Morning everyone. It’s here at last – election day in one of the most extraordinary US presidential elections in recent memory. Voters are at the polls right now, and results will soon start to come in. We have you covered for all the news and analysis you need.
In other news, a media “hysteria” cost Shane Drumgold his “dream job” and prompted a long legal battle, the former ACT prosecutor says. We have the full story, plus how workers have lost out on a record $5.2bn of superannuation last year, and the political calculus of interest rates.
Australia
‘Sexist, racist’ radio | Australia’s communications regulator has come under fire for failing to investigate “revolting” material aired on the Kyle & Jackie O show, including “sexist, racist, [and] misogynistic” content.
‘Terribly wrong’ | The ACT’s former director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, believes “something went terribly wrong” with the Sofronoff report into Bruce Lehrmann’s prosecution, which resulted in Drumgold losing his “dream job”, a court battle over its findings and a subsequent integrity commission investigation. He says media “hysteria” over the case fuelled a mob mentality against him but he will return to work at the NSW bar.
Lost super | Australian workers missed out on a record $5.2bn of superannuation that employers failed to pay last financial year, according to the Australian Taxation Office.
‘Callous’ carer | An aged care nurse who slammed a dementia patient’s therapy doll on a table and laughed at the distressed patient who believed it was a real baby has been found to have been “callous and deplorable”.
Tuned out | Nine’s 2GB radio host Ben Fordham has pulled out of a Liberal fundraiser in Kirribilli, saying he did not realise the event was raising money for the party when he accepted the invitation to speak.
World
The final countdown | Donald Trump has cast his ballot in Florida and says he is confident of winning the US presidency, while Kamala Harris’s running mate Tim Walz says the race is on a “razor edge”. Follow all the developments live as the drama unfolds today. Our Washington bureau chief David Smith reckons it’s been a campaign like no other which could affect America for half a century. Pennsylvanians talk about the “scary” pressure of voting in such a crucial state, but we do know the first result of the night – a three-all tie between Harris and Trump in a tiny new Hampshire community which likes to vote at midnight. All this and Beyoncé has cosplayed as Pamela Anderson in an election day video. We should start to hear some early numbers from about 10am AEST – here’s our full guide for watching from Australia.
Exclusive | China is blocking requests to rebuild the British embassy in Beijing while the fate of its controversial mega-embassy in east London is being decided.
Gallant fired | Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired his defence minister Yoav Gallant, saying there have been too many gaps between him and Gallant over the management of Israel’s wars. Follow developments live.
Ireland poll | The Irish prime minister, Simon Harris, has said he plans to call a general election this week, paving the way for a polling date likely to be at the end of this month.
Against the grain | The world’s first wooden satellite has been launched into space as part of study on using timber to help reduce the creation of space junk.
Full Story
Your guide to US election day
Guardian Australia reporter and live blogger Helen Sullivan tells Nour Haydar how she plans to navigate the US election results – and what to look out for as the count begins.
In-depth
The Reserve Bank’s caution about interest rates is becoming one of the biggest obstacles to Anthony Albanese winning a second term next year. Labor needs a cut by March at the latest, our political editor writes today, or his election chances will be much diminished. And, in another slightly inconvenient message, the RBA governor, Michele Bullock, is telling politicians they can maybe have a rate cut but need to keep election promises in check.
Not the news
With rainbow flags and ant-fascist slogans all over St Pauli’s home ground, it’s obvious Socceroos midfielder Jackson Irvine feels at home at the club known for their radical fanbase. But he faces his biggest Bundesliga game yet as the mighty Bayern Munich visit the Hamburg club this weekend. Joey Lynch chatted with him about playing on the biggest stage, how he’s improved, and the playlist for his local radio sets.
Sport
Racing | The Melbourne Cup could not have written a better script to revive waning excitement in the race than the one that saw one-time Voice contestant Robbie Dolan come home on rank outsider Knight’s Choice.
Tennis | Novak Djokovic has announced his withdrawal from ATP Finals starting in Turin this weekend although Alex de Minaur makes his debut.
Football | The Champions League fires up again this morning with the pick of the ties surely the farewell game with Sporting Lisbon for Manchester United boss-elect Rúben Amorim against Manchester City, while Liverpool host Leverkusen and Real Madrid play Milan.
Rugby union | England coach Steve Borthwick has named the same team to face Australia on Saturday as lost narrowly to the All Blacks, while former England player Danny Care says playing under Eddie Jones was “like living in a dictatorship”.
Media roundup
The Age describes how an unknown jockey pulled off one of the “greatest rides in Melbourne Cup history”, and the Herald Sun goes big on the Birdcage fashion stakes. Northern Territory’s new CLP government has scrapped plans to storm-proof Darwin’s power lines by burying them underground, NT News reports.
What’s happening today
New South Wales | Coronial hearing continues into the disappearance of William Tyrrell.
Courts | Justice Wendy Abraham gives her decision on whether Bruce Lehrmann can appeal over his failed defamation suit against Ten.
Canberra | Caritas Australia to launch report on women’s humanitarian leadership.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
