Good morning. Predatory rent-to-buy lenders will be banned from the Centrepay debit service as part of extensive reforms being revealed by the government today after an urgent review sparked by Guardian Australia’s investigations into shocking failures within the system.
Sex work in Victoria is legally treated like any other business – including working from home provisions. So why are those in the industry still facing discrimination?
Meanwhile, Russian airstrikes have struck Aleppo and Idlib as Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad looks to his allies for support while opposition forces continue to make gains.
Australia
‘I have done nothing wrong’ | Sex work has been fully decriminalised in Victoria, meaning it is legally treated like any other business – but advocates say the changes aren’t widely known or understood in the community.
Centrepay | The government is to boot predatory rent-to-buy operators off its Centrepay debit system as part of sweeping reforms designed to stop the financial abuse of vulnerable Australians.
Exclusive | Fake celebrity investment scams may soon be harder to push on Facebook and Instagram in Australia, with Meta introducing a requirement that financial advertisers are verified.
Running out of puff? | Housing prices have increased for the 22nd month in a row but the market appears to be losing steam after its weakest result since the run of consecutive monthly growth began.
Cruise ships | Environmentalists and tourism operators on the Great Barrier Reef say authorities must enforce stricter pollution standards on cruise liners visiting the world heritage area.
World
Syrian conflict | Syrian and Russian airstrikes have hit Aleppo and Idlib after insurgents advanced; there are fears about reprisals from Damascus and Islamist rule in Aleppo; hundreds are thought to have been killed since the launch of the Syrian rebel offensive.
Presenter accused | The BBC presenter Gregg Wallace of MasterChef fame has dismissed his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age” as it emerges the broadcaster received multiple complaints about inappropriate behaviour.
US politics | Donald Trump’s threat of 100% tariffs against Brics nations raises trade war fears; US anti-vaxxers are rejoicing about Trump’s pick to lead the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Georgia protests | A third night of demonstrations in the Georgian capital against the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the EU left at least 44 people in hospital.
Irish elections | The Green party in Ireland is facing a virtual wipeout with its leader admitting it was entering a period of “rebuild” after a general election rout in all but one of its seats.
Full Story
What’s going on with fluoride?
The conversation about fluoride’s health benefits has exploded after a US federal toxicology report, court ruling and independent scientific review all called for updated risk-benefit analysis. Ian Sample hears from Catherine Carstairs, professor of history at the University of Guelph in Canada, about how attitudes to fluoridation have evolved, and Oliver Jones, professor of chemistry at RMIT University, Melbourne, about where the science stands today.
In-depth
More than a million kilometres of cables snake along the world’s ocean floor, ferrying data between distant lands. Fibre-optic filaments whisk emails, Netflix and military secrets through deep water, where the cord – about as thick as a garden hose – gathers barnacles and seaweed. They’re vulnerable to sabotage and accidents, and (very occasionally) sharks. Experts say Australia’s cables are not immune from these threats – but how worried should we be?
Not the news
In the latest instalment of our series about spirituality and how it can be used to navigate everyday life, Ali Hammoud looks to the profound poetry of Rumi and explores how the 13th-century poet’s resolution to articulate his grief is a reminder to us of the power of literature – particularly in our most trying times.
Sport
Football | Dominant Liverpool sink Manchester City to land a major blow in the Premier League title race; the brave Matildas defeated 1-2 by Brazil in a thrilling women’s international; Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee double up as Manchester United crush Everton.
Motorsport | Australian Oscar Piastri claims a podium spot as Max Verstappen wins the F1 Qatar Grand Prix amid puncture chaos.
Cricket | England’s Ben Stokes says he is “raring to go” for the second Test in New Zealand despite injury concerns; Australian Hall of Fame hero Ian Redpath dies age 83.
Media roundup
An investigation into medical misogyny has laid bare how women’s pain is often dismissed or misdiagnosed in Australia’s healthcare system, the Age reports. The NSW child protection system has been left open to questionable financial dealings by non-government providers, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Tasmanian scientists are aiming to unlock the gene secrets of motor neurone disease, the Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Cyber Monday | The online extension of Black Friday sales is expected to drive a surge in retail activity.
ACT | A public hearing in the inquiry into the provisions of the criminal code amendment (hate crimes) bill 2024 is being held in Canberra.
NSW | Budget estimates hearings on education and health are scheduled at the NSW parliament.
ABS | The latest building approvals and retail trade figures are due to be released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Sign up
If you would like to receive this Morning Mail update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or finish your day with our Afternoon Update newsletter. And check out the full list of our local and international newsletters, including The Stakes, your guide to the twists and turns of the US presidential election.
Prefer notifications? If you’re reading this in our app, just click here and tap “Notifications” on the next screen for an instant alert when we publish every morning.
Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
