Good morning. Iranian officials have denied Donald Trump’s claims that Tehran asked for a ceasefire agreement, as the conflict enters its third week.
Queensland police faces legal action over alleged racial discrimination after an officer was caught on camera describing Indians as “fucking perverts” while investigating a rideshare driver.
Plus: the Oscars are on this morning. Will Sinners take the best picture gong? Did Timothée Chalamet kill his chances by dissing ballet and opera? Our reviewer tips the winners and shoulda-wons.
Australia
Exclusive | Queensland police is being sued after it investigated a Punjabi man for a year – over charges that were eventually withdrawn – despite knowing that an arresting officer had described Indians as a “bunch of fucking perverts”.
Graves damage | The remains of Australian soldiers buried in Gaza have “very likely” been disturbed, independent senator David Pocock says, as new photos reveal damage by Israeli bulldozers.
Breathing easy | Cpap machines were once used only for severe sleep apnoea, but there has been a rise in prescribing for milder cases as it becomes a popular solution for Australians’ snoring disorders.
Global turmoil bites | Australians can expect even more cost-of-living pressures because of the war in the Middle East, with the government expecting inflation to soon rise beyond 4.5%.
Opinion | “As an Iranian Australian I feel helpless watching the war unfold and pray for peace. But it’s important that prayers be coupled with tangible action,” Dellaram Vreeland writes.
World
Middle East crisis | Iran has denied asking for a ceasefire after Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran wants to negotiate; Trump’s call for an allied deployment to the strait of Hormuz has met a muted response; initiative may be slipping away from the US and Israel as the Middle East crisis deepens, Jason Burke writes; oil company shares soar to all-time highs as the Middle East war turbocharges the price per barrel.
West Bank violence | Israeli police have killed two young Palestinian brothers and their parents in the occupied West Bank as they returned from a shopping trip.
Cross-border clashes | Pakistan has targeted militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province as the fighting that erupted last month continues.
Mind your language | Royals and celebrities are being warned by their advisers to watch what they say when they are in public amid an uptick in the use of lip-reading experts by media companies.
X marks the spot | A US treasure hunter imprisoned for 10 years after refusing to reveal the location of missing gold coins has been released, without officials apparently learning where that gold is.
Academy Awards | As the Oscars red carpet gets under way, our critic predicts the night’s triumphs and disasters. Join us from 7am for the red carpet and ceremony live blog, and study up on the best picture debate.
Full Story
Was Iran really building a nuclear weapon?
Among the justifications Donald Trump has presented for the US and Israel attacking Iran has been the supposedly imminent threat posed by its nuclear weapons program. But how close was the country really to developing an atomic weapon? Ian Sample hears from Kelsey Davenport from the Arms Control Association, who sets out why many experts don’t believe the country even had a structured nuclear weapons program.
In-depth
After the Covid-19 lockdowns, the four-day work week was floated as a solution to everything from traffic congestion to burnout. But despite the hype it still remains niche in workplaces across Australia. So, what happened to this much promised work-life-balance nirvana?
Not the news
In the latest of our Kindness of strangers series, we hear from a reader who found herself engulfed with absolute panic while travelling alone one night on a train when a man rubbed his hand on her thigh. However, the quick intervention of a complete stranger rescued her from an impossible situation.
Sport
AFL | There are grounds for optimism at North Melbourne as emerging talents give a glimpse of a rosy future, Jonathan Horn writes.
Football | Manchester United sank Aston Villa; Richarlison rescued a late point for Spurs at Liverpool to ease pressure on Igor Tudor; Chelsea’s Lauren James led the way to win the Women’s League Cup against Manchester United.
Motorsport | Kimi Antonelli won the F1 Chinese GP from pole as a horror start to the season continued for Australian driver Oscar Piastri; Lewis Hamilton marked a Ferrari revival with a Chinese GP podium place.
Cycling | Jonas Vingegaard took the Paris-Nice crown despite Lenny Martinez pipping him at the line.
Winter Paralympics | US completed an Olympic-Paralympic ice hockey sweep with another victory over Canada.
Media roundup
Australia’s self-assessment on progress towards meeting international commitments to prevent biodiversity decline has failed to mention its support of fossil fuel industries, ABC News reports. Former prime minister Paul Keating has launched a blistering attack on Labor’s plans to sell off historic military sites, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Urgent care clinic hours have been extended across Tasmania as health workers refuse to back down from industrial action, the Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Culture | This year’s Oscars awards ceremony is taking place in Los Angeles, with Australians including Jacob Elordi and Rose Byrne nominated.
Diplomacy | The King and Queen of Denmark continue their state visit to Australia.
Business | The AFR Banking Summit is being held in Sydney.
VIC | Public hearings are scheduled in Melbourne in the parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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