Online Networks Gamify Violence, Global Conflicts Escalate, UK Welcomes New PM

Today we reveal how organised online networks are “gamifying” violence and encouraging self-harm, targeting children in games including Roblox and Minecraft. With cases before the courts in Australia and around the world, experts want parents to know the warning signs.

We’re also reporting on how Seven pitched a Spotlight show about “uncontrolled immigration” to Pauline Hanson, Iran says it is in “full-scale war” with the US again, and Andy Burnham promises to be the UK “circuit-breaker” as he moves into No 10 and picks his new cabinet.

Australia

Hanson ‘pitch’ | A Seven producer urged Pauline Hanson to travel to Britain to meet Nigel Farage and film a Spotlight special highlighting so-called “uncontrolled immigration”, according to a pitch posted to social media by the One Nation leader.

Tax system ‘rigged’ | A new tax rate for the highest income earners, introducing wealth and inheritance taxes and extracting more revenue from gas companies form part of a new leftwing manifesto circulating before the Labor party’s national conference.

‘One in 15 million’ | A 34-year-old woman from Brisbane has defied the odds and delivered naturally conceived, identical quadruplets in what is believed to be an Australian first.

Exclusive | Australian researchers have found that antibiotic resistance – when bacteria are no longer killed by antimicrobial medicines – has increased in every region of the world.

Down slope | Alpine ski resorts in New South Wales and Victoria saw climate records shattered on the weekend with maximum temperatures up to 12C above average.

World

‘Circuit-breaker’ | After entering 10 Downing Street as Britain’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham promised a “circuit-breaker” moment for the country, to restore hope to millions of people. His first pledge as prime minister was to end rough sleeping – here are six key takeaways from his speech.

‘Full-scale war’ | Iran’s president says the country is in a “full-scale war” after the US expanded its aerial campaign and Tehran struck Washington’s Gulf allies, even as diplomats said talks to de-escalate were continuing.

India | Tens of thousands of “cockroach” protesters have defied police orders and descended on Delhi to demand the resignation of India’s education minister in one of the largest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Ukraine rifts | Ukraine’s commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, is widely expected to lose his job amid signs that Volodymyr Zelenskyy has bowed to pressure from protesters and will reshuffle the army’s top leadership.

Maine man | Troy Jackson – a former president of the Maine Senate – is now poised to become the Democratic nominee in the state’s US Senate race after the party’s previous nominee, Graham Platner, abruptly ended his campaign.

Full Story

How is online rage shaping our politics?

Ed Coper, a political adviser and communications consultant who has studied online discourse, talks to Reged Ahmad about his new book, Angertainment: How Social Media Outrage Ruined Everything.

In-depth

In June, a Swedish teenager went on trial for dozens of offences – including allegedly encouraging someone to self-harm and the creation of child sexual abuse material – with alleged victims around the world, including in Australia.

Guardian Australia has tracked this case, which is one of many before the courts in Sweden, the United States, Australia and around the world, to understand the spread of online networks that engage in sadistic sexual and violent extortion. This evolving and borderless online ecosystem is prompting growing concern from authorities, who warn that grooming and extortion can turn victims into perpetrators.

“These are young people recruiting other young people,” one expert said. “It is a youth phenomenon.”

Not the news

In the latest iteration of our series about jobs that changed people’s lives, Rebecca Lowrey Boyd recalls how working in a photo shop gave her a working knowledge of photo chemistry, a comprehensive understanding of local penises and that the most ordinary jobs can be where you learn how to really look at people.

Sport

World Cup | Nearly 2 million Spaniards took to the streets to welcome the triumphant national team home. Jonathan Wilson pays tribute to Rodri, Spain’s midfield maestro who was player of the tournament. Spain’s media has hailed the country’s World Cup triumph as a “unique collective experience”, while the Argentinian press ignored the outrage over their team’s antics and said they were “beyond reproach”.

Golf | Bryson DeChambeau has been accused of threatening to call Donald Trump during a row with senior R&A officials on Friday after the American golfer was handed a two-shot penalty at the Open.

Football | Kevin Keegan, the former England captain and manager, has died aged 75. He was one of England’s greatest ever players but is also remembered for his rollercoaster reign as Newcastle manager.

Media roundup

Chris Bowen has set aside up to $4.2m of taxpayers’ money to secure accommodation for foreign bureaucrats in Fiji as part of his Cop president mission, according to the Australian. Qantas and Virgin are selling discounted flights to the Middle East despite the continuing conflict, the Telegraph reports.

What’s happening today

Courts | Former bishop of Broome on trial in Perth for alleged sexual offences in Aboriginal communities.

Resources | Federal court case over approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf expansion begins.

Media | Reuters’ editor-in-chief, Alessandra Galloni, to deliver Andrew Olle media lecture.