Good morning. Today we report from the Northern Territory where one of Australia’s oldest independent Indigenous schools is dealing with a crisis, after a former principal was convicted of assaulting students.
Plus, we reveal Australians are buying “iron supplements” that contain barely any iron.
Australia have taken a dominant 2-0 Ashes series lead at the Gabba. And, it’s a case of what might have been for Oscar Piastri as his rival – and McLaren team mate – Lando Norris won the F1 world title in Abu Dhabi.
Australia
Supplements concern | There are calls for stronger regulations as experts warn that Australians are buying “iron supplements” containing little more iron than a slice of bread.
‘Serious issues’ | Yipirinya school in NT, one of Australia’s oldest independent Indigenous schools, could “collapse” after its former principal was found guilty of physically assaulting four students.
Social media ban | As the under-16s social media ban looms, Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch and Kick have all said they will comply. But how did we get here? And: Social media has been a lifeline for disabled children. So, Ezra Sholl asks, why are they being kicked off?
‘Climate obstruction’ | Queensland Museum is accused of misleading visitors about the root cause of the climate crisis via an education partnership with one of the world’s biggest oil and gas companies.
A robot walks into a bar | A research project is looking at whether robots using AI could ever be genuinely funny – with University of Melbourne researchers training robots in standup comedy.
World
Russia-Ukraine war | Donald Trump may walk away from supporting Ukraine, the US president’s oldest son – Donald Trump Jr – has said at a Middle East conference; the Kremlin has hailed Trump’s national security strategy as being aligned with Russia’s vision.
Gaza crisis | Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says the first phase of the UN-endorsed Gaza ceasefire plan is close to completion – and the second phase must involve the disarmament of Hamas; disarming Hamas should not be the first task of the Gaza stabilisation force, Turkey says.
Biosecurity fears | Spanish authorities investigating the African swine fever outbreak in Catalonia are looking into the possibility that the disease may have leaked from a research facility.
Louvre leak | A water leak has damaged several hundred works in the Louvre’s Egyptian department – just weeks after a brazen jewel theft sparked concerns over the Paris museum’s infrastructure.
Art of the mundane | The “brilliantly human” British photographer Martin Parr has died aged 73. We look back at his career and influence, and some of his best works.
Full Story
Where is four-year-old Gus Lamont?
Gus Lamont went missing in the Australian outback on 27 September. Despite one of the largest and most intensive searches for a missing person in South Australia, no trace has been found of the four-year-old. Tory Shepherd speaks with Reged Ahmad about how the child has seemingly vanished – and left only questions about what could have happened.
In-depth
In the latest of our The cost of care series, we take a look at how specialist doctor fees and out-of-pocket costs are forcing Australians into “impossible choices” when they can’t afford to pay. As Nastasha May discovers, the affordability pressures facing many people needing specialist care have led to advocates calling for urgent reforms and stronger protections for patients caught in a system “without effective guardrails”.
Not the news
In the latest of our Kindness of strangers series, we hear from a reader who found themselves caught short without a place to stay when they arrived in Canberra for a medical school interview – only to find affordable accommodation fully booked. Looking lost, they were approached by a student who then said without hesitation that they could sleep at their dormitory – an act of generosity that has not been forgotten.
Sport
Motorsport | McLaren’s Lando Norris has won the F1 world title despite Max Verstappen’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win for Red Bull, while Australian Oscar Piastri finished third overall in this year’s drivers’ standings.
Cricket | Michael Neser took the key wickets at the Gabba before Australia sprinted to a 2-0 Ashes series lead over England; Neser can revel in a sweet day of Ashes glory, Geoff Lemon writes.
Football | Self-indulgent Mo Salah has hastened an inevitable Liverpool exit, Andy Hunter writes; Georginio Rutter rescued a late point for Brighton against West Ham; Crystal Palace are up to fourth after Marc Guéhi’s late header stunned Fulham.
Media roundup
Australian scientists have been testing super enzymes that break down plastics and could revolutionise how we think about waste, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Hundreds of vulnerable people with disabilities in Victoria face an uncertain future amid group home closure fears as funding runs dry, ABC News reports. Australia’s airports are struggling with increased international arrivals amid concerns about how they’ll cope during the 2032 Olympics, the Age reports. Scientists have found a new marine species hiding in plain sight along Tasmania’s ancient coastline, the Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Victoria | Parliamentary hearings begin for an inquiry into Victoria’s early childhood education and care sector.
NSW | City of Sydney will consider changes to outdoor dining rules.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
