Morning Mail: Hezbollah targeted by pager explosions, the ‘rent-tech’ burden, and night of the supermoon
Morning everyone. Hezbollah is pointing the finger at Israel after at least 11 people were killed and thousands were injured when pagers used by the group exploded simultaneously across Lebanon.
Our investigation into the property market continues as we report on the Australians who are charged to pay their rent thanks to the rise of “rent tech”, and Scotland has agreed to stage the Commonwealth Games that Victoria cancelled.
Australia
Moon shot | A supermoon will be visible in Australian skies tonight with astronomers passing on the useful advice to “remember to look up”.
‘Pro-business and pro-worker’ | Anthony Albanese has accused the Greens of “gesture-based climate amendments” to Labor’s environment legislation in a speech defending his government’s reform record and its relationship with big business. A double dissolution could create a Hunger Games contest, our political editor warns. What is a double dissolution, and how could it happen?
Teen control | Meta is putting Instagram users under the age of 18 into new “teen accounts” to allow parents greater control over their activities, including the ability to block children from viewing the app at night.
Union probe | The construction wing of the CFMEU is facing investigations into alleged corruption and criminal links in its Queensland, New South Wales and South Australian branches and a further inquiry in Victoria backed by new coercive powers, after its interim administrator accepted the findings of an initial investigation in full.
Poll play | The NSW Libertarian movement is taking political plays from arch rivals in a bid to become to the Liberals what the Greens are to Labor, after unexpected success at the state’s council elections.
World
Lebanon attack | Members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, including fighters and medics, have been killed and seriously wounded after the pagers they use to communicate exploded. Follow the developments live in what could be a big escalation if Israel was responsible.
Diddy rap | The rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, according to a US federal indictment.
Elephant cull | Zimbabwean authorities have set out plans to cull 200 elephants to feed communities facing acute hunger amid the worst drought in four decades.
Trudeau tightrope | Canada’s ruling Liberal party has lost a once-safe seat in Montreal, a result that is likely to put more pressure on the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, to quit.
Glimpse of Titan sub | The first picture of the Titan submersible after its deadly June 2023 implosion has been revealed by the US Coast Guard as authorities opened a public hearing into the deaths of five people onboard.
Full Story
Who cared? The disappearance of Amber Haigh, part 8
Robert and Anne Geeves were cleared this week of murdering 19-year-old Amber Haigh more than 20 years ago. Ben Doherty talks to Bridie Jabour about the two “indispensable facts” the judge says the prosecution failed to prove.
In-depth
The rent-tech industry is booming. There are apps to apply for a home, apps to pay rent, apps to make maintenance requests. But for some renters, this technology is making renting even more of a burden as the latest part of our investigation into the property market shows. Some of these apps impose service fees on rental payments, and in many cases they’re now written into rental contracts. Some renters, such as Guy Moore (pictured), are pushing back – but others fear that doing so will see them blacklised as bad tenants.
Not the news
Paul Daley has a dream and that is to see Sydney’s growing number of tree vandals go to jail. The harbour city is suffering an increasing plague where people are chopping down trees to improve the view from their properties, knowing there’ll be little sanction. He calls it “perhaps the ultimate in ‘FU society’ acts of wealthy entitlement” and hopes that one day councils can “bring on the criminal convictions and the truly punishing fines”.
The world of sport
Games on | The Scottish government has agreed a rescue deal for a scaled-down version of the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be hosted by Glasgow after Australian offered a “multimillion-pound commitment” to save the event. However, it could just be a temporary fix for the troubled event.
Football | Aston Villa have beaten the Swiss side Young Boys as the Champions League returns this morning. Liverpool are playing Milan and you can follow the other football action here.
Rugby union | English Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed to avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.
Media roundup
The former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has described a report into a car crash he was involved in nine years ago as full of “appalling conspiracy theories”, the Age reports. The Daily Telegraph is posing the “ultimate” question about Sydney airport: is it cheaper to get an Uber or a taxi? A hostile foreign takeover for Sun Metals zinc refinery threatens hundreds of jobs in Townsville, according to the Courier-Mail. Darwin has been deluged in its wettest ever September day, the NT News reports.
What’s happening today
Melbourne | Employment tribunal involving a psychologist who moved a young patient into his home and began an abusive relationship with her.
Canberra | Employment minister Murray Watt addresses the National Press Club.
New South Wales | A state government report on urgent modern slavery risks for temporary migrant workers.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
