Good morning. Donald Trump said the transition of power would be as “smooth as it can get” as he met Joe Biden at the White House but only after he had joked to Republicans about running for a third term (which is unconstitutional in the US).
We reveal how much Australian firms paid to attract bets on the US election, advocates say there should be a “national outcry” over Indigenous deaths in custody, and why the Guardian has decided it’s time to quit X.
Australia
Air task | Hobart, Darwin and Canberra are in the top 10 global cities with the lowest levels of air pollution, according to a new analysis of 400 cities which places Sydney at 150th for clean air – behind London in 90th spot.
Gambling | Australia’s big online gambling operators poured at least $240,000 into Facebook ads promoting novelty bets on the US election last week, including whether Donald Trump’s speech would mention fraud or what colour his tie would be, just weeks before the government is expected to announce its long-awaited plans to restrict wagering ads.
Detention decision | The commonwealth will argue in two high court challenges today that the constitution allows the government to detain non-citizens while their protection visa applications are processed, even if they will be released after a decision either way.
Indigenous deaths | Twenty-two Indigenous people have died in custody in 11 months, according to data collated by the Australian Institute of Criminology, with justice advocates saying deaths that should spark a “national outcry” are being met with silence.
Maternity concern | The peak body for obstetricians and gynaecologists will hold a roundtable today on the future of private maternity care as Australian women face increasingly limited choices.
World
Flood fears | Authorities in eastern and southern Spain have closed schools and begun evacuating some residents as the country is pounded by further torrential rains two weeks after the catastrophic floods that killed at least 215 people. Many have blamed climate change but international unity at the latest climate summit in Azerbaijan is creaking after Argentina withdrew its negotiators.
‘A nice world’ | In a few low-key remarks heard by reporters at the White House, Donald Trump said politics was “tough” but that it was a “nice world today” as he met Joe Biden for talks about what they both hoped would be a “smooth” transition of power. The Project 2025 chief kicked the Guardian’s reporter out of a book launch in New York, the outgoing chief of the Food and Drug Administration warns of “sweeping” policy changes under Trump, and we explain whether Trump could really fire Kevin Rudd. Follow everything at our live blog.
Crimea bombing | A senior Russian naval officer has been killed in a car bombing in Crimea, the latest in a series of attacks on Russian military personnel and pro-Kremlin figures in occupied Ukrainian territories as well as inside Russia.
Guardian exits X | The Guardian has announced it will no longer post content on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, from its official accounts due to concerns about the site’s “often disturbing content”.
‘Modest maestro’ | The British actor Timothy West, whose career ranged from the stage to film and TV appearances (including with his wife, Prunella Scales), has died aged 90. Our critic says he will be remembered as a “modest maestro”.
Full Story
Inside the secretive world of Aldi
After a parliamentary hearing exposed some of Aldi’s inner workings this week, our business reporter Jonathan Barrett tells Nour Haydar how the German supermarket makes $12bn in annual revenue and why it rejects online shopping.
In-depth
Australia’s push for high-speed rail is ignoring expert advice and parliamentary findings, according to a former MP who chaired the inquiries, warning planners are pursuing expensive station locations where recouping costs will be so difficult it could derail the project. In an interview with our transport reporter, Elias Visontay, John Alexander pleads with the High Speed Rail Authority to place stations outside the Sydney and Gosford CBDs in order to maximise land value capture and secure funding of the scheme.
Not the news
The comedian Lucille MacKellar has picked her 10 funniest things on the internet, and her choices include Azealia Banks, Tokyo Toni and Halsey.
Sport
World Cup 2026 | Australia have some momentum going into tonight’s qualifier against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne but face familiar foes looking to launch their own revival.
Tennis | Carlos Alcaraz, sporting a nasal band after complaining of feeling under the weather, dispatched Andrey Rublev in impressive fashion to revive his ATP Finals hopes in Turin overnight.
Rugby union | Warren Gatland has admitted he “didn’t think there would be so much pain” in rebuilding the Wales team that has lost its last 10 Tests and face in-form Australia in the early hours of Monday AEST.
Media roundup
The Australian claims that higher public-sector pay rises are keeping inflation high and making rate cuts less likely. Victorian voters are “lukewarm” about Jacinta Allan’s drive for greater housing density, according to a poll in the Age. Housing is also a big story in Sydney with the Telegraph reporting that 5,000 car parking spaces will be lost at Olympic Park to make way for 25,000 new homes. Another fatality on the Bruce Highway takes the total to 22 this year, the Courier Mail reports, already nine more than 2023.
What’s happening today
Economy | The Reserve Bank governor, Michele Bullock, joins a panel discussion at the Asic annual forum in Sydney while jobs figures are due at 11.30am.
Queensland | Parliamentary inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia.
Courts | High court ruling on immigration detainees case which could potentially see more people released.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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