AU Edition - Today's top story: Three years after October 7, global attention on Gaza has receded. The real test will come after Israel's election October 6, 2026 AU Edition   It’s been three years since Hamas’ brutal October 7 massacre, and the start of Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza. A US-brokered peace plan signed last year brought some relief to Gazans, but since then, Israeli attacks have continued and little progress has been made rebuilding the strip, disarming Hamas or bringing in a new Palestinian government. The world, however, has barely taken notice since the US and Israel launched a war with Iran earlier this year, writes peace scholar Eyal Mayroz. Meaningful progress towards peace in both Gaza and the West Bank will require an Israeli government willing to make hard choices, Mayroz says. Elections later this month could bring in a new government, but as he warns, it’s unlikely to lead to fundamental change in Israeli policy. International pressure on Israel may even ease if a more moderate-sounding government is elected. Without sustained international engagement, people in Gaza face an uncertain future. The real test comes after Israel’s election.   Justin Bergman International Affairs Editor   Today's newsletter supported by Black Inc Books   Three years after October 7, global attention on Gaza has receded. The real test will come after Israel’s election Eyal Mayroz, University of Sydney A small but vocal global campaign has maintained pressure on Israel, but will this hold if a less extreme government is elected? This chart tells you everything you need to know about the downturn in property prices Hal Pawson, UNSW Property prices are up 78% since 2020, so the decline to date has erased only one year of gains. And it’s made the market more affordable for first-home buyers. ‘1.5°C to stay alive’: Pacific countries demand the world makes good on climate promises Wesley Morgan, UNSW ; Liam Moore, James Cook University There’s a strong desire for this Pacific meeting to spur the global summit to action. Slow down, reminisce if it feels right: practical tips for talking to people with dementia Nikki-Anne Wilson, UNSW ; Neuroscience Research Australia The basics are the same: be respectful and don’t make assumptions. But these practical tips can make conversations more meaningful and less distressing. Psychedelic drugs were once considered ‘revolutionary rocket fuel’, but could they be life-changing medicines? Marty Branagan, University of New England An LSD trip can be sublime and life-changing; it can also be terrifying. Africa’s rhinos often get the spotlight – but Indonesia’s two rhino species are far closer to extinction Michelle Campbell-Ward, University of Sydney The latest State of the Rhino report reveals the urgent plight of the Javan and Sumatran rhino populations. How much is the European trade deal at risk over NZ’s climate commitments? Vernon Rive, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau A complaint to the European Commission over NZ’s potentially broken climate promises in the EU trade agreement looks strong. But the legal threshold is high. Politics + Society Anger, remorse, conspiracy theories: how sports fans cope when their club does wrong David Rowe, Western Sydney University After investing so much emotional energy in supporting a club, many fans struggle to manage public shame in overheated environments. Albanese’s ratings slump in Redbridge poll after interest rate hike Adrian Beaumont, The University of Melbourne In other polls, Victoria appears set for a change of government in its November state election. Business + Economy Before the budget: how Governor Phillip managed without cash in the colony Matthew Crocker, Deakin University Without coins or British currency, Phillip managed the fledgling colony with a bunch of IOUs. Environment + Energy Kauri dieback threatens more than trees: it could change how much carbon forests store Pin Jia Chan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau; Luitgard Schwendenmann, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau New research shows forests affected by severe kauri dieback can shift from accumulating carbon to losing it, with mature trees particularly affected. Breaking up NZ’s power gentailers sounds appealing. The consequences may not be Richard Meade, Griffith University Splitting up NZ’s big gentailers promises more competition and lower power bills. But the economics of separating generation and retail are more complicated. Science + Technology A magnitude 4.8 earthquake just shook southeast Victoria. Here’s why we may expect more Dee Ninis, Monash University There’s a reason why Gippsland gets so many earthquakes, compared to most of Australia. Books + Ideas An Australian novelist’s ‘masterful’ memoir taught me more about my crippling hormonal mood disorder Adele Pavlidis, Griffith University Laura Elizabeth Woollett’s Hell Days explores her diagnosis of PMDD, an extreme form of premenstrual syndrome – drawing on research, interviews, reading and more. Your Say Vanuatu successfully led a historic international legal campaign culminating in a unanimous July 2025 International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion and a May 2026 UN General Assembly resolution establishing that states have binding legal obligations to protect the climate. What stance will Australia take on this at the Tuvalu meeting? — Gary Barnes Read the article Tennessee has the death penalty, but it has failed to pass any laws to allow its residents to die with dignity, also known as voluntary assisted dying. What they have instead is INvoluntary Assisted Dying. It’s ironic that had they had the dying with dignity laws in place, maybe they would have had better access to the drugs and procedures to avoid this botched execution? — Sonja Davie, Woonona ACT Read the article How can Australia claim to be serious about tackling climate change when it continues to approve new fossil fuel projects? When will the 'mainstream media' actually confront the Labor government over this? — Anthony Criticos   We'd love to hear from you. Each day we publish an edited selection of your views on our stories. Email us     Featured Events, Courses & Jobs View all Brisbane Writers Festival 8 - 11 October 2026 • New Farm Canberra Writers Festival 15 - 18 October 2026 • The Future of Quantum 21 October 2026 • Carlton G3 G-MIRM Risk Management Systems course 20 - 23 October 2026 • Brisbane Promote your event or course   Contact us here to have your event listed. For sponsorship opportunities, email us here     You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation Tenancy B, Level 5 700 Swanston Street Carlton VIC 3053 We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and Māori as tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand.