Morning everyone. It sounds like an Indiana Jones film with ne’er-do-wells digging for treasure, artefacts smuggled through the jungle and someone trying to right the wrongs. But this is the real story of how Australia came to have a trio of priceless bronzes from Cambodia’s ancient Cham culture and decided to hand them back in an “example to the world”. We’re also reporting on a slightly absurd twist in the murky relationship between government and the consulting industry, plus on-the-spot analysis of Ukraine’s counteroffensive and the latest incredible Women’s World Cup drama.
Australia
‘None of this is secret’ | Uluru statement from the heart architect Prof Megan Davis (pictured) has sought to counter Coalition attempts to link the voice referendum to treaties by saying information about the issues has been “in plain sight” since 2017.
‘It’s a miracle’ | After an extensive investigation, the National Gallery of Australia has agreed to hand back one of the highlights of its Asian collection to the Cambodian government, a trio of ninth-century Cham sculptures. The gallery thinks they were probably looted and illegally sold by a notorious UK dealer, Douglas Latchford.
Exclusive | The federal finance department is paying an external consultant $32,000 to advise on how it should engage other external consultants who also provide advice to government, in a scenario likened to an episode of Utopia.
Climate warning | Australia must prepare for “devastating” climate-fuelled disruption in the Asia-Pacific, including failed states, forced migration and regional conflicts over water shortages, a stark briefing for federal politicians warns.
‘$39bn tax break’ | The value of tax breaks given to property investors is 78 times the promised minimum spend on social housing under the Albanese government’s flagship fund, according to data from the Greens.
World
Amazon hope | Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon fell by at least 60% in July compared with the same month last year, the environment minister says, as it battles to reverse the potentially calamitous policies of Bolsonaro era.
Trump in court | Donald Trump is due to appear in court in Washington DC tonight after federal prosecutors indicted the ex-president for attempting to overturn the 2020 election. Democrats and progressives welcomed the four conspiracy and obstruction charges but many Republicans rallied behind him.
China purge | The generals overseeing China’s nuclear missiles have been purged under suspicion of a corruption inquiry as Xi Jinping continues to tighten his grip on the armed forces.
X-rated losses | Elon Musk’s rebranded Twitter has accused an anti-hate speech group of costing the social media app “tens of millions of dollars” in revenues after advertisers paused spending on the platform, according to a lawsuit.
Trudeau split | Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, are separating, the couple announced on Instagram, after 18 years of marriage.
Full Story
David Pocock’s stand on climate for future generations – Full Story podcast
Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to 19-year-old Anjali Sharma about taking a stand with David Pocock (pictured) on climate change, and why politicians need to consider the health and wellbeing of future generations.
In-depth
The first casualty of Ukraine’s long-awaited offensive was wishful thinking, writes our world affairs editor Julian Borger as he returns from the frontline to give a detailed analysis of what exactly is happening. Minefields have slowed progress more than expected, he says, and western-trained units have been slow to adapt to Nato tactics. But experts say it’s too early to judge yet – look at delays after the D-day landings, they say – and it’s still possible “relentless pressure triggers an implosion in the Russian ranks”.
Not the news
A quick look through LinkedIn reveals much about the way people want the world to see them, listing virtues such as authenticity, empathy and even self-care. Lucinda Holdforth thinks these projections tell us a lot about a 21st-century sensibility in which leaders are more concerned about how they are seen than what they do and how that’s bad for democracy.
The world of sport
Women’s World Cup | The final group round produced two more shocks last night as South Africa (pictured) scored a late winner to eliminate Italy, while Jamaica held firm to secure a last 16 berth at the expense of their opponents Brazil.
Netball World Cup | It’s crunch time as Australia take on England and Jamaica play New Zealand in final group games later today that will decide how they will match up in Saturday’s semi-finals.
Football | The former Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has retired at the age of 45, after 28 years in which he lifted the World Cup and won 10 league titles with Juventus.
Media roundup
The Victorian government has denied breaking any promises by scrapping a plan to build two new rail lines in Melbourne’s outer-west, the Age reports. Labor minister Tim Crakanthorp for failing to declare family property holdings is a blow for NSW premier Chris Minns, the Sydney Morning Herald argues. Cairns’ mayor will lobby in Canberra for a Papua New Guinea NRL team to be based in the city, the Cairns Post reports.
What’s happening today
Coronavirus | Hearing over whether overseas passengers on the Covid-hit Ruby Princess cruise can claim class action damages in Australia.
Sydney | Sentence hearing for five people found guilty for their role in Plutus Payroll conspiracy.
Melbourne | Darren Dickson challenges Yarra Ranges council in the supreme court over closing its public gallery after intimidating and abusive behaviour.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here. And finish your day with a three-minute snapshot of the day’s main news. Sign up for our Afternoon Update newsletter here.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Get notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
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.
