Morning everyone. Israel’s top general has warned his troops overnight that they should prepare for an invasion of Lebanon. We have the full story and analysis. At home, we reveal that a New South Wales official is alleged to have offered a woman a “sex-for-housing” deal, we have graphics showing how the big two supermarkets take turns having items on sale, and the unlikely story of how two strangers found love on a stranded cruise ship.
Australia
‘More to do’ | The government will today launch a storybook called My Superhero Voice aimed at teaching children from multicultural backgrounds about body safety and consent, but experts say there is still more to do.
Exclusive | Police are investigating a Homes New South Wales employee, who is alleged to have propositioned a woman on the waitlist for public housing, claiming that if she had sex with him he would arrange for her and her child to get into a home faster.
‘Helplessly watching’ | Lebanese Australians have described their horror at “helplessly watching … our country, our villages and homes, bombed into oblivion” as Israeli attacks on Hezbollah positions continued overnight.
FOI win | The full federal court has rejected the Albanese government’s attempt to keep ministerial documents beyond the reach of freedom-of-information requests after their authors leave office.
Negative feedback | Some Labor MPs say the government should not be afraid of considering reforms to negative gearing, with several caucus members saying they were open to fresh and bolder responses to the housing crisis.
World
‘Possible entry’ | Israel’s top general has said the country is preparing for a ground operation inside Lebanon as the country’s military called up two brigades of reserve troops and an intense bombing campaign inside Lebanon stretched into a third day. The outcome of any ground campaign, our correspondent explains, will depend on which lessons have been learned from Israel’s ill-starred invasion in 2006.
Trump ‘plot’ | US intelligence officials have briefed Donald Trump about a suspected Iranian plot to kill him, while a Senate report says the Secret Service made numerous errors in the lead-up to the attempt on Trump’s life in Pennsylvania in July. Battleground states North Carolina and Pennsylvania remain very close in the presidential race, new polls released indicate.
Zelenskyy plea | Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told the United Nations that Russia is planning to attack Ukrainian nuclear power plants as he repeated his calls for unity from world leaders in order to force Russia to the negotiating table. The UN also heard that Australia has joined Canada, Germany and the Netherlands in taking the Taliban to the international court of justice for gender discrimination.
France warning | France’s new rightwing interior minister has hinted at a change in immigration rules after a Moroccan man suspected of murdering a 19-year-old university student was arrested in Switzerland. And check out this brilliant data analysis of the people involved in the recent anti-migrant riots in the UK.
Love cruise | Two strangers stranded in Belfast when a cruise ship was forced to have repairs have announced their engagement after falling in love during their enforced stay.
Full Story
Sisonke Msimang on why politics needs to be more diverse
Nour Haydar speaks to commentator Sisonke Msimang about why parliament is more diverse than ever but still doesn’t reflect Australian society.
In-depth
Our economics columnist Greg Jericho has assembled some superb graphics to illustrate how supermarkets have helped to keep inflation high and prolong the cost-of-living crisis. The “competition” on the price of Coke and Pepsi (pictured) is a great example, he says, and shows how they ensure they always have those products available at a discount, which is obviously bad news for independents. But there’s one in the eye for the big two with a Choice survey revealing that Aldi shoppers save at least $15 on a basket of essential items.
Not the news
Ellen DeGeneres has returned to standup in what is billed as the reckoning with her being “kicked out of showbusiness” amid accusations about a toxic workplace culture on her TV show. But, according to our comedy writer Brian Logan, her Netflix special, For Your Approval, is a “study in evasion, self-mythologising – and world-beating servility on the part of her audience”. For apologies and humility, he says, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
The world of sport
Netball | The Diamonds have maintained their dominance over England by wrapping up their netball Test series with a thumping 69-56 victory in game three in Bendigo last night.
AFL | They may be the Sydney Swans but the team running out in red and white in Saturday’s grand final still have great pulling power in their old South Melbourne home, writes Caitlin Cassidy.
Football | It’s a big night of football with the Europa League kicking off and you can follow the action in Manchester United v Twente and other games at our live blog.
Media roundup
A Sydney developer tells the Telegraph the entire economy will fall apart if the government scraps negative gearing, although the Age claims the prime minister will not go ahead with the change unless it’s certain it won’t hurt supply. Star Entertainment has secured a $200m rescue package, the Courier Mail reports, but talks with the state government are continuing over a tax deferral. A man’s attempt to sue the former alcohol minister for being forced to provide ID when buying a bottle of wine has been dismissed as “frivolous and possibly vexatious”, the NT News reports.
What’s happening today
Economy | Reserve Bank releases its financial stability review at 10am.
Canberra | Former treasurer and US ambassador Joe Hockey at the National Press Club.
Arts | Aria award nominees announcement at 10am.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
