Good morning. The Israeli death toll from a Hamas attack on the country has risen to at least 700, with families searching for hostages and the missing, while at least 413 have been killed in Gaza. We have extensive coverage including a live blog with the latest.
Back home there have been claims that the former Western Australia premier Mark McGowan put pressure on the independent Environmental Protection Authority to withdraw climate guidelines opposed by gas companies. This is evidence of the fossil fuel industry’s “ownership” of the state, according to senior Labor party and non-profit figures.
And Australia has made a disappointing start to the men’s cricket World Cup, with India cruising to a comfortable win after a nervous first few overs.
Australia
Opera House | From Hugh Jackman’s black eye to “benevolent” ghosts in the back seats, tour guides, security staff and stage managers guide us through five decades underneath the white sails of the Sydney Opera House.
Energy | Bill Hare of the non-profit organisation Climate Analytics says allegation about Mark McGowan’s 2019 phone call to the EPA chairman showed decision-making in WA had been “captured” by oil and gas interests.
Exclusive | The Queensland health minister has called on the federal government to consider scrapping restrictions that prevent most gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
Education | Almost half of all parents with children in Australia’s private schools would consider moving them to the public system if it was better resourced, a new survey shows.
Groundwater damage | Large flows of pollution are reaching the Great Barrier Reef after soaking into underground water, new research shows.
World
Israel-Hamas war | The Israeli death toll after a surprise attack by the militant group Hamas in the country’s south rose to at least 600 as Israelis searched for missing relatives. In Gaza, 370 deaths were recorded after Israeli air strikes hit. The Hamas assault drew widespread condemnation. Follow our live coverage.
Afghanistan quake | The death toll from a series of earthquakes in the country’s west rose sharply to more than 2,000 people, according to a Taliban spokesperson, as rescuers searched for survivors.
US Republicans | The party is at last paying the price of its Faustian pact with Donald Trump, Michael Cohen writes, as a top GOP figure urged the party to end its “civil war” and elect a new speaker.
Spanish protest | Tens of thousands of people joined conservative and far-right Spanish political leaders in Barcelona to protest against the Socialist party’s decision to consider an amnesty for those involved in the push for Catalan independence six years ago.
Nordic noir | In a real-life detective mystery, Sweden’s “queen of noir” Camilla Läckberg has been accused of using a ghostwriter for her thrillers.
Full Story
‘We don’t want your backyard’: Briggs on why he’s campaigning for yes
Laura Murphy-Oates reports from the Now and Forever concert in the regional Victorian town of Shepparton. She speaks to the Yorta Yorta rapper Adam Briggs about why he is advocating for a yes vote and about the power of comedy and community to counter misinformation.
In-depth
The world’s first climate change class action saw Australia’s federal court travel to the Torres Strait to hear arguments on the frontline. Isabelle Reinecke joined the judicial visit to the country’s northernmost inhabited point, the low-lying Boigu Island, where it was confronted by the sea’s undeniable warming – and guided through the case by traditional owners whose action could end up protecting all Australians from the climate crisis.
Not the news
For a couple of months each summer, a stark mountain landscape in north-west Wyoming becomes a high-calorie buffet for hundreds of grizzly bears, which each feast on up to 40,000 moths – known as “bear butter” – every day.
But, perhaps predictably, humans traveling to watch the spectacle are getting in the way.
The world of sport
Cricket World Cup | After a wobble, India, 201-4, defeated Australia by six wickets.
Long distance feat | Kelvin Kiptum has shattered the marathon world record in Chicago in a time that not long ago would have seemed impossible.
Rugby World Cup | Tonga beat Romania 45-24; Argentina secured a quarter-final berth in a thrilling 39-27 match with Japan.
Gymnastics | Simone Biles closed out a comeback meet after a two‑year layoff by winning two gold medals at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.
Premier League | Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0; West Ham drew 2-all with Newcastle.
Media roundup
A poll in the Sydney Morning Herald has 56% of those surveyed rejecting the voice yes vote, despite a late gain for the campaign. The Australian’s Newspoll also puts the yes campaign a long way behind. In the Canberra Times, Israeli and Palestinian communities in the capital speak of the race to contact family and friends as the Israel-Hamas war exploded. The Palestinian Authority said Australia’s response to the Hamas attack was disappointing, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
New Zealand elections | If you’re a New Zealander abroad who has visited the country in the past six years, you can easily vote before the 14 October election, either online or – in many cities – in person. As one of the Guardian’s New Zealand reporters, I’ve written about the expected rightwing direction of the next government, which could draw a line under the Jacinda Ardern era of politics for good.
Rugby World Cup | Fiji v Portugal is under way – follow our coverage.
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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.
