Morning everyone. A government body aimed at increasing food security has been shot down by nutrition experts who say the scheme will only increase the amount of processed food we eat. We have an exclusive story, plus the inside track on the 72 hours of tense talks that enabled Labor to do a deal with the Greens over nature protection and left the Coalition sidelined.
Overseas, there is growing anger in Hong Kong over the high-rise apartment fires, and a shocking report into what went wrong with the face transplant revolution.
Australia
Abortion | Joanna Howe, the prominent anti-abortion campaigner who was banned from the South Australian parliament and accused of bullying, claims her employer – the University of Adelaide – has granted her immunity from complaints from anyone who is pro-choice.
Exclusive | Cheap and unhealthy foods are set to become further entrenched in the Australian diet, according to health experts, who warn the federal government is developing a national food policy with heavy influence from profit-driven food and agriculture industries.
Walkley win | Guardian Australia has won a Walkley award for excellence in journalism for The Descendants series on Australians facing the truth of their family’s involvement in frontier violence. The ABC’s Adele Ferguson and Chris Gillett won the 2025 Gold Walkley for their reporting on childcare.
Fracking fear | A plan by fossil fuel company Santos to expand gas exploration in the Beetaloo basin has been criticised by environmentalists who fear it may mark the beginning of a fracking rush in the Northern Territory.
Loan voices | State Library of Victoria staff have accused management of undermining the 171-year-old institution’s core purposes in favour of flashy tourist-oriented “digital vanity projects” in a proposed restructure.
World
Hong Kong fires | Hong Kong police have alleged unsafe scaffolding and foam materials used during maintenance work may have been behind the rapid spread of a devastating fire at a group of residential tower blocks that has (at the time of writing) killed at least 83 people and left more than 250 missing. Watch this video report from our reporter on the ground, Helen Davidson, while our China correspondent says popular anger is growing over how the disaster was allowed to happen.
Shooter clue | The suspected shooter of two national guard members in Washington DC on Wednesday worked with CIA-backed military units during the US war in Afghanistan, the agency has confirmed.
Rooney ruling | The Irish author Sally Rooney has told the high court that she is highly unlikely to be able to publish new work within the UK while the ban on Palestine Action remains in effect because of her public support for the group.
‘Piecemeal’ world war | A new world war is being fought “piecemeal” and is endangering the future of humanity, Pope Leo has warned, as he arrived in Turkey for his first foreign trip since becoming head of the Catholic church. It came as France introduced voluntary military service because of the threat from Russia.
In the soup | Campbell’s has dismissed an executive who allegedly referred to the soup company’s products as being made for “poor people” and denigrated its Indian employees.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: unpacking Pauline Hanson’s burqa stunt
Bridie Jabour talks to the editor, Lenore Taylor, the head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and the national news editor, Josephine Tovey, about political stunts and how the media should cover them.
In-depth
All sides have had plenty to say about the deal the Albanese government has done with the Greens over the new nature laws. But what went on behind the scenes to smooth the way for an agreement? Dan Jervis-Bardy takes us inside 72 hours of “high-stakes negotiations and tense internal deliberations”.
Not the news
When Isabelle Dinoire received the world’s first face transplant it was hailed as a major breakthrough offering hope to thousands of people. But 20 years on, patients are dying, data is missing and the experimental procedure’s future hangs in the balance. Read this shocking report by Fay Bound Alberti.
Sport
AFLW | As North Melbourne and Brisbane Lions prepare to contest the AFLW final for the third year running at Ikon Park tomorrow, both clubs are wondering why other clubs aren’t investing enough to compete.
Cricket | A week of inactivity for England’s cricketers will end tomorrow after the tourists revealed that additional training sessions have been scheduled following their eight-wicket defeat to Australia in the first Ashes Test.
Formula One | Oscar Piastri says he will not give any favours to his teammate and championship leader Lando Norris, and that they will both keep chasing the Formula One crown after their McLaren team fiasco in Las Vegas.
Media roundup
Hospitals in Victoria are seeking public donations to pay for increased security after a spate of attacks on staff, the Age claims. The NSW government has backed down from its new tax on school uniform suppliers in a victory for a Daily Telegraph campaign. Planning experts have doubled down on their case to reject the new Hobart stadium despite a plea from the prime minister, the Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Environment | The Rising Tide blockade starts in Newcastle.
Canberra | Council of Federal Financial Relations meeting with the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, and the state treasurers.
Perth | Virginia Giuffre’s family at supreme court of WA over her multimillion-dollar estate.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
