Good morning. The government has got the ball rolling on the creation of a universal childcare system – a policy that could be central to Anthony Albanese’s political legacy.
Elsewhere, Benjamin Netanyahu has defended Israel’s plans to occupy Gaza City, despite warnings from an emergency session of the UN security council about a further humanitarian calamity.
In other international news, Ukraine’s allies have called for Kyiv to have a seat at the table as Trump and Putin prepare for talks. Closer to home, experts are convinced the RBA will cut interest rates this week as Australians continue to endure cost-of-living pressures.
Australia
Rates expectation | Economists and financial markets are (again) convinced the RBA board is about to drop the official cash rate from 3.85% to 3.6%, after the central bank held rates steady last month.
Exclusive | Labor has commissioned consultancy giant Deloitte to help design a universal childcare system in Australia, as Anthony Albanese chases a political legacy to rival Medicare.
Explainer | Before the Australian election, both main parties wanted to cut international student numbers. So why has the government announced that it will increase places by 25,000 next year?
Israel sales | The acting PM, Richard Marles, was adamant on Sunday that Australia is not selling weapons to Israel despite exports of F-35 fighter jet parts – but critics say parts of weapons are still weapons.
‘Hard to watch’ | Officials have released startling footage of “heart-in-mouth” near misses in traffic in NSW and urged people to be more careful near the light rail network during Rail Safety week.
World
Gaza crisis | Benjamin Netanyahu has defended his Gaza City takeover plan as the “speediest way” to end the war with Hamas but the UN warns of “calamity”; UN experts say Gaza faces “starvation, pure and simple” as child deaths mount.
Russia-Ukraine war | Europe’s leaders are increasing pressure on Donald Trump to involve Ukraine in talks with Putin; and confusion over the Alaska summit shows Vladimir Putin still calls the shots, Shaun Walker writes.
European blazes | Wildfires have forced the closure of trails on Mount Vesuvius in Italy, while those working to contain France’s biggest wildfire since 1949 face a “challenging day” in soaring heat.
‘A lot of money to be made’ | A spate of robberies of luxury handbags in Paris suggests that high-value leather goods are now a bigger target for organised criminals than jewels or cash.
‘I’ll get back to you’ | Emma Thompson has accepted Academy Awards, Baftas and even a damehood, but there was one offer she had to turn down – a date with Donald Trump.
Full Story
Why doesn’t Adani pay any corporate tax?
When Adani first sought government approval for its Carmichael coalmine in Queensland, a big selling point was the company’s pledge to deliver $22bn in taxes and royalties. But the Australian government has not received a single cent in corporate tax. Jonathan Barrett speaks with Reged Ahmad about why it’s time for a rethink on how we tax corporate wealth.
In-depth
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been answering curly questions about science with characteristic excitement and passion for more than 40 years. But the 77-year-old science communicator can’t be everywhere all at once. So he is working on an AI chatbot designed to answer questions about the climate crisis. Will it change sceptics’ minds? Well, he’s willing to give it a try.
Not the news
In the latest in our Kindness of strangers series, we hear from a reader who found herself sore, sad and scared after a mastectomy – and in need of a new bra. Overwhelmed and sobbing as she stood in front of racks of bras in a department store, she was saved by a shop assistant who took her by both hands and promised that eventually “it will all be OK”.
Sport
Cricket | Tim David (above) and Josh Hazlewood shine as Australia sink South Africa in the first match of a T20 with a 17-run victory.
AFL | Individual brilliance got the Bulldogs over the line on a typical Beveridge-era day of AFL footy, Jonathan Horn writes.
Football | Crystal Palace sank Liverpool on penalties to claim the Community shield; there was a reality check for Liverpool after summer transfers and tragedy, John Brewin writes.
Darts | Luke Littler lit up Wollongong with his Australian Darts Masters victory.
Media roundup
Australia’s ski resorts are backing themselves with major investments despite recent lean years on the slopes, ABC News reports. CSIRO researchers have developed a new algorithm that can block images from being used to create deepfakes, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Victoria residents between Ballarat and Bendigo reported seeing a meteor burning through the sky overnight, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
NSW | NCAT hearing continues for MP Mark Latham, accused of sexual harassment in the workplace.
ACT | The Crawford Fund’s food security annual conference is being held at Parliament House in Canberra.
Business | JB Hi-Fi earnings for the 2025 financial year are due to be released.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
