Israel expands Gaza offensive, how to fix childcare, Epstein files to remain sealed

Flood warning | People in New South Wales have been warned to “stay ready and stay safe” as another bout of intense rainfall hits the state, bringing possible floods.

Doctor’s call | High-profile emergency physician Dr Stephen Parnis has stepped down as chair of the board of a leading medical insurance provider in an apparent response to concerns about statements he has made on social media opposing the war in Gaza.

Childcare crunch | As the education minister, Jason Clare, prepares to meet his state counterparts today to discuss reforms to the childcare sector, Kate Lyons traces how – despite review after review making recommendations to the government – little has been done to create a proper national system of regulation.

Netanyahu ‘inflammatory’ | Australia’s peak Jewish group has lambasted Benjamin Netanyahu for his attack on Anthony Albanese as “inflammatory and provocative”, adding that it showed a “woeful lack of understanding of social and political conditions in Australia”. Emmanuel Macron has described as “abject” Netanyahu’s claims of an antisemitic surge in France.

Winter’s over | Tasmanian Labor has replaced Dean Winter as parliamentary leader, with Josh Willie elected unopposed to serve as the state’s new opposition leader after a failed bid to unseat the premier, Jeremy Rockliff.

Epstein ruling | A federal judge in New York who presided over the sex-trafficking case against the late financier Jeffrey Epstein has rejected the government’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts.

Israel offensive | Israel has announced it is expanding its military operation in Gaza City as Benjamin Netanyahu said the aim was to speed up the timetable “for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas”. In the UK, a court heard that the terror charge brought against the Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh for flying the Hezbollah flag should be thrown out.

Moscow red line | Moscow has said it must be part of any international talks on Ukraine’s security as Russia continues to stall on Donald Trump’s push for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. We’re looking at what it all means for the prospects of peace in Ukraine.

Online death | French authorities are investigating the death of a man during a live video stream on the Kick platform, where he had regularly been shown enduring violence and humiliation.

Lai trial | A lawyer for Jimmy Lai has argued that it is not wrong to support freedom of expression as he began his final argument in the Hong Kong democracy activist and newspaper founder’s landmark national security trial.

Tennis | On the eve of her final tournament, double Wimbledon champion and Australian Open finalist Petra Kvitova