Morning everyone. Israeli military vessels have intercepted the Gaza aid flotilla with Australian activists on board 120km off the coast of the embattled Palestinian enclave. We have live coverage.
Meanwhile, advocates in New South Wales are calling for the government to scrap strip-searches of young people after a landmark court case. The White House says it will lay off workers during the US federal shutdown, and we examine why household appliances aren’t built to last any more.
Plus, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall has died aged 91.
Australia
Final countdown | Channel Nine’s coverage of the NRL grand final between the Broncos and the Storm on Sunday could match the television audience for the AFL decider, or may even exceed it for the first time in 10 years.
‘Scrap’ strip-searches | Advocates are calling on the NSW government to scrap strip-searches of young people, saying a court ruling found “systemic” issues with the way police have been using their powers.
Care call | A Senate inquiry into the delayed aged care scheme has sounded the alarm on the potentially fatal consequences of what it has labelled a “calculated denial” of services as more than 200,000 elderly Australians remain on waiting lists.
Rate wait | The Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock is hinting that the board is unlikely to cut rates next month, writes Greg Jericho, which is a big signal that she thinks the economy is stronger than the data suggests.
Fast-track risk | Changes to NSW’s planning laws designed to fast-track housing are so broad they could facilitate fast-tracking of mines, power projects and infrastructure without environmental assessment, the Environmental Defenders Office has warned.
World
‘Revolutionised science’ | The renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, considered the world’s leading expert on chimpanzees, has died at the age of 91.
Flotilla intercept | Israeli warships have intercepted a pro-Palestinian flotilla off the coast of Gaza as it attempted to breach Israel’s maritime blockade of the war-torn enclave and deliver humanitarian aid. Follow developments live. The Australian government has said it is “deeply concerned” about the safety of its citizens on board the flotilla. The Israeli military has issued what it said was its final warning for Gaza City residents to flee as it intensified its bombardment and offensive.
Federal furlough | An estimated 750,000 US federal employees are furloughed as a result of the first federal government shutdown since 2018 as the White House indicates it will take the opportunity to cut jobs. It could give the Democrats the issue they need to rally around. Follow developments live.
Nuclear risk | Russian has been accused of sabotaging the last line into the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as the Danish PM warns Europe is in its “most difficult and dangerous situation” since the end of the second world war.
Autism clue | Autism should not be viewed as a single condition with a unified underlying cause, according to scientists who found that those diagnosed early in childhood typically have a distinct genetic profile to those diagnosed later.
Full Story
Is the Trump plan for Gaza designed to fail?
Our Washington bureau chief, David Smith, speaks to Reged Ahmad about whether the Trump Gaza proposal is a roadmap to peace or just theatrics by the US president.
In-depth
Everyone (especially older readers) must have had the same thought: why do household appliances not last as long as they used to and why can’t they be repaired? The new trend for repair cafes and the like are going some way to addressing the problem and now consumer advocates want the government to bring in a labelling and rating scheme for durability and repairability. Petra Stock looks for a fix.
Not the news
Michael Ward, also known as the Mad As Hell Kraken, gives us the 10 funniest things he has ever seen on the internet. These include a Tony Abbott brain fade, the greatness of Scooby-Doo, and Amy Poehler and Tina Fey hosting the Golden Globes.
Sport
Cricket | Australia’s women made a good start to the defence of their World Cup crown overnight with an 89-run win over New Zealand in Indore thanks in large part to a brilliant 115 by Ash Gardner. Australia’s men cruised to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui in the first of a three-match T20 series.
Rugby league | James Tedesco has won his second Dally M Medal with the Sydney Roosters star finishing 22 points clear of his nearest rival. Tamika Upton of the Broncos won the women’s award.
Football | Newcastle got their first Champions League points after beating Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 in Brussels. This morning’s heavyweight clash is Barcelona against PSG, while Arsenal are at home to Olympiakos.
Media roundup
The Queensland LNP banked $250,000 on one day from selling access to premier David Crisafulli to companies and business lobbyists, according to the Australian. The Age assesses the hits and misses of Kerry Stokes’s media career as he sells his Seven West empire to Southern Cross. A survival expert tells the Adelaide Advertiser there are reasons to be hopeful about finding alive the four-year-old missing in the South Australia bush.
What’s happening today
Tax take | ATO releases its annual corporate tax transparency report.
Economy | RBA releases its financial stability review and ABS has data on monthly household spending.
Brisbane | 2032 Olympic boss Andrew Liveris speaks at a business lunch.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
