Morning everyone. Aged care workers have blown the whistle on the technology that determines support packages for elderly people, with workers describing it as “cruel”.
Plus Muslim leaders are warning about security risks ahead of Ramadan, and we examine whether Tony Abbott could return to frontline politics.
Overseas, American politicians have paid tribute to trailblazing civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson who has died aged 84, and Australia has been eliminated from the T20 World Cup.
Australia
Abbott return? | The Liberal party is gripped by speculation that Tony Abbott is positioning himself to become the new federal president, while some even hope the he could return to parliament. Dan Jervis-Bardy writes that the former PM’s influence will only grow after Angus Taylor’s leadership takeover.
‘Cruel’ care assessment | Aged care clinicians and carers say an algorithm-based assessment tool that determines federal home support funding packages is “cruel” and “inhumane”, stripping away clinical expertise and leaving elderly people with inadequate support.
Mosque alarm | One of Australia’s biggest mosques is facing what one Muslim leader is calling the most “alarming situation” since the Cronulla race riots, ahead of Ramadan celebrations beginning on Wednesday.
Exclusive | The role of “far-right manosphere influencers” in fuelling homophobic attacks in Victoria where victims were lured through fake dating app profiles before being assaulted is expected to be investigated by a state parliamentary inquiry.
Kidnap ‘nightmare’ | The family of Chris Baghsarian, who was kidnapped apparently by mistake from his Sydney home last week, say they are “living through a nightmare” and the 85-year-old’s abduction “feels surreal”.
World
‘Great patriot’ | Rev Jesse Jackson, the civil rights campaigner who was prominent for more than 50 years and who ran strongly for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, has died aged 84. He has been hailed as a “great patriot” who changed America. Read his obituary here.
Epstein trail | Hillary Clinton has accused the Trump administration of a cover-up of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and claimed that she and her husband were being forced to testify before Congress to deflect scrutiny from Donald Trump. Prominent American figures linked to Epstein in the files include Hyatt hotel boss Thomas Pritzker, who has stood down, Ohio retail billionaire Les Wexner and the LA Olympics chief, Casey Wasserman. Follow it all live.
‘Constructive’ talks | Iran says the latest round of indirect talks with the US were “more constructive” and agreement had been reached on “general guiding principles” that could lead to a further meeting on its nuclear program.
Reformed Farage? | Nigel Farage has unveiled the first part of Reform UK’s frontbench team, while warning that he will not tolerate any dissent from his colleagues.
LaBeouf arrested | Actor Shia LaBeouf has been arrested for alleged battery in New Orleans after apparently spending the long weekend partying across the city during Mardi Gras.
Full Story
Graham Readfearn steps into our climate future
Extreme heat is already the most common cause of weather-related hospitalisations in Australia and with heatwaves intensifying, Guardian Australia’s climate and environment correspondent Graham Readfearn put his body to the test in an experiment. In a climate chamber at the University of Sydney, he walked on a treadmill while temperature conditions were constantly adjusted, adding direct sunlight and higher humidity. He joins Nour Haydar to talk about how extreme heat affects us, our cognitive functions and our chances of survival
In-depth
Lime wants its distinctive green ebikes to expand into every major Australian city despite concerns about regulations and safety. Luca Ittimani ventured on to the streets of Sydney with a bike mechanic to check whether they’re up to scratch.
Not the news
You can never accuse Nicholas Jordan of shirking the controversial taste test. This week he slays the holiest of cows with an exhaustive assessment of yeast-based spreads – which does not place Vegemite at No 1.
Sport
Cricket | Australia have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was rained out.
Winter Olympics | Lara Hamilton has battled financial hardship to make it to Italy to represent Australia in the new sport of ski-mountaineering, or skimo. She tells Jo Khan about having Nordic skiing in her blood. Elsewhere, check out who’s been in the medals today at our live blog, and why a Swiss broadcaster pulled commentary of a bobsleigh run in which one reporter questioned at length the presence of an Israeli athlete.
Football | The Champions League playoffs are taking place in Europe this morning with the first leg picks being Benfica against Real Madrid. Follow it live.
Media roundup
The Sydney Morning Herald names the high schools most popular with parents based on an analysis of enrolments. There are fears Melbourne’s suburban rail loop could be delayed because of tunnelling problems, the Herald Sun claims. There is a fond farewell in NT News for Ted Egan, the songwriter who “gave NT its voice”.
What’s happening today
Sydney | NSW public hearing on measures to combat rightwing extremism.
Canberra | The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, addresses the National Press Club.
Adelaide | Vision for South Australia outlined in an address by the premier, Peter Malinauskas, ahead of the 21 March election.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
