Good morning. Australia has joined the UK and Canada in recognising Palestinian statehood as the prime minister arrives in New York for a series of high-level meetings including – he hopes – with President Donald Trump.
And as a social media ban looms for under-16s, our investigation reveals that Australian children will still be able to find gambling, conspiracy and neo-Nazi content on some social media platforms – simply by not being logged in.
We also take a look at why Sydney is a hotspot for public transport fare dodging. And in sport, Oscar Piastri crashed out of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix while Nicola Olyslagers won gold at the World Athletic Championships.
Australia
Social media | A Guardian Australia test has found that scrolling shortform videos while logged out of YouTube and TikTok quickly leads to gambling-related, violent and far-right content.
Palestinian state | Australia has, alongside Canada and the UK, formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, completing a landmark shift in foreign policy.
‘Why should I pay?’ | Sydney has the highest rate of fare evasion in Australia. But experts believe there are lessons that NSW can learn from Australia’s other two big public transport networks.
Analysis | The Conservative Political Action Conference laid bare Sussan Ley’s challenge in holding together a fractured opposition as she struggles for conservative airtime, Josh Butler writes.
‘A mythical place’ | A Melbourne sewage farm has became an unlikely refuge for 300 species of birds – and a magnet for birdwatchers. As part of our Australian bird of the year coverage, we find out what they’re flocking to see.
World
Gaza crisis | Benjamin Netanyahu (above) called the recognition of Palestine by the UK, Canada and Australia “an absurd prize for terrorism” as further nations prepare to follow suit; at least 40 killed in Gaza and five in Lebanon as Israeli continues its strikes.
Charlie Kirk memorial | Donald Trump is expected to deliver an address as tens of thousands of people attend the memorial service for murdered rightwing activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona.
European tensions | German fighters scrambled to intercept a Russian military aircraft above the Baltic Sea – the latest of a series of provocative acts by the Kremlin as the Russia-Ukraine war grinds on.
Philippines clashes | Tens of thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protest against government corruption amid fears that taxpayers have lost billions of dollars to bogus flood relief projects.
TikTok takeover | Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan will probably be part of a group of investors that will buy TikTok in the US, Donald Trump has said.
Full Story
Why some professional netballers are turning their backs on the sport
Netball is the highest-participation sport for women and girls in Australia, but with only a handful of spots available in the Super Netball – the world’s best professional league – it’s a hard-fought battle at the top. Sports commentator Georgia Rajic tells Reged Ahmad about how the rise of other viable sporting careers, such as the AFLW, is causing some netballers to look elsewhere.
In-depth
Muslim women are disproportionately targeted in Islamophobic attacks, which have been on the rise in Australia since 7 October 2023. These incidents have included Muslim women having their hijabs pulled off and being spat on in public. Victim-survivors share their stories with Adeshola Ore – and reveal the lasting impacts that racist attacks have had on their day-to-day lives.
Not the news
With ongoing debate about the negative effects smartphones can have on developing minds – from self-esteem to sleep and time spent outside – many parents are facing the dilemma of exactly what to do for their child’s first phone. Should they instead consider “dumb” phones, low-tech mobiles or surveillance apps? Experts share some insights with Catie McLeod.
Sport
Athletics | Nicola Olyslagers beat rain delays to win high jump gold for Australia at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Motorsport | Max Verstappen won the Azerbaijan F1 Grand Prix, while Lando Norris struggled after Oscar Piastri crashed out.
AFL | The Young Lions have been dealt a knockout blow in what felt like an ageing Collingwood’s last swing, Jonathan Horn writes.
Football | Gabriel Martinelli broke Manchester City’s resistance to earn Arsenal a point in the Premier League, and there was another Bournemouth blank for Eddie Howe as Newcastle were held.
Rugby league | The Panthers stunned the Bulldogs to surge into the NRL preliminary final with a five-peat dream alive.
Cricket | India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, once again chose not to shake hands with Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha at the Asia Cup.
Media roundup
Older Australians will have to pay up to $50 an hour for basic care at home under aged care changes due to take effect in November, ABC News reports. NSW will become the first state to outlaw modified ebikes on public trains due to lithium battery fire risks, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. New data reveals that Victoria’s urban sprawl is getting worse as officials struggle to meet ambitious density targets, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
New York | The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is at the United Nations General Assembly, beginning today.
ACT | RBA officials are due to appear before parliament’s standing committee on economics at a public hearing.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
