ABC News Top Stories

Polls have now closed in several states in the US midterm elections and there are big swings to the Democrats as expected.

Democrats have won Georgia's Senate race, and they're hoping to take both houses of Congress which would dramatically impinge Donald Trump's presidency.

Uber will have to fork out more than $80 million into New South Wales coffers after the High Court determined the rideshare company owed payroll tax in the state.

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Canva's one of Australia's most celebrated tech success stories.

But it's announced it's cutting more than 1,200 jobs, or about 22 per cent of its global workforce.

Experts say it's not an isolated case as AI reshapes the tech industry.

Prominent Australian software company Canva has announced a major restructure following stiff competition from AI.

Polls will soon start closing in the US midterm elections and it will then become clear if the predicted drubbing of Donald Trump's Republican party will materialise.

The Prime Minister has reiterated there'll be more savings in next month's budget update, as his government faces pressure to bring down inflation, in the wake of another rate rise.

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A parliamentary inquiry is looking at why so many Australians are struggling to access specialist medical care.

Long public waiting lists, high out-of-pocket costs, and workforce shortages all on the agenda.

The committee is exploring potential fixes, including formalising a system where GPs can consult specialists directly, which experts say could free up appointments and save patients money.

The Reserve Bank's raised the cash rate for the fifth time this year, and with Christmas approaching, millions of Australians with mortgages are feeling the pressure.

So who's hurting, who might actually be better off, and when could relief finally arrive?

Australians this morning are digesting the financial pain of another interest rate rise.

Voting continues across the US in crucial midterm elections and polls are tipping a tough result for President Donald Trump.

Two Australians are among 69 victims of a crash between two high-speed trains in Spain last week.

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Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

Listen to the latest updates from ABC News

The Reserve Bank has signalled it may pause further interest rate rises after lifting the cash rate to its highest level since 2008. The RBA raised rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.85 per cent on Melbourne Cup Day.

Department store David Jones is being forced to defend its viability as the Australian retailer faces speculation about store closures. The department store's key lender has already provided extra cash to allow David Jones to stock up before the busy festive season.

The United States has launched fresh attacks on Iran just hours before polls open in the midterm elections, which will determine whether the Republicans or Democrats control Congress. President Donald Trump has been facing falling polling numbers and pressure from Republicans to end the war as he fights to retain control of Congress.

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The Reserve Bank has lifted the cash rate to 4.85 per cent, the highest since late 2008, adding about $90 a month to minimum repayments on a $600,000 mortgage.

The RBA says excess demand and the risk of people accepting fast-rising prices as the new normal drove the fifth rate rise, alongside fuel costs.

The board was split six votes to three and economists are divided on whether rates will rise again, so is this the last increase?

The Reserve Bank has increased the cash rate to 4.85 per cent. In its monetary policy statement, the board says inflation remains elevated and is widespread, according to recent data.

US Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has delivered his last speech before the US midterm elections. His final push for voters follows a weekend in which a fellow Democrat endorsed a Republican candidate, prompting her expulsion from Michigan's Democratic Party.

Point Of Law, trained by Ciaron Maher, has won this year's Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. The horse was ridden by Ethan Brown.

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The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.85 per cent. It is the board's fifth rate hike this year and takes rates to their highest level in 18 years.

The US has reportedly struck Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, says there have been other smaller strikes recently which Washington has kept secret.

Investigative reporter Kate McClymont has told a court no payments were offered to multiple men who came forward to her with allegations against Alan Jones. Her stories led to a police investigation into the broadcaster, who has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of indecent assault and sexual touching relating to five men.

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Australians are expressing anger, and concern for their household budgeting, just hours away from what's expected to be another interest rate rise.

US President Donald Trump has ended his midterm election campaign by falsely claiming the US has taken Greenland, and fuel is the cheapest it has ever been in America.

Ukraine says Russian forces have bombed a school that's being used as an aid distribution point, killing at least 26 people.

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Supermarkets in several European countries have been the target of massive cyber-attacks, affecting fridges and freezers.

Australia's social media ban for under 16s is heading to the High Court, with challengers arguing the law voids the right to communicate on political matters.

The federal government says it'll stand firm on the law, but with many teenagers still getting around it, the debate over how the ban should work is far from settled.

Anthony Albanese plans to raise the issue of British backpackers with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, after a 2021 deal let them stay up to three years without having to do specific work.

There were nearly 80,000 British backpackers last financial year, up from about 47,000 in 2024, while other working holiday visa holders must work in regional areas to extend beyond a year.

Tony Burke wants a cap and ballot for second and third year visas and the Coalition wants a fee for working in a city, so what would it mean for farmers?

The New South Wales government is leading the push for the NAPLAN writing test for Years 5, 7 and 9 moved from computers back to pen and paper.

Online NAPLAN testing began in 2018 and writing scores have been about the same over the past few years.

One researcher says handwriting is important for learning and memory.

But would a switch make sense in a digital world?

Home values across Australia are dropping at their fastest pace in decades.

While that's happening, people are paying more interest on their home loans because the Reserve Bank keeps pushing up the cash rate to deal with high inflation.

If home values continue going south, as they're expected to do, at what point does the Reserve Bank decide to reverse course on interest rates?

Young people across Europe are taking to the streets over the cost of living, soaring housing costs, and what they see as governments that aren't working in their interests.

In Portugal, Germany, and France the most recent protests have drawn huge crowds, with some demonstrations turning violent and spilling into looting.

So what's behind the unrest, and why is it flaring up now across so many countries at once?

US voters head to the polls this week for high-stakes midterm elections that could hand Democrats control of Congress and deliver a major blow to Donald Trump's administration.

Polling suggests a significant swing toward the Democrats, driven by deep unpopularity over the Iran war, cost of living pressures, tariffs, and a sharp backlash among Latino voters over immigration enforcement.

There are also serious questions about how the administration might respond to unfavourable results, with moves to challenge voter rolls, potential deployment of federal agents at polling stations, and early legal skirmishes already underway.