Morning, everyone. First up there is breaking news of a potential hostage release deal and ceasefire in Gaza – we have the latest as it develops.
Back on home soil, the legal complexities around the release last week of indefinite detainees have deepened in our exclusive story this morning which reveals how the government considered releasing the man at the centre of the case – while keeping the other 92 locked up. We’re also looking at the women footballers who believe they were unfairly taxed during Australia’s World Cup.
Australia
Power play | Electricity network providers raked in $2bn from customers in “superprofits” in just one year, much more than was needed to compensate shareholders for risk, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis calculates in a new report.
Exclusive | According to documents published by the high court, the government considered releasing the man who sparked the landmark ruling on indefinite detention – even though he raped a 10-year-old boy. They suggest home affairs minister Clare O’Neil was advised that using her powers to grant NZYQ a visa might neutralise the court challenge that last week led to the release of 92 others.
Protest crackdown | New South Wales police will be handed the power to lay charges for threats and incitement to violence based on race and religion in a reform introduced to state parliament amid rising tensions over the conflict in Gaza.
Antisemitism apology | Two of five students subjected to antisemitic bullying at a state school in Melbourne have rejected the state education department’s apology, calling it a sham.
‘Fifa goofed’ | Players from several teams at this year’s Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand have earned significantly less than they hoped, as a result of a tax imposed by the ATO.
World
Jet set | Private jets belonging to 200 celebrities, chief executives, oligarchs and billionaires such as the Murdoch family and the Rolling Stones have spent a combined total of 11 years in the air since the start of 2022, public data shows.
Hostage talks | Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was holding a war cabinet meeting this morning, Australian time, amid reports that a deal was close to release some of the hostages held by Hamas since 7 October. Our live blog has the latest. Qatari mediators have been helping to broker a deal that is believed will include only women and children, in exchange for the return of Palestinian prisoners, and come with a pause in hostilities.
Offender exposed | An outreach leader for Moms for Liberty – the US conservative parental rights group that is pushing to exclude discussion of gender and diversity from school curricula – has been exposed as a registered sex offender.
Up from the streets | A lost interview with the street artist Banksy, which contains the only known instance of him revealing his first name, has been unearthed.
Money for nothing | The legendary guitarist Mark Knopfler is selling his guitar collection so they can have “new adventures” with new owners. Some of the proceeds will be given to charity.
Full Story
The climate scientists who copped it – Weight of the world podcast, part 2
Three eminent climate scientists tell of government scepticism, personal attack and death threats after raising the alarm about climate change and their disbelief that meaningful action didn’t follow the science.
In-depth
Australians are paying up to $600 a week to rent a single room in some of the country’s most expensive suburbs as many people continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis. The top 10 priciest suburbs are all in Sydney (Mona Vale in the northern beaches pictured), new data shows, although St Kilda in Melbourne is joint 10th. It’s not all young people either, as the survey shows that the fastest growing cohort of sharers is those aged between 55 and 64. Today we hear from Claire Mulcahy, a teacher who has moved back in with her mother because she can’t afford to rent as a single person in Sydney.
Not the news
The annual ocean photographer of the year competition has produced some extraordinary images, including this one pictured above of an octopus in an artificial reef in Port Philip Bay, Melbourne. The various winning entries also show the environmental challenges to marine life and ecosystems – from a warming climate to human development and tourism.
The world of sport
World Cup football | Harry Souttar headed a first-half winner to give Australia all three points in their tricky World Cup qualifying match against Palestine played in an emotionally charged atmosphere in Kuwait overnight.
Cricket | Australia have withdrawn David Warner from the Twenty20 series against India after the hosts named an under-strength squad.
Women’s cricket | The International Cricket Council has become the latest sports body to ban transgender players from the elite women’s game if they have gone through male puberty.
Media roundup
The living standards of Victorians have fallen faster than in any other state, according to the Age, due to rising mortgage costs and population growth. The cost of reconfiguring Sydney’s exclusive Newington School to make it co-ed could be as much as $100m, the Telegraph estimates. Brisbane council is being forced to cut $400m from its budget, the Courier Mail says.
What’s happening today
Sydney | Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation trial starts against Ten, ABC.
Economy | Reserve Bank of Australia governor Michele Bullock speaks at the Australian Business Economists dinner.
Sport | Football Australia annual general meeting.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
