommendation to reduce the climate risk of its planned expansion of Beetaloo Basin gas production.
Exclusive | Jobseekers on a taxpayer-funded employability course have complained that much of their compulsory training involved watching irrelevant and, at times, bizarre YouTube videos.
‘I need a break’ | In an emotional departure from his role as Q+A presenter, Stan Grant said the media are too often “the poison in the bloodstream of our society”.
‘At the brink’ | New research highlights how international students in Australia are going hungry at an alarming rate, as their studies are disrupted by prohibitive living costs.
Cost-of-living crisis | With households under inflationary pressure, a new report has found food and grocery prices at Coles and Woolworths have increased by almost 10% in the past year.
World
Russia-Ukraine war | Fighting has broken out along the Russian border with Ukraine after self-described Russian partisan forces launched a cross-border raid. Meanwhile, Russian forces have tightened their grip on Bakhmut.
Record fine | Facebook owner Meta has been ordered to pay a €1.2bn (A$1.9bn) fine for breaching the EU’s privacy regulations, and to suspend the transfer of user data from the EU to the US.
‘As soon as possible’ | Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, says he will push for a new poll and will not try to form a coalition after his party fell five seats short of majority in election.
Madeleine McCann | An active search for the missing Briton is to be carried out for the first time in nearly a decade in the Barragem do Arade reservoir in Portugal, according to reports.
‘Don’t call me Karen’ | Uber has suspended its head of diversity after employees complained about workplace events she moderated exploring the experience of white American women.
Full Story
Missteps and misinformation on the voice to parliament
The no campaign has been accused of spreading misinformation, after falsely claiming the grandson of the land rights activist Vincent Lingiari is voting no to Australia’s Indigenous voice to parliament. Elsewhere, concerns have been raised that some community consultations on the voice lack Aboriginal representation. Lorena Allam shares how Aboriginal people are raising the alarm amid misinformation surrounding the voice.
In-depth
The housing industry is being hit by opposing forces, with rising interest rates designed to cool demand at the same time as a severe housing shortage stirs it. As construction firms struggle with soaring costs and supply chain disruptions, forecasters are now warning of more trouble ahead. An impending resumption of the timber export trade to China is raising questions over whether Australia has enough local supplies to meet its own needs.
Not the news
It’s been a bumper harvest this year at the Olives to Oil festival in Melbourne, with about 20 tonnes of fruit collected so far. The community initiative celebrates the cultural heritage of a city enriched by the Greek, Italian and other Mediterranean populations that migrated in the postwar period – and is a unifying event for locals now sharing a harvesting tradition.
The world of sport
Football | Newcastle take on Leicester in the Premier League; Women’s Champions League will move behind a paywall next season.
Tennis | Boris Becker reveals his fears for Emma Raducanu, watching Novak Djokovic win from prison, and why he loves Wimbledon.
Cycling | William Fotheringham reflects on the glittering career of the “Manx Missile” Mark Cavendish, who will retire at the end of the season.
Media roundup
“Forever chemicals” have wreaked devastation for thousands of residents across Australia but nowhere has it landed a crueller blow than at Wreck Bay, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. The Northern Territory’s first dedicated endometriosis and pelvic pain clinic will help thousands of women, says NT News. An alarming number of Australians are seeking homelessness services amid a social housing crisis, the Canberra Times reports.
What’s happening today
Diplomacy | India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is in Australia on an official visit.
Victoria | The state budget for 2023-24 is set to be delivered.
Canberra | The inquiry into ACT police handling of allegations against Bruce Lehrmann continues.
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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.
