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Trump says the first phase of an agreement has been reached to end the war in Gaza
President Trump announced that an agreement has been reached to end the war in Gaza — hours after his Secretary of State handed him a note during a White House event. He may travel to Egypt soon.

Politics live: Leeser warns of use-by-date for Coalition ‘introspection’; government prepares for return of more Australian citizens from Middle East
Authorities preparing for return of more women and children from former Islamic State caliphates. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWill Australia’s east coast get a gas reserve?There have been growing calls for an east coast gas reserve to help combat sky high gas prices, including a push from the Bluescope steel CEO yesterday.We will do a careful piece of work here. In the last term of government, we intervened on gas prices following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the impact that had in global energy markets in order to support, of course, households, but also industry.Gas is absolutely critical for sections of Australian industry … It’s a critical transition fuel to lower Australia’s industrial emissions.We’re a big exporter of gas, and it’s reasonable that I think for Australian industry and for Australians to say we need to make sure there is sufficient gas for Australian industry.This is a critical industrial capability for Australia. We have vast reserves of copper ore, and there is global trade imbalances, subsidies in some markets, volatility that is making it an unfair playing field for Australian copper producers in global markets. We need to see that. Continue reading...

Gaza ceasefire talks live: Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off on ‘first phase’ of peace plan
Trump says ‘all parties will be treated fairly’ while Israeli prime minster Benjamin Netanyahu says ‘with God’s help’ all hostages will be brought homeAs part of the Guardian’s Israel-Gaza: two years on series marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attack into Israel and the war in Gaza, the below has been published:The children’s names appear on a list of victims of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, maintained by health authorities in the territory. As of the end of July it ran to 60,199 names, of whom 18,457 were under 18s. Far from comprehensive, the list does not include the thousands still buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings, as well as the war’s many indirect victims. Continue reading...

White House gives platform to conservative influencers to air grievances during ‘antifa roundtable’ – live
Witnesses at White House describe being assaulted by leftwing protesters but fail to mention they often confront people and film the responses they provokeGaza ceasefire talks live: Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off on ‘first phase’ of peace planA series of “violent” texts sent by a Democrat seeking to become Virginia’s attorney general has shaken up the state’s governor’s race, with Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears seizing on the controversy to try to reverse her opponent’s double-digit polling lead.Earle-Sears has released new campaign advertisements condemning Democratic former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, her opponenent in the governor’s race, for continuing to support Jay Jones, whose private texts three years ago speculated about a senior state Republican getting “two bullets to the head” and “breeding little fascists”. Continue reading...

Marco Rubio interrupts Trump with handwritten note on Gaza peace deal
Note from secretary of state says ‘you need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce deal first’Donald Trump was holding a roundtable event with conservative influencers about antifa Wednesday when Marco Rubio, standing in the back corner of the White House’s Blue Room, caught his eye.The secretary of state had news for Trump, he said, but it would have to wait until after the media left. Then Rubio passed the president a note. Continue reading...
Israel and Hamas agree on the 'first phase' of Gaza ceasefire deal
The deal raises the possibility that the war may now be over, ending the bloodiest fighting ever between Israelis and Palestinians.

‘First phase’ of ceasefire deal to end war in Gaza agreed by Israel and Hamas
Donald Trump announces that all hostages will be released ‘very soon’ and Israel will withdraw troops to an agreed upon lineFollow latest updates liveUS president Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan, bringing the best hope yet of a definitive end to a bloody two-year conflict that has killed ten of thousands, destabilised much of the Middle East and prompted protests across the world.“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan,” Trump said on his Truth Social network on Wednesday evening. Continue reading...
France’s Macron to appoint new prime minister within 48 hours
The announcement came after last-ditch talks by outgoing premier Sebastien Lecornu failed to find a solution to crisis.

University of Melbourne rated best in Australia in global rankings report
Times Higher Eduction ranks university as 37th in the world, with five other Australian schools in top 100Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podThe University of Melbourne remains Australia’s highest-ranked institution, coming in 37th in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings report.The university rose to 37th place in the 2026 rankings, up from 39th last year and above the University of Sydney and Monash. Continue reading...