Good morning. Big supermarkets have been increasing their margins on food through the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, analysis by Guardian Australia shows – leading to accusations of inflationary profiteering. Critics say the figures should prompt the establishment of an inquiry “with teeth” to improve transparency.
Meanwhile, Ukraine rejects Russia’s claims to have seized control of Bakhmut.
Australia
AI news | The journalistic credo of Watergate – find the best obtainable version of the truth – is still relevant but doing so is only becoming more complicated, writes Lenore Taylor, the editor of Guardian Australia.
Supermarkets | Coles and Woolworths have defended the increased profit margins, but data shows shoppers are being charged more than enough to cover supermarkets’ additional costs and other rising expenses.
Economy | The Albanese government is celebrating what it calls the “strongest start for jobs growth for any new Australian government in history” as it enters its second year in power.
E-cigarettes | Australia wants to be the first to turn youth vaping rates around – but will the government’s plan work?
Inequality | More than 350,000 zero-interest loans have been given to Australians on low income since 2003 – and analysts say the alternative to predatory lenders and buy now, pay later schemes has changed lives.
World
Russia-Ukraine war | Ukraine has rejected Russian claims to have captured Bakhmut, insisting its forces still have a foothold in the Donbas city and are steadily encircling the Russian mercenaries holding the ruined town centre.
Journalist poisoning | Berlin police opened an investigation into the suspected poisoning of two Russian journalists visiting the city for a conference last month organised by the Russian Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Football crush | At least 12 people died with more than 100 injured in a crowd crush at a football stadium in El Salvador, the Central American country’s government confirmed.
Stylist extraordinaire | The worlds of literature and politics have paid tribute to writer Martin Amis, who has died aged 73.
Road rage | “He was like, “Oh shit, dude. He’s back. The bear’s back,’” recounts Kevin Milner, a Canadian cyclist who was biking with a friend north of Vancouver when he hit a hit a black bear (who is fine).
Full Story
PwC scandal: should we trust private companies with government secrets?
Consultants at PricewaterhouseCoopers used government secrets to help clients in Australia and the US avoid tax – a scandal that has forced resignations and threatens contracts worth hundreds of millions. Reporter Henry Belot explains a series of secretive emails marked “for your eyes only” that exposed the scandal, and the federal government’s reliance on consulting firms that some call a “shadow public service”.
In-depth
In our latest look back at Guardian Australia’s defining stories across 10 years of coverage, Behrouz Boochani and Ben Doherty speak about their powerful friendship that helped expose the cruelty of Australia’s island jail, and the risks Boochani took to get his story from Manus Island to the world.
“Ben treated me as a journalist … a person who told the truth,” Boochani says. “That was very important for me.”
Not the news
As support for the four-day working week grows, Celina Ribeiro wrestles with our culture of achievement and busyness, and the feelings of guilt and accountability that – even on her prized weekday off – prompt her to ask herself: what do I do now?
“As that fifth day opens up, one starts to feel the weight of its infinite potential and the questions start to pile up,” Ribeiro writes. “What will you achieve on that fifth day? Or can I just … rest?”
The world of sport
AFL | Essendon’s total control trumped Richmond’s beautiful chaos in an AFL Dreamtime match of sweet pandemonium.
NRL | It was a weekend of surprises as Wests Tigers stunned North Queensland, the Eels thumped the Rabbitohs, and Manly monstered Canberra.
Premier League | Manchester City are Premier League champions after Arsenal lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. Here’s how their dramatic nine-month title race with Arsenal unfolded.
Tributes | We farewell the American footballer and activist Jim Brown and the Australian Olympian and class-act cricketer Brian Booth.
Media roundup
The Australian reports that the building and mining industries will wage war against the Albanese government if it captures self-employed tradies, truckies and engineers in its second wave of industrial relations reforms. The number of cancer cases in Victoria could double in the next 15 years without urgent action, because residents are still lagging in their health checks since the pandemic, according to the Herald Sun. And the Sydney Morning Herald reports on the Opera House’s review of the lighting of its sails.
What’s happening today
Modi visits | The Indian prime minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Australia after the four Quad leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 to discuss the rising threat of China.
Mark Latham | The NSW State Debt Recovery Office is taking One Nation upper house leader to court over an unpaid fine for apparently using his phone while driving.
In parliament | Budget estimates hearings kick off in Canberra, with climate change, energy, finance and legal affairs first up.
Police conduct | Public hearings continue in an independent inquiry probing misconduct in the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins.
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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.
