Good morning. We lead today with the Greens party spruiking its idea for a national renters protection authority – an agency that could fine real estate agents and give tenants more power in resolving disputes with their landlords.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest against the handling of the Gaza crisis amid outrage over the latest hostage deaths. Meanwhile, in Germany, the far-right Afd is poised for a German state election victory.
Plus: choking during sex was once considered a fringe practice but has now become common among under-35s. Guardian Australia speaks to young people and experts about why and how we got here.
Australia
Domestic violence | As part of new reforms, the NSW government will modernise the definition of “stalking” to cover smart technology-facilitated tracking of partners by domestic abusers.
Politics | The Greens have announced plans for a new body to help tackle tenancy disputes – including enforcing national standards on issues such as ventilation, heating, cooling and insulation.
Marine protection | The NSW government is being urged to ban anti-shark nets, which kill large numbers of turtles and dolphins, after 51 nets were installed along the state’s coastline.
Commonwealth Games | Victoria’s taxpayers could end up footing the bill for Scotland to host a “revised” 2026 Games using compensation money from dumping the event.
Nearing the end | Closing arguments in a defamation case brought against Brittany Higgins by her former boss the Liberal senator Linda Reynolds are expected to be heard today.
World
Middle East crisis | There have been protests in Israel amid an eruption of outrage over the handling of Gaza conflict. Officials report a “positive” start to the complex polio vaccination rollout in Gaza, despite continued fighting. The latest hostage deaths could pile pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire, Bethan McKernan writes.
German elections | A far-right party may become the biggest force in a German state parliament for the first time since the second world war, exit polls suggest; the far-right success shows east and west Germany are drifting further apart, Philip Oltermann writes.
Russia-Ukraine war | Ukraine has carried out one of its biggest drone attacks on Russia, with videos showing a series of explosions and fires at power stations and refineries – including in Moscow.
Pushing back | Afghan women inside and outside the country have posted videos of themselves singing in defiance against the Taliban’s new laws banning women’s voices in public.
On the road | Pope Francis is embarking on the longest, furthest and perhaps most challenging trip of his pontificate with a 12-day Asia-Pacific tour – including visits to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Full Story
What you buy and what it says about the economy
Whether it be our morning coffee or dining table or car loan, Australians are making changes to their daily routine in response to rising expenses. Businesses such as the coffee machine retailer Breville and the big two supermarkets are doing well, the premium furniture company Nick Scali is reporting falling profits and car repossessions are slowly rising. So are these warning signs of an imminent recession? Tamsin Rose and Jonathan Barrett track a day in the life of a cost-of living crisis.
In-depth
Anthony and James choke their girlfriends during sex. Sarah enjoys choking and being choked. Alice is open to it but was terrified when a casual partner once began choking her “out of nowhere”. Experts warn that sexual choking carries with it significant risk, including death, but an Australian study has found more than half of young people had engaged in the practice. Young people sharing their experiences with Guardian Australia say they are drawn to its danger, euphoria and intimacy. Research suggests risks are usually little understood, consent is problematic and the consequences can be fatal.
Not the news
Each month Guardian Australia editors and critics pick the upcoming titles they have already devoured – or can’t wait to get their hands on. From Kylie Mirmohamadi’s debut and Rodney Hall’s 14th novel to John Kinsella’s new short story collection and Malcolm Knox’s exploration of the dark heart of gangster-totalitarianism, dive in to our list of the best Australian books coming out in September – including one title that is “destined to be a classic”.
The world of sport
Cycling | Primož Roglič ate further into Australian Ben O’Connor’s overall race lead as Pablo Castrillo took stage 15 of the Vuelta a España.
Paralympics | Our live blog followed the latest results in Paris, where fresh Seine pollution concerns postponed triathlon events.
Rugby union | Wallabies showed character to win ugly and provide Rugby Championship spark, Angus Fontaine writes.
Football | Luis Díaz struck twice as dominant Liverpool won at Manchester United; Alexander Isak gave Newcastle liftoff as Tottenham fell to defeat; Eberechi Eze’s brilliant strike earned Crystal Palace a point at Chelsea.
Motorsport | The Australian driver Oscar Piastri was left to rue a missed opportunity after Charles Leclerc won the Italian F1 GP for Ferrari.
Media roundup
As the housing crisis continues, Sydney Water is set for a boardroom shake-up amid tensions over its approach to enabling infrastructure for new homes, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The peak body for financial counsellors is sounding the alarm over predatory lowball cash settlements from insurers to victims of flood damage, ABC News reports. There are calls for laser hair removal to be subsidised for those facing a lesser known symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
Victoria | Melbourne airport security screeners are due to strike as part of industrial action this morning.
NSW | The Sydney Dialogue summit, exploring trends dominating international technology, national security and geopolitics, is due to begin.
ABS | The latest building approval, business indicators and mineral and petroleum exploration figures will be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. And check out the full list of our local and international newsletters, including The Stakes, your guide to the twists and turns of the US presidential election.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
