Good afternoon. The US Congress has fallen into chaos after the House Republican speaker, Kevin McCarthy, was ousted by the hard-right of his own party – the first time in US history a House speaker has been removed.
The move to oust McCarthy was led by Republican Matt Gaetz, who was outraged by McCarthy’s deal with the Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. It’s little surprise that a majority of Americans say they have little or no confidence in the future of the US political system. Read the five key takeaways from McCarthy’s ouster, and a profile on Gaetz.
- Horrific Venice bus crash | At least 21 people have died and 15 have been injured after a tourist coach crashed off an overpass. Officials said the vehicle fell 30 metres (98ft) on to electricity lines and caught fire at about 7.45pm local time. Those on board included Ukrainian, German and French citizens, according to Venice prefect Michele Di Bari. Two of the dead were children. The Italian driver, aged 40, was also killed.
- E-bike battery explosion in Sydney hostel | One person has been injured and 70 evacuated after a blaze in Darlinghurst that is believed to have been sparked by a lithium battery. Watch the video of the explosion.
- Homes lost to NSW bushfire | The NSW Rural Fire Service has confirmed properties have been lost in a bushfire on the NSW south coast, but were not able to say the exact number or location. The prime minister is visiting the region, warning that Australia is in for a challenging summer. Across the border, Victoria downgraded its bushfire warnings, but added flood warnings in other parts of the state.
- Pacific view on the Indigenous voice | The head of the Pacific Islands Forum says a yes vote would “elevate Australia” on the world stage. More than 600,000 people have placed early votes in referendum, Anthony Albanese confirmed today.
- Indefinite immigration detention to face high court challenge | Lawyers for a stateless Rohingya refugee are seeking to overturn a 20-year-old precedent that allows those who can’t be deported to be kept detained. The case is due to be heard in November.
- ‘Grotesque abuses’ of temporary migrants | The Albanese government has launched a crackdown on the exploitation of temporary migrants, after a review of the visa system found that more than 45% of backpackers and more than 40% of international students are earning less than $15 an hour – well below the minimum wage. It comes as new figures reveal the nation’s skill shortage has doubled since 2021.
- Commonwealth Games bill climbs | Another $1.3m in legal fees has been added to the $380m Victorian taxpayer bill for the state’s cancellation of the games. Victoria’s opposition leader, John Pesutto, says the Labor government is “operating in chaos” after it was revealed they hired lawyers weeks before the cancellation.
- Ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting as Christians pass in Jerusalem | A video of ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on the ground beside a procession of foreign Christian worshippers carrying a wooden cross in the holy city of Jerusalem has ignited intense outrage and a flurry of condemnation in the Holy Land.
- New Zealand’s hottest September on record | Every region in the country experienced above-average temperatures, with one area hitting 29.6C.
