Good morning. After thousands of reports of abuse in Australian childcare centres, parents and experts say the system needs urgent reform to bridge the gap between allegation and action.
As images of emaciated children in Gaza haunt the world, we reveal that Labor leaders will face intense pressure from party members at its Victoria conference to “immediately” recognise a Palestinian state.
And there’s been a statement of intent from Oscar Piastri after he prevailed to win a rain-interrupted Belgian F1 Grand Prix.
Australia
Exclusive | Labor party members will push for an “immediate” federal recognition of a Palestinian state, in a series of resolutions due to be tabled at the Victorian state conference this weekend.
Childcare abuse | New data suggests that shortcomings in the childcare system mean most complaints about sexual misconduct by childcare workers are ultimately dismissed – and alleged perpetrators keep working.
Uni fees criticism | As the cost of humanities degrees balloons to more than $50,000, author Tim Winton is among 100 high-profile Australians calling for fees that don’t “punish” arts students.
Left at the station | NSW has just recorded its worst year for on-time running for Sydney trains – and since July, one in three intercity trains have failed to meet punctuality benchmarks.
‘We want women to have role models’ | A recruitment campaign with roles reserved solely for women has been launched at the University of Sydney faculty where fewer than one in five academics are female.
World
Gaza crisis | Malnutrition in Gaza on a “dangerous trajectory”, says the WHO, as airdrops of aid resume; Palestinians are wary as Israel begins “military pauses” after Benjamin Netanyahu says “minimal” aid will be let into Gaza.
Thailand-Cambodia dispute | Both sides have launched fresh attacks in their deadly border dispute, but leaders will meet in Malaysia for talks to end hostilities after pressure from the US.
Trump tariffs | Donald Trump has announced a tariff deal with the EU to end four months of difficult negotiations between Washington and Brussels and the prospect of a damaging transatlantic trade war.
Jeffrey Epstein files | The US House speaker, Mike Johnson, says he would have “great pause” about granting a pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell; will Maxwell’s testimony be believed?, asks Victoria Bekiempis.
Wildfire threat | Thousands of people in Greece and Turkey have been forced to evacuate homes as firefighters in the countries battled to contain wildfires fanned by strong winds and searing heat.
Full Story
Is Trump building a political dynasty?
The US has had its fair share of political dynasties – the Bushes, the Clintons, the Kennedys. But has Donald Trump been quietly moulding his own family to become a political force long after he leaves office? In this first episode of a special series, Gwenda Blair, Rosie Gray and Ashley Parker introduce us to the family members who helped Trump reach the White House – and ask who could end up his successor.
In-depth
Images of emaciated, skeletal children in Gaza landed on news outlets’ front pages last week. It seemed to shake some world leaders and ordinary citizens out of a stupor. Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong have condemned the killing of Palestinian civilians – but say Australia is not a major player in the Middle East. Now, as Josh Butler outlines, there are calls for the government to do more amid growing outrage within Labor ranks.
Not the news
The Ukrainian-Australian concert pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk will make his debut appearance with the Australian Chamber Orchestra this week, playing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No 1 and George Gershwin’s joyful Rhapsody in Blue in “a masterstroke in programming”. The piano virtuoso speaks to Kelly Burke about childhood in post-Soviet Ukraine, getting too attracted to Sydney, and why music should not be a competition – but a uniting force.
Sport
Motorsport | Australia’s Oscar Piastri eased away from McLaren teammate Lando Norris to win a rain-hit Belgian F1 Grand Prix in Spa.
AFL | The Gold Coast Suns finally look like they belong with the AFL’s big boys, Jonathan Horn writes.
Football | England beat Spain on penalties in the final of the Women’s Euro 2025, defending their title in dramatic fashion.
Cycling | Tadej Pogačar reigns again in Paris after winning the Tour de France for fourth time; Mavi García takes stage two of the Tour de France Femmes.
Rugby union | Andy Farrell’s Lions stand on the verge of all-time greatness as they eye an Australia clean sweep, Robert Kitson writes.
Cricket | Cameron Green and Josh Inglis continued their hot T20 form as Australia beat the West Indies again.
Media roundup
Councils that run some of the most popular beaches in the country have been asked by the NSW government to join a trial to remove shark nets, ABC News reports. NSW has lost more than 45,000 jobs in the past two months, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, with some Sydney regions being hit disproportionately hard. Victoria’s new police chief could be on a collision course with the police union after ruling out pushing for protest permits, the Age reports. Some South Australian businesses are “on their knees” amid the toxic algal bloom, the Advertiser reports.
What’s happening today
NSW | The United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell is scheduled to speak in Sydney today.
Sport | Hopes are high for Australian swimmers at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
