Morning everyone. A surge in the value of Australia’s sovereign wealth fund is partly thanks to huge returns from its investment in weapons in defence companies that are profiting from wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, we report today.
Donald Trump is spruiking a new peace plan for Gaza, which Israel says Hamas must accept or it will “finish the job”.
Meanwhile, senior Liberal women say the party risks losing more female and young voters if it abandons net zero, Australia’s women cricketers prepare to defend their World Cup crown, and JK Rowling had some sharp words for Emma Watson.
Australia
Practice makes perfect | Michelle de Kretser has won the $80,000 Prime Minister’s Literary award for fiction for her eighth novel, Theory & Practice, backing up her win in the Stella prize earlier this year (and taking the opportunity to again send a message about Gaza).
Defensive stocks | Australia’s $250bn sovereign wealth fund has secured huge returns on investment in weapons and defence companies in less than two years, despite long-running criticism of its support for the industry. They include booming investments in Israeli weapons manufacturers.
Cop out | Turkey says it is pursuing “innovative solutions” in the race with Australia to host the Cop31 UN climate talks, arguing both countries can win from drawn-out negotiations over next year’s summit.
Rock slide | The Albanese government agreed to weaken conditions it had proposed to protect world heritage-listed Indigenous rock art from Woodside’s giant North West Shelf gas development after the fossil fuel company argued it could be forced to shut the plant.
Liberal warning | The Liberal party will alienate more women and young people if it abandons net zero, several Liberal women including frontbencher Maria Kovacic have warned, as the party publicly fractures over its energy policy.
World
Trump ‘confident’ | Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have presented a new peace plan for Gaza after meeting at the White House. Follow developments in Washington live.
Shooter sign | The gunman who killed at least four worshippers, wounded eight and was shot to death by police at a Mormon church in Michigan had a Trump sign outside his house, public records show. It was just one of six mass shootings that erupted across the US over a weekend of gun horror.
Moldova moment | Moldova’s pro-western president, Maia Sandu, has hailed voters’ refusal to be “bought” by Moscow after her ruling party held on to its parliamentary majority in Sunday’s pivotal election, bolstering the country’s aspiration of joining the EU and distancing itself from Russia’s influence.
Taliban shutdown | A huge communications blackout has hit Afghanistan after Taliban authorities began severing fibre-optic connections in several provinces to prevent “vice”.
Rowling/Watson rift | Harry Potter author JK Rowling has responded to Emma Watson’s recent remarks about their rift over transgender rights, saying the actor is “ignorant of how ignorant she is”.
Full Story
Andrew Hastie and the rise of the ‘Maga right’
Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy discusses the rise of the SAS soldier turned Liberal politician Andrew Hastie with Nour Haydar, asking if he could be successful in importing US-style politics to Australian shores.
In-depth
Australia’s female cricketers suffered their heaviest ever defeat earlier this month, as the gap narrows between the title holders and the rest of the field as they prepare for the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. But, Mrinal Asija argues, Australia still have the experience and strength in depth to hang on to their crown.
Not the news
Sydney city council is spruiking the revamp of the city’s famous Oxford Street as a “flagship of urban renewal”. Storeholders on the venerated strip tell Daisy Dumas it might have been a chance to create a “gay Disneyland” of thriving shops but accuse the council of “killing” any chance of proper regeneration.
Sport
NRL | The Broncos’ astonishing preliminary final comeback against the Panthers ended one dynasty, but now they must beat the NRL’s benchmark team – the Melbourne Storm – in this weekend’s grand final to return the flag to Queensland.
Football | West Ham travel to Everton in the Premier League this morning days after sacking their manager, Graham Potter. Find out how they fared.
Golf | After a controversy-filled Ryder Cup, our writers choose their best moments – from Europe’s epic pairings to the USA’s brave comeback, crowd control, and Shane Lowry having the last say.
Media roundup
Australia’s renewables rollout will require 1,000 projects costing $1.33tn, including 25,000 more wind towers with 45,000km of associated roads, and 250m solar panels on 406,000ha, the Australian calculates. Two recent triple zero failures spell trouble for Optus top brass, a columnist argues in the Age. Concord hospital has spent $2.4m clearing a backlog of 50,000 scans, the Sydney Morning Herald claims. The Daily Telegraph says the silver lining of not having any Sydney clubs in the NRL grand final is that interstate fans will “fill the tourist coffers”.
What’s happening today
Canberra | Hillary Clinton in conversation with Leigh Sales at Women Unlimited leadership summit at 11am.
Economy | RBA interest rate decision at 2.30pm.
Arts | Melbourne Fringe festival starts.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
