Morning, everyone. Who would be a pollster? Despite widespread predictions of a Republican “red wave” sweeping across the US in the midterm elections, it’s turning out to be more like a ripple. Results are still coming in but at this stage, although the House of Representatives looks like passing to the Republicans, the Senate may stay Democratic in a major boost for the remainder of President Joe Biden’s term. And it’s bad news for Donald Trump – the defeat of several high-profile, election-denying Republicans casts significant doubts over his political brand. Even his favourite channel, Fox News, dared to report he was the “biggest loser”.
In Australia almost 90% of people want the government to help with energy bills, and a huge swathe of prime koala habitat in NSW will be saved after being bought by wealthy conservationists.
Australia
Energy push | Almost nine out of 10 Australians back some form of government intervention in the energy sector to bring down prices, with a new poll finding support for limits on exports and a super profits tax on gas companies.
Ancestors return | The remains of 18 Indigenous people have been returned to Australia by two British museums amid a painstaking effort to recover thousands of ancestors stolen from their traditional lands.
Dramatic scenes | Streaming services have outspent the free-to-air TV channels on making new Australian drama, for the first time – and by a lot.
Koala gift | Two Sydney philanthropists, Andrew and Jane Clifford, have bought almost 4,000 hectares of koala habitat in the Hunter region of NSW to protect it from development.
Robodebt ‘shame’ | A former senior government official who was given damning legal advice the robodebt scheme was unlawful has told a royal commission she lacked the “courage” to speak up and was now “ashamed”.
‘Meet Daniel’ | The Victorian Liberal deputy leader, David Southwick, has used his campaign manager and a part-time staffer in campaign ads to attract young voters – without declaring that they work for him.
World
‘Interesting night’ | A subdued Donald Trump was left with little to boast about after the US midterms saw some of his most ardent supporters defeated, amid a stronger-than-expected Democratic showing in key battlegrounds including Pennsylvania. One Trumpist who did win was the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, but his landslide is actually problem for the former president as his protege now seems to have more momentum for a 2024 presidential run. Read our sharp analysis, the five key takeaways from the night, and keep up to date with our results tracker and live blog.
Kherson victory | Russian troops are leaving the Ukraine city of Kherson, the only regional capital captured by Moscow since the invasion began in February, in a significant blow to Vladimir Putin.
Meta cuts | Facebook’s parent company is cutting 11,000 jobs, more than one in eight staff, after a disastrous collapse in revenue left it overstaffed and “inefficient”.
Cop27 hope | Positive moves by the UK, Austria and New Zealand on climate finance have given hope that momentum could be starting to build on a pivotal issue at the UN summit in Egypt. Read all our coverage here.
Royal bid | The grandson of Italy’s last king is seeking to take control of a historic Naples football club – Savoia – to “keep it away” from the mafia.
Full Story
The radical plan to move a country
As nations gather at Cop27 to discuss the climate crisis, the Guardian’s Pacific editor, Kate Lyons, reports from Fiji about plans to relocate entire villages threatened by rising seas.
In-depth
The pausing of the plastic bag recycling program run by Coles and Woolworths has left thousands of Australians wondering what to do with their spare bags. Natasha May explains what’s going on.
Not the news
It is 50 years since the Indigenous activists in Redfern got together to form the National Black Theatre. To mark the anniversary, the Carriageworks in Sydney is hosting a one-off event to celebrate its defiant legacy.
The world of sport
T20 World Cup | Pakistan produced a brilliant performance to cruise past New Zealand into the T20 World Cup final at an exuberant Sydney Cricket Ground last night. They will face either England or India who play in Adelaide tonight.
AFLW finals | Anger over the choice of small venues is overshadowing the promise of two excellent AFLW elimination finals this weekend between Richmond and Norths, and Adelaide and Collingwood.
Tennis | Novak Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, has said there was nothing “dodgy” about a drink the star had at the Paris Masters last week, despite a video of it being prepared going viral.
Media roundup
The Australian reports that the Medibank boss was contacted directly with an extortion threat from hackers. The ABC website reports that Bill Shorten has “read the riot act” to NDIS rorters, telling them “get off my scheme”. The Sydney Morning Herald says the death of a two-year-old boy in a dog attack in Cowra has sparked a fresh debate about the need for tighter restrictions. The Age reports that a fire at warehouse prompted the supermarket plastic bag recycling scheme to be put on hold. The Adelaide Advertiser reports that South Australia’s premier is resisting calls to sack his child protection boss after it emerged that hundreds of children were living in high-risk situations.
What’s happening today
Bad call | Optus faces allegations from the competition watchdog that it misled consumers over some 50Mbps and 100Mbps NBN plans.
Dawson sentencing | Chris Dawson, the former Sydney teacher found guilty of murdering his wife Lynette in 1982 is due to be sentenced today.
Miner’s meeting | BHP’s annual general meeting takes place in Perth.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
