Morning everyone. Muslims across Australia are preparing to observe Ramadan from next Sunday but community leaders have backed out of the traditional state premiers’ dinners in protest against government responses to the Israel-Gaza war. We have the full story, plus how a businessman was released from detention, the top UN official who thinks Israel is guilty of “war crimes”, and why the Kellogg’s boss’ response to the cost of living crisis is: “Let them eat flakes.”
Australia
‘Hurt and anger’ | The LGBTQ+ community has welcomed the decision by Sydney Mardi Gras organisers to ask police not to march in Saturday’s parade. They say anger towards policing was growing long before police officer Beau Lamarre was charged with murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose bodies were found yesterday. The Australian federal police have decided not to march in the parade either.
Exclusive | Two peak Muslim bodies have rejected invitations to iftar dinners hosted by the premiers of New South Wales and Victoria in protest against what the community sees as a lack of support and solidarity with the plight of Palestinians in Gaza since the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October.
Visa decision | The immigration minister, Andrew Giles, released a businessman on a visa that did not include an ankle bracelet and curfew conditions, despite him being likely affected by the high court decision on indefinite detention.
Palmer challenge | Billionaire Clive Palmer claims to have set a worldwide precedent after funding a successful challenge against Queensland’s Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
Minding the gap | The Kimberly-Clark toilet paper mill in South Australia is an example of how a company can change the nature of its workforce and culture in response to gender pay gap concerns.
World
Middle East conflict | Israel is intentionally starving Palestinians and should be held accountable for war crimes and genocide for depriving the population in Gaza of aid supplies, according to the UN’s leading expert on the right to food. Hamas and Israel have poured cold water on Joe Biden’s comments about an imminent ceasefire deal.
Age concern | A House Republican introduced a congressional resolution calling for Kamala Harris to invoke the 25th amendment to the US constitution and remove Joe Biden because he is too old.
Military manoeuvres | Sweden’s prime minister has ruled out sending troops to Ukraine – in contrast to Emmanuel Macron’s positioning of France – as he prepares for his historically neutral country to imminently join Nato. Britain’s military chief says Ukraine will be on the “back foot” in the war for months.
‘Foetal personhood’ | Florida lawmakers have postponed a bill that would give foetuses civil rights after a similar ruling in Alabama halted in vitro fertilisation treatment at several clinics in the state.
Let them eat flakes | The multimillionaire boss of Kellogg’s has drawn scorn from some quarters after suggesting that families with strained finances could cope by eating “cereal for dinner”.
Full Story
Will shaming employers close the gender pay gap?
After yesterday’s gender pay gap data, Kate Lyons talks about which companies have the most work to do and whether public accountability will drive change.
In-depth
Intifar Chowdhury, a youth researcher and a lecturer in government at Flinders University, has crunched the numbers from the past five federal elections and finds that younger voters especially are less likely to vote according to party allegiance. Policies are now the No 1 driver at 56.3% compared with 22.4% for party loyalty. And this will have big consequences for the major parties.
Not the news
We’ve had the Golden Globes, the Baftas and the Critics Choice. But the big one – the Oscars – is yet to come. We sort through the nominees for the best picture Oscar, assessing each one’s chances and how you can track down any gaps in your knowledge. Plus, check out reports that Ryan Gosling will sing I’m Just Ken at the ceremony a week on Monday.
The world of sport
AFL | A documentary about Collingwood, Take The Steps, is released today charting the club’s remarkable journey to the flag last season, which began with the entire squad being made to run to the top of the steps at the MCG.
Premier League | A number of Manchester United players complained to coaching staff that they wanted a day off after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Fulham despite the squad usually going in after a match for warm-downs and video analysis.
Football | Sweden midfielder Kristoffer Olsson is on a ventilator in hospital after collapsing at home due to a brain condition, his club Midtjylland have announced.
Media roundup
The gender pay gap at some companies has been caused by female executives stepping back from full-time roles to devote more time to their families, bosses tell the Fin Review. Two-thirds of Australians will have a melanoma at some point but many can’t afford to have them checked, the Canberra Times claims. A tiny lizard thought to be extinct has been found in Melbourne’s west, the Age reports, delaying the development of 310,000 homes.
What’s happening today
Economy | January inflation data will be released today.
Canberra | Ukrainian ambassador addresses the National Press Club.
Sport | Matildas v Uzbekistan in Melbourne (Olympics qualifier).
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
• The headline and text of this article were amended on 28 February 2024 to remove the suggestion that the businessman in the visa case decision was a Saudi citizen.
