Morning everyone. The Albanese government has the authority and the means to end the misery of 31 Australians stuck in international limbo in a squalid refugee camp in Syria, say advocates at Save The Children. They have petitioned the federal court to have the 11 women and 20 children brought home. We also have news of a world-leading breakthrough by Australian researchers that could help the fight against the flu, and Donald Trump has been accused of going “full fascist” with a threat against the media. Plus: an exclusive investigation into violence in West Papua.
Australia
Flu breakthrough | A world-first discovery from Australian researchers unlocks the potential for the development of better vaccines and therapies against influenza viruses tailored to different age groups.
Deloitte inquiry | A partner at the leading consultancy firm Deloitte is facing “confidential proceedings” launched by the corporate watchdog after being referred to a disciplinary panel for investigation.
Syria challenge | Advocates for 31 Australian women and children held for four years in desperate conditions in a Syrian detention camp have challenged the federal government to prove it cannot bring them home, or “bring their bodies to the court” in Australia.
War crimes | Twenty-one prosecutors received specialised training on how to run war crimes cases in anticipation of referrals from the dedicated office investigating war crimes allegations, documents reveal.
Hospital ‘boys’ club’ | Female doctors who have experienced sexual assault have spoken of work conditions they felt made them more vulnerable to harm from senior colleagues, according to a researcher who has unearthed a “boys’ club culture” in Australian hospitals. A different study has suggested that domestic violence assaults rose 13.5% over the past five years in NSW.
World
Ukraine claim | Ukraine has claimed it killed Adm Viktor Sokolov (pictured), the commander of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, along with 33 other officers, in Friday’s attack on the fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol which was timed to coincide with a meeting of naval officials.
‘Full fascist’ | Donald Trump has pledged to investigate Comcast, the owner of NBC and MSNBC, “for its ‘Country Threatening Treason’” if he is re-elected president, bringing accusations that he has gone “full fascist”.
Antiviral mutation | An antiviral drug used to treat patients with Covid-19 may be causing mutations in the virus and fuelling the evolution of new variants, scientists have said.
French ecology | Emmanuel Macron has unveiled a national “ecological plan” to reduce France’s greenhouse gas emissions by 55% and end the use of fossil fuels by 2030.
Eternal conflict | Chart-topping British girl group Eternal have cancelled a planned full-band reunion due to an alleged difference in views on transgender rights, with two members refusing to play at LGBTQ+ or Pride events.
Full Story
Hoot hoot for the powerful owl
As the Australian bird of the year poll kicks off, Jane Lee goes in search of a powerful owl with nature writer Harry Saddler and Birdlife Australia’s Sean Dooley.
In-depth
In an exclusive investigation into violence in West Papua, we report today that civilians are increasingly the target of “shocking abuses” against Indigenous people by the Indonesian military including child killings, disappearances, torture and mass displacement of people. It comes at a time when Australia is seeking to strengthen ties with Indonesia, despite new reports of brutality.
Not the news
Finding the perfect pair of jeans is a quest familiar to most. Lucianne Tonti talks to four size-diverse fashion industry workers to find out what they look for in a pair of jeans – and where they’ve found the right fit. One of them, Mia Dennis (pictured left), describes the moment when she found her perfect pair, complete with adjustable hem: “I had tears in my eyes.”
The world of sport
Footy medal | Brisbane Lion Lachie Neale (pictured with his wife, Julie) will head into the AFL grand final as a two-time Brownlow Medal winner after claiming the league’s greatest individual honour for a second time. Not bad for the kid from Kybybolite who was 58th pick in the draft.
Grand final fever | Fans of Brisbane Lions and Broncos are scrambling all sorts of transport to ensure they get themselves to Melbourne and Sydney respectively for this weekend’s grand finals.
Football | Uefa has been accused of presenting “completely untrue” evidence to its own independent inquiry into the near-disaster at the 2022 Champions League final.
Media roundup
Police have nine key questions they want to ask the sole survivor of the Victoria mushroom poisoning incident, the Herald Sun says. Qantas pilots have joined calls for the airline’s chair, Richard Goyder, to quit and enable a new broom in the boardroom, the West Australian reports. The Courier Mail says rugby union risks becoming an “amateur sport” with TV coverage after the Wallabies’ shocking World Cup exit.
What’s happening today
Tasmania | Final report of the commission of inquiry into the state’s responses to institutional child sexual abuse.
Voice to parliament | No campaigner Warren Mundine speaks at the National Press Club.
Perth | Judicial review hearing for traditional owner versus Woodside and Nopsema over seismic blasting.
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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.
This article was updated on 26 September 2023 to reflect the number of Australian women and children involved in the legal action in the federal court was 31 not 33. The original figure was reported from court documents, which have now been amended.
