Morning everyone. As Israel launched a new air and ground offensive on Gaza overnight, Australia has joined 24 other countries in condemning Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for depriving Palestinians of their “human dignity”.
Plus, we hear from readers about their struggles in the property market, our Full Story podcast asks whether today’s new parliament means a new politics as well, and having fun in the First Time Club.
Australia
A total croc? | Was a crocodile really sighted on the weekend in Noosa, hundreds of kilometres from the reptile’s normal territory? Joe Hinchliffe investigates.
Latham ‘repulsive’ | Anthony Albanese said last night that he finds some of Mark Latham’s views “repulsive” after the Labor caucus voted to add text to a portrait of the former leader at Parliament House condemning his actions since he departed federal politics. Albanese told ABC’s 7.30 he regrets Latham “ever being elected leader of the Labor party”.
Housing anguish | As house prices rise again, some of our readers share their despairing stories of trying to compete in the market. Some were outbid even before homes were officially listed; another was pipped by an investor; and one couple can’t afford to have children.
Hecs plan | Cutting student loans by a flat $5,500 would be fairer and more effective than Labor’s promised 20% reduction to Hecs debts, a leading independent thinktank says.
Frog hope | Hundreds of captive-bred, critically endangered frogs are managing to survive after being released in a mountain stream near Mount Beauty in Victoria, with some moving a “considerable distance” since release.
World
Trump tip | An artist who first accused Jeffrey Epstein (above left) and Ghislaine Maxwell of sexual assault almost three decades ago has said that she had urged the FBI to investigate powerful people in their orbit – including Donald Trump (above right).
Israel offensive | Israel has launched substantial air raids and a ground operation in Gaza, targeting Deir al-Balah, the main hub for humanitarian efforts in the devastated Palestinian territory. Australia has joined the UK and 23 other nations in condemning Israel for depriving Palestinians of “human dignity” as they issued a call for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. More than 130 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Powering up | China has begun building the world’s biggest hydropower megadam, according to the country’s premier, producing 300m MW every year at a cost of around $A250bn.
Bangladesh crash | At least 19 people have died after a Bangladesh air force plane crashed into a school campus in Dhaka. More than 50 others, including children, were taken to hospital, mostly with burns injuries.
Scan shock | A man wearing a large weight-training chain around his neck who approached his wife while a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine scanned her knee at a clinic in New York died after he had a “medical episode” when he was pulled into the device.
Full Story
A new parliament, but is it new politics?
As the 48th federal parliament begins today, Reged Ahmad speaks to chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy and political reporter Krishani Dhanji about our new political reality. Tom also writes today about how Labor’s whopping majority means some of their members will have to be seated on the other side of the chamber in a symbolic power shift in Canberra.
In-depth
Justice Michael Wigney’s ruling last week that the federal government does not owe Torres Strait Islanders a duty of care to protect them from the climate crisis will resound through politics for years to come, our environment editor argues today, not least because the judge made a powerful case for why he might have found in the islanders’ favour.
Not the news
With the coach trip and packed lunches, Tom Gill’s day out to go whale watching on Phillip Island might give school trip vibes. But this is something different – a trip with Melbourne’s First Time Club where like-minded adults can enjoy a new experience and build friendships. “There’s no rules today … Just have fun!” says the group leader.
Sport
Football | Liverpool are to take their summer spending to almost £300m (A$600m) after agreeing to pay £69m plus £10m in add-ons for the Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike (above).
Cricket | England batsman Harry Brook has said that England’s victory in the third Test against India taught them that “you don’t always have to be nice” and ended a period in which they have tended to be overly friendly.
Athletics | Sebastian Coe says World Athletics is closely monitoring the failure of Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track series to pay athletes in full for their appearances.
Media roundup
Shareholders of a childcare chain are demanding answers from management about abuse allegations, the Age claims. Chinese EVs will make up close to half of all sales in Australia by 2035, according to research cited by the Fin Review. Adelaide has become the most expensive city in the country in which to learn to drive, the Advertiser says.
What’s happening today
Economy | The minutes of the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy July board meeting will be released at 11.30am.
Politics | George Brandis will deliver a webinar on the Australian Liberal party titled: What has gone wrong?
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
