Morning everyone. Our Essential poll published today shows grows growing scepticism with the Aukus nuclear submarine deal and whether it will make Australia more secure.
Plus, the government has declared a change of heart on whether YouTube should fall under the proposed social media ban for under-16s, Naplan results reveal the state of our education system, the UK says it will recognise a Palestinian state, and there’s a tough draw for the Matildas in next year’s home Asian Cup.
Australia
YouTube ban | Children will be banned from having YouTube accounts from December, with the federal government backflipping on an earlier decision to exempt the video platform from the national under-16s social media restrictions.
Essential poll | The majority of Australians believe the defence force will never receive the Aukus submarines as doubts grow over America’s commitment to the military pact and the reliability of the US president, Donald Trump. The analyst Peter Lewis says this is the latest evidence of a shift in opinion in Australia and that “convening our own review and asking own pointed questions seems to be the least we should do”.
‘It’s 2025’ | The Liberal National party MP Terry Young has rubbished the opposition’s push for gender quotas, drawing a rebuke from Labor that his Tony Abbott-style comments showed that the parties were out of touch.
Naplan failings | One in three students have failed to meet Naplan benchmarks, according to the results of this year’s tests released this morning, as thousands of disadvantaged students continue to fall through the cracks. But this heartwarming story proves there’s more to good education than test results.
DV failures | Family violence services are regularly failing to contact offenders who have been referred to them for support, a Victorian coroner investigating the death of a woman who was murdered by her estranged husband has found.
World
‘Intolerable’ | The UK will formally recognise the state of Palestine this September as a result of the “increasingly intolerable” situation in Gaza unless Israel abides by a ceasefire and commits to a two-state solution. In Israel, 31 leading public figures called in a letter to the Guardian for “crippling sanctions” on their own country as UN experts warn of a “worst-case” famine in Gaza. And could the US right could be turning on Tel Aviv?
Tariff truce | US and Chinese negotiators have agreed in principle to push back the deadline for escalating tariffs, although America’s representatives said any extension would need Donald Trump’s approval.
Mob attack | A Jewish father and his six-year-old son have been targeted by a mob at a service station near Milan in the latest of a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe.
NFL shooting link | The gunman identified in the mass shooting in New York on Monday that killed four victims left a note complaining that playing American football had given him the brain injury known as CTE, and police are investigating whether he was targeting the NFL offices.
Ad backlash | An ad campaign from American Eagle starring the US actor Sydney Sweeney is facing a backlash, with some critics alleging that the brand’s punny use of the phrase “great jeans” is a coded promotion of eugenics.
Full Story
Why the Australian Greens expelled their cofounder
Queensland state reporter Joe Hinchcliffe tells Nour Haydar why the Greens have terminated Drew Hutton’s life membership over a debate the party considers harmful to trans people, but which Hutton has framed as an issue of free speech.
In-depth
This year’s Booker prize longlist – published overnight – is the most global for many years, with authors from nine different countries chosen by the judges such as Kiran Desai, Tash Aw and David Szalay – although there are none from Australia. One of those judges, Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured), could be conflicted because a production company run by the actor is reportedly in the process of developing a book on the list by Claire Adam.
Not the news
Have you always wanted to make focaccia but are too worried that it’ll be a disaster? Well, Sarah Pound is here to help with a base recipe that “could not be easier” and has no tricky techniques or secrets. And there are four simple suggested toppings.
Sport
Swimming | Australia’s backstroke star Kaylee McKeown has overcome an injury scare to capture another world title, edging out her edge her great rival and world record holder, American Regan Smith.
Football | The Matildas have been pitted against the team that ended their last Women’s Asian Cup campaign, facing South Korea in the group stage of the 2026 tournament along with the Philippines and Iran.
Rugby union | The Wallabies can’t save the series after the controversial loss of the second Test but they can save face when they face the Lions in Sydney on Saturday, writes Angus Fontaine.
Media roundup
A “fatal loophole” in regulations has paved the way for lethal e-scooters and e-bikes on the streets of New South Wales and Victoria, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Westpac’s boss has told Jim Chalmers that Labor could win more conservative votes if it ended tax bracket creep and boosted housing supply, the Australian reports. Faith in Victoria police is at an all-time low, the Herald Sun says, and looks at what the new chief of the force has to do. Queensland’s teachers have voted to strike next week over an insulting pay offer, the Courier Mail reports.
What’s happening today
Economy | The latest inflation figures are released by the ABS at 11.30am.
Sydney | CCA appeal judgment as crown appeals sentence for former police officer Kristian White who Tasered a 95-year-old dementia patient.
Business | Atlassian’s Scott Farquhar speaks at the National Press Club at 11.30am.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
