Good afternoon. Donald Trump has recruited Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, to make dramatic cuts to the US public service, announcing the establishment of a so-called Department of Government Efficiency (or Doge, an apparent reference to Musk’s favourite meme-turned-cryptocurrency). Doge’s remit is to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies”.
Joining Musk in leading the body is Vivek Ramaswamy, a wealthy biotech entrepreneur and former Republican candidate. Neither Musk nor Ramaswamy have government experience, but have both pushed for large-scale cost-cutting in the corporate sector. Despite the name, the so-called “department” will not in fact be a government agency, meaning Musk and Ramaswamy will not be bound by financial disclosure or conflict of interest laws as public servants.
Meanwhile, Trump has made a number of other appointments, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defence secretary, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem as head of homeland security, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the next US ambassador to Israel. Huckabee has a track record of hardline pro-Israel rhetoric, including saying Israel had a rightful claim to annex the West Bank.
Here in Australia, speculation about Kevin Rudd’s future as ambassador to Washington continues after a senior Trump adviser suggested the former prime minister’s time could be up by reposting Rudd’s congratulatory statement to Trump with a gif of an hourglass.
Top news
High court overturns church liability verdict | The Catholic church has won a landmark case overturning a 2023 decision that found the church vicariously responsible for the abuse of children by priests not under its direct employment. Lawyers warned the decision could have “far-reaching” consequences for survivors.
Concerns over fringe startup’s bid for regional TV network | Southern Cross Austereo confirmed it received an offer from rightwing streaming channel ADH TV to buy its 93 regional free-to-air TV stations, a move one expert warned would put the diversity of local news at risk.
Wages continue to outpace inflation | Australians’ wages have increased faster than inflation for a fourth quarter in a row, with the ABS confirming the wage price index rose at an annual rate of 3.5% in the September quarter, bringing some relief to households battling cost-of-living pressures.
Suspected vote-tampering in Melbourne council elections | The Victorian Electoral Commission said it had referred allegations to police after it detected a high number of multiple returned postal votes in Knox and Whittlesea councils after voting closed in local government elections last month.
Clare Nowland ‘unable to comply with instructions’, court told | The 95-year-old nursing home resident tasered by a police officer had dementia and was “unable to understand what was happening to her”, a geriatrician told the New South Wales supreme court.
Police to charge man over alleged carjacking and siege | A 26-year-old Victorian man is in hospital and expected to be charged after he allegedly carjacked a 70-year-old woman on Tuesday, before breaking into a Melbourne home and holding a father and his toddler inside in an hours-long siege.
Volcano causes Bali flight cancellations | Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar have cancelled flights to and from Bali after the nearby Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano erupted, spewing an ash column 9km high and killing nine people living in surrounding villages.
Israel accused of ignoring Gaza ultimatum | A coalition of international aid organisations have accused Israel of ignoring a US ultimatum threatening sanctions if it did not improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying almost none of its demands have been met as the deadline nears.
Spanish police allegedly find €20m in ex-fraud chief’s walls | Óscar Sánchez Gil, until recently the head of anti-money laundering for Spain’s national police force, was arrested after the cash was allegedly found hidden in his house as part of an investigation into the country’s largest-ever cocaine bust.
In pictures
Steph Wilson wins Taylor Wessing photography prize with striking portrait
British photographer Steph Wilson has taken out one of the world’s most prestigious photography prizes for her portrait Sonam. Judges labelled the photograph, part of a series focusing on atypical mothers, as a portrait of balance, which broadened conversations on pregnancy and parenthood.
What they said …
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“We were told that we weren’t allowed to swear in our speech, so there goes my speech. It was just one swear word 150 times.” – Samantha Harvey
Orbital by Samantha Harvey, a tale of six fictional astronauts on the International Space Station, has won the 2024 Booker prize. The “beautiful and ambitious” 136-page novel was chosen unanimously by the judging panel, the second-shortest book to win the prize in its history.
In numbers
2024 is on track to set another new record for global carbon emissions, with new data showing “no sign” of the global transition away from burning fossil fuels agreed at last year’s Cop summit. Emissions would have to fall 43% by 2030 to have any chance of keeping global heating to 1.5C and limiting “increasingly dramatic” climate impacts around the globe.
Before bed read
The ‘real’ food critics? Australian chefs on the toughest restaurant reviewers of all
It’s an honour to be well reviewed by a professional. But for these restaurateurs and chefs, the ultimate verdict comes from the harshest diners: migrant elders.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: NETS . You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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