Morning everyone. The crisis around Queensland’s youth justice system continues to build with our exclusive report today about scandalous conditions at the Cleveland detention centre in Townsville. Our investigation reveals claims that solitary confinement is routinely used on young people with the risk of adding to existing trauma and recidivism. We also report on the Kathleen Folbigg miscarriage of justice, and we have the latest on what could be the beginning of the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive. Plus: Apple has entered the VR game with a very expensive new product.
Australia
Rate roulette | After 11 hikes in the cash rate since last May, forecasters are split over whether the Reserve Bank will raise borrowing costs again today. Some say the cash rate could go up to 4.1%.
Exclusive | Whistleblowers, judges and youth workers say children are leaving Cleveland youth detention centre in Queensland scarred, angry and more likely to commit further crime, with some having spent weeks in “Guantánamo-style” solitary confinement, the Guardian has heard.
‘Motives to lie’ | In the stunning full legal judgment in his defamation trial, Ben Roberts-Smith has been found to have lied about murdering civilians in Afghanistan, deliberately hid potentially damaging evidence from a court, colluded with witnesses who supported him and threatened those who might give evidence against him.
Deaths in custody | Indigenous deaths in custody are at their highest in the 15 years that records have been kept while public perceptions of the honesty and fairness of police officers has reached a 10-year low, according to new data from the federal Productivity Commission.
Scathing audit | The federal health department “fell short of ethical requirements” in administering a Morrison government $2bn program, an official report has found.
World
Ukraine escalation | Ukrainian forces have launched attacks on multiple points along the frontline in the Donetsk region in what appeared to be the preliminary stages of Ukraine’s long-anticipated counteroffensive. Earlier, Russia claimed it had repelled a large attack in Donetsk, while, in a strange twist, Wagner mercenaries claimed to have captured a Russian commander who attacked them.
Pence to run | Mike Pence, who as Donald Trump’s vice-president narrowly escaped harm at the hands of the January 6 rioters, has declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination next year, pitting him against his former boss.
Mirror hack | The phone of Diana, Princess of Wales was allegedly hacked by the Daily Mirror during the time Piers Morgan was editor in an attempt to obtain details about her secret meetings with the comedian Michael Barrymore, the high court in London heard.
Virtual world | Apple has revealed its long-awaited VR headset, the Vision Pro, which will retail in the US at a hefty $US3,499. It promises to “blend digital content into the space around us”.
‘Harmful to health’ | Italy’s top court has ordered Brescia city council to pay €50,000 in compensation to a couple for failing to safeguard them against noise from nightlife, ruling it was harmful to their health.
Full Story
The AFL racism investigation that led nowhere
Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to our AFL columnist Jonathan Horn and Prof John Evans about how both sides felt let down by the Hawthorn racism investigation process and what the AFL needs to do next.
In-depth
“It is impossible to comprehend the injury that has been inflicted upon Kathleen Folbigg,” says her lawyer, Rhanee Rego, in a comment that captures the enormity of the miscarriage of justice visited upon a woman who has spent 20 years in jail for killing her four children – crimes the courts have now cleared her of committing. We look back on the 24-year legal drama that led to yesterday’s pardon, and the new evidence behind the decision.
Not the news
The death of their dog hit Myke Bartlett and his family so hard that when they got a new puppy, his wife couldn’t look at it without crying. But despite the emotional strain of starting over with Artemis (pictured), Bartlett writes that rediscovering the routine of going to the dog park every day meant rediscovering the best hour of the day and finding the community’s real town square.
The world of sport
Football | Ange Postecoglou is expected to be named soon as the next manager of Tottenham Hotspur after the two parties reached a verbal agreement for the former Socceroos coach to switch from Celtic.
Ashes | Steve Smith has said the injury-enforced absence of England’s Jack Leach from the Ashes will leave “some big shoes for them to fill” 11 days before the series starts at Edgbaston.
NBA | Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has hailed his team’s resilience after they levelled the NBA finals 1-1 after late surge against Denver Nuggets.
Media roundup
The Australian Financial Review reports that the total value of the ASX stock index is falling for the first time in 18 years because of a spate of takeovers and a dearth of floats. Kathleen Folbigg was looking forward to “a steak and a bath” following her release from prison after being cleared of murdering her four children, the Sydney Morning Herald says. Enrolment restrictions have been placed on Victoria’s 100 most popular state schools to prevent “school shopping” by parents, the Age reports. The number of people seeking treatment in Geelong after using the drug GBH has increased, doctors say, as three people were found unconscious in the streets last week, the Advertiser says.
What’s happening today
Coffs Harbour | Kathleen Folbigg’s lawyer and friend will hold a media conference on her pardon at 8am.
Economics | RBA announcement on the cash rate at 2.30pm, and before that at 12.15pm Anthony Albanese will appear on Sky News to discuss the economy.
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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.
