Morning, everyone. The Democrats have lost the presidency but they’re determined not going to be sore losers. Joe Biden told the American people overnight that there would be a peaceful handover of power (unlike last time, folks), and said it was time to “bring down the temperature”. We have news and analysis on the latest from the US, including the triumph of the “manosphere” and 10 reasons the Democrats lost. And this just in – Trump can add Vladimir Putin to the list of world leaders sending their congratulations.
At home Optus has copped a big fine, the national architecture awards have been handed down, and the ABC celebrates 50 years of Countdown.
Australia
Power point | Mildura’s old power station – converted into an event space – was one of the big winners at the Australian Institute of Architects’ national awards last night when it took our prizes for sustainability and urban design.
Optus fine | The telco has paid a $12m fine over its mobile network outage last year that resulted in more than 2,000 people being unable to make triple zero calls.
Fighting talk | The prime minister who vowed before the last election to foster a “kinder, gentler parliament” has now hailed Australia’s rowdy, robust and combative style of political debate as proof of a functioning democracy, warning that “only dictatorships pretend to be perfect”.
Frog call | Australians are being encouraged to use a smartphone app to collect recordings of frogs next week to provide a snapshot of how the amphibians – one in five species of which are at risk – are faring.
Taking root | We’ve had street libraries for a long time, enabling locals to exchange books. But now plant libraries are taking root in city neighbourhoods, as Sarah Ayoub discovers.
World
‘Bring it down’ | Joe Biden has promised to ensure a peaceful transition of power to Donald Trump in an address to the nation from the White House lawn overnight in which he also urged Americans to “bring down the temperature” of the political discourse. Follow the latest live. The wealth of the 10 richest people in the world – mainly US tech billionaires – increased by a record amount after Trump’s victory. We also look at the 10 policies where Democrats had no answer to the Republicans.
Ukraine call | Hours after Russia launched a huge, eight-hour drone attack on Kyiv, European leaders gathering for a summit in Budapest are have urged Donald Trump to support Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Coalition collapse | Germany’s unpopular three-party coalition collapsed after Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister, paving the way for a possible general election in March.
California blaze | Hundreds of firefighters in California are battling a fast-moving blaze that erupted on Wednesday, and has grown to more than 14,000 acres (5,665 hectares), prompting evacuations.
Monkey business | Forty monkeys are on the loose in South Carolina after escaping from a research facility.
Full Story
Newsroom edition: what Trump 2.0 may mean for the future of Australian politics
Bridie Jabour talks to Guardian Australia’s editor-in-chief, Lenore Taylor, head of newsroom, Mike Ticher, and national news editor, Josephine Tovey, about how Trump won and how the media will cover his presidency.
In-depth
In many ways, the triumph of Donald Trump can be seen as the triumph of a strident ultra-masculinity personified by the No 1 podcaster in the US, Joe Rogan. He is seen as being key to swinging large numbers of young men behind Trump, allied to the lobbying of Elon Musk and others who believe that men in power should be “mentally, physically, and emotionally tough”. The Christian right are also cockahoop after their prophecies of a Trump victory came true. In the UK, Nigel Farage is hoping to use Trump’s win to drive support for his rightwing, anti-immigrant Reform party.
Not the news
It was 50 years ago today that ABC screened the first episode of Countdown, at a stroke transforming the world of Australian teenagers by bringing global acts including Elton John, Madonna and Abba to their screens. Over two shows, Countdown 50 Years On will celebrate the show’s history, featuring luminaries from golden-era mainstays Daryl Braithwaite and the Eurogliders to Regurgitator and Katy Steele.
Sport
Rugby union | Less than a month after switching rugby codes, Joseph Sua’ali’i will make his debut for Australia after being picked at outside centre to start Saturday’s Test against England at Twickenham.
Cricket | Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney’s soft dismissal against India A at the MCG yesterday has given the veteran Marcus Harris the equivalent of a half-volley outside off stump in the great Australian bat-off.
Football | The Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has not been named in France’s squad to face Israel and Italy, with the head coach, Didier Deschamps, saying it was a “one-off decision”. There’s Europa League action this morning with Ange Postecoglu taking his Spurs team to Turkey to take on Galatasaray.
Media roundup
The departure of Ray Hadley from Nine’s 2GB radio next month will leave a huge ratings hole for the company to fill, an analysis piece in the Sydney Morning Herald says. The cricket legend Ian Botham survived a close call with a crocodile thanks to quick thinking by Merv Hughes on a fishing trip in Darwin, the Herald Sun reports. The Courier-Mail carries claims by the new Queensland government that there’s an $180m cost blowout on Olympic venues before a builder has even been appointed.
What’s happening today
Victoria | A man found guilty of performing the Nazi salute will be sentenced at Melbourne magistrates court.
NSW | There will be a committal mention for a woman charged with the murder of her two sons in the Blue Mountains.
Sydney | The inquest into the death of Michelle Mitchell, who was allegedly murdered by her husband in Inverell in 2021, will hand down its findings.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
