Morning, everyone. The Albanese government will reveal today that proposed online safety legislation will let teens keep using social media platforms that show improved safety measures. Bank mortgage rates are starting to fall along in anticipation of an official rate cut, and we have a special report into the troubling issue of coercive control.
Plus, Florida is counting the cost of Hurricane Milton and Israel has launched new deadly airstrikes on central Beirut. In sport the Socceroos claim a vital win and Roger Federer leads tributes as Rafael Nadal retires.
Australia
Loans lowered | Lenders have started lowering their mortgage rates en masse amid expectations of future interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank – moves that could tempt borrowers to restructure their home loans.
‘Low risk of harm’ | Social media companies could escape the Albanese government’s proposed age ban if they can demonstrate a “low risk of harm to children”, the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, has said.
Protest denial | The head of the NSW police union has denied any suggestion that patrolling weekly pro-Palestine protests is making it difficult to respond to or investigate crime across the state.
Shine on | After calls for a ban on glitter for environmental reasons, Australian-led research has found a shimmery cellulose substitute that could be safer for soil.
Walkley hopefuls | Guardian Australia has picked up eight nominations in the 69th annual Walkley awards for excellence in journalism, and dominated the category for digital media innovation.
World
Milton toll | The death toll from Hurricane Milton rose to at least 10 as Florida continued to assess the damage from the category-three storm that caused extensive property damage across the state and left more than 3.4m homes and businesses without power. Check out our visual explainer of the damage and updates in the live blog. The hurricane has also spawned conspiracy theories driven by Russian bots and some Republicans.
Middle East | At least 18 people were killed and scores wounded in Israeli airstrikes on central Beirut this morning. Follow our live blog for the latest news. The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said Israeli forces had deliberately fired on its positions, injuring two peacekeepers. And the director of the only major hospital in the Gaza Strip has described a “catastrophic situation” as Israel launched new ground assaults in the territory.
Kennedy widow dies | Joe Biden has paid tribute to Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F Kennedy and social justice activist, who has died aged 96.
Kim’s game | North Korean military engineers have been deployed to help Russia target Ukraine with ballistic missiles, and North Koreans operating in occupied areas of Ukraine have been killed, senior officials in Kyiv and Seoul said.
‘Poetic prose’ | The Nobel prize for literature has been awarded to the 53-year-old South Korean novelist Han Kang for her “intense poetic prose”.
Full Story
Have Labor’s ‘nature-positive’ plans turned negative?
Guardian Australia’s climate and environment editor, Adam Morton, talks to Reged Ahmad about whether Labor has failed to deliver on its environment promises.
In-depth
After suffering sexual, physical, psychological and financial abuse at the hands of her ex-husband for nearly two decades, Alicia has learned to be a record-keeper. She has complied an 83-page dossier on her abuse and has submitted it to police more than once. The problem is, she tells Kate Lyons, they won’t take the problem of coercive control seriously until “there’s a dead body”. Kate’s special report comes as a new law in NSW means people charged with serious domestic violence offences will wear ankle bracelets and have their movements tracked around the clock if they are granted bail.
Not the news
When Custard disbanded in 2000 after making five albums, it seemed unlikely that David McCormack’s voicing of a cartoon dog one day bring new audiences. But that’s just what has happened. Releasing a new album, Suburban Curtains, they met Andrew Stafford to discuss a strange twist of fate.
The world of sport
Tennis | Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with 24 grand slams including two Australian Opens, has announced he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the year. Roger Federer, whom Nadal considered to be his greatest rival, led tributes from all over the world.
Football | Australia’s World Cup dream is alive after a come-from-behind 3-1 win over China in Adelaide last night thanks to goals from Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin and Nishan Velupillay.
Cricket | Harry Brook hit 317 and Joe Root a mere 262 as England amassed 823-7 in the first Test against Pakistan before reducing the hosts to 152-6 as they closed in on a remarkable victory.
Media roundup
The state and federal governments are embroiled in a blame game over the decision to stall a goldmine development in central NSW, a Daily Telegraph exclusive says. Schools in South Australia will launch a program to tackle cyberbullying, body image, mental health and wellbeing, the Advertiser reports. Calls for more nightspots in Burleigh are dividing candidates in the upcoming Queensland election, the Gold Coast Bulletin says. The Demons’ star Clayton Oliver would take a pay cut to make his dream of playing for Geelong come true, the Age says.
What’s happening today
NSW | Students at Western Sydney University will hold a rally at Parramatta South campus to complain about police efforts to limit protests.
Brisbane | The “Donkey Kong” defamation lawsuit will resume in a case brought by a US video game champion against a Queensland YouTube creator.
Transport | The parliamentary inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles continues in Canberra.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
