Good morning. Environmentalists are accusing Bunnings of ‘greenwashing’ its timber – amid concerns over illegal logging by the NSW forestry agency.
A decision to kill a pack of dingoes linked to the death of Canadian tourist Piper James on K’gari is a “kneejerk reaction” that could push the island’s dingo population towards extinction, an expert warns.
As temperatures soar across Australia this week, a new study predicts that the number of people living in extreme heat around the world could double by 2050. And: we launch a new poll to find Australia’s greatest children’s picture book of all time.
Australia
‘Nothing’s been done’ | Services Australia knew its internal practices relating to the payment of child support conflicted with the law but did nothing about it for six years, an ombudsman’s report has found.
Bunnings claims | One of Australia’s biggest environment groups has accused Bunnings of “greenwashing” its timber, claiming it may have sold products illegally logged by the NSW forestry agency.
‘Dumb management’ | A decision to kill a pack of dingoes linked with the death of Canadian tourist Piper James could create an “extinction vortex” for the K’gari dingo population, one expert says.
Invasion Day marches | Police in Perth are investigating a “device” thrown into the crowd at the city’s Invasion Day rally, sparking a security scare that ended the protest. A man has been arrested.
Page turners | Voting is now open in the Guardian’s poll to find Australia’s best children’s picture book of all time. From Edward the Emu to Who Sank the Boat?, readers can choose from our shortlist of favourites. Plus: a great picture book could change your child’s life, Sally Rippen writes.
World
ICE shootings | Donald Trump’s ICE crackdown faces a reckoning as outrage mounts over the death of Alex Pretti. A Republican has pulled out of the race for Minnesota governor, citing the “unconstitutional” ICE surge, as federal agents use teargas against protesters outside what was reportedly ICE agents’ Minneapolis hotel.
Russia-Ukraine war | Lured to Russia by false job adverts, hundreds of African men have been unknowingly enlisted on arrival and sent to Ukraine. Ukrainians are freezing to death as the cold is used by Russia as a weapon of war, Janine di Giovanni writes.
Gaza crisis | The remains of the last Israeli held in Gaza after the 7 October attacks have been returned, marking the completion of a key initial demand of the ceasefire plan for Gaza.
Shipwreck deaths | Hundreds of people may have drowned attempting to cross the Mediterranean last week as Cyclone Harry battered southern Italy and Malta, the Italian coastguard has said.
Bitter cold | A powerful winter storm bringing heavy snow and dangerous cold across much of the US has been linked to at least 15 deaths. In Canada, Toronto had the largest snowfall in its history.
Full Story
A civil liberties expert on what Labor’s hate speech laws get so wrong
Crafted in the wake of the Bondi terror attack, Labor’s hate speech laws are designed to give the government new powers to combat racial hatred, but have faced strong criticism from across the political spectrum. NSW Council for Civil Liberties president Timothy Roberts speaks with Reged Ahmad about whether the new laws go too far – and may risk undermining democracy in Australia.
In-depth
Housing advocates say many Australian renters live in “glorified tents” that are too hot in summer and too cold in winter. It has prompted a push in some states for legislation guaranteeing minimum standards so that rental homes would have to meet basic liveability criteria. It comes as a study predicts the number of people living with extreme heat will more than double by 2050 if global heating reaches 2C – and “no part of the world” will be immune.
Not the news
Something is happening sartorially at the Australian Open. In addition to the on-and-off-court partnerships with some of the world’s most recognisable fashion brands – Rolex, Louis Vuitton and Polo Ralph Lauren – Melbourne Park visitors are dressing up more. Lucianne Tonti writes that if the races is a nightclub, then the tennis is a long lunch for chic spectators in silk dresses, sneakers and tailored shorts.
Sport
Tennis | Simon Chambers considers how Alex de Minaur can beat Carlos Alcaraz in their Australian Open quarter-final; Casper Ruud makes a timely exit from the Australian Open as Ben Shelton storms into the last eight; Maddison Inglis will splash out on new toaster after Iga Świątek ended her Melbourne run.
Football | Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter suggests fans should not travel to the United States for the World Cup this year; Martin Ødegaard admits Arsenal’s Premier League title tilt is being fuelled by the pain of three runner-up finishes.
Cricket | Bangladesh’s boycott brings a sad reality to the T20 World Cup countdown, Taha Hashim writes; a Don Bradman baggy green has sold at auction for $460,000.
Motorsport | Aston Martin become the second F1 team after Williams to miss out on vital testing in Barcelona.
Media roundup
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission believes there could be a case for banning some advertising of risky financial products, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The rapid spread of conspiracy theories after Victoria’s bushfires have sparked warnings that misinformation will become more frequent as natural disasters increase in Australia due to climate change, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
Sport | Action continues on the court in Melbourne as the Australian Open heats up amid soaring temperatures.
NSW | The inquest into the death of a teen pilot who crashed his plane in his first solo flight continues in Lidcombe.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
