Good afternoon readers, and welcome to the Afternoon Update.
Anthony Albanese has touched down in the US for his much anticipated meeting with Donald Trump.
Heavy rain and Kevin Rudd greeted the prime minister on the tarmac ahead of his talks at the White House, where Aukus is expected to be high on the agenda. The Republican congressman Michael McCaul told Guardian Australia his intel suggests the defence pact “is what keeps [China’s president] Chairman Xi up at night”.
Back home, the former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce confirmed he has been speaking with Pauline Hanson amid speculation of a possible defection to One Nation.
Top news
East coast to sizzle after record October temperatures in Australia’s west
Former Triple J host got $2.2m in donations for third unsuccessful tilt against Liberal
Trump suggests carving up Ukraine’s Donbas region to end war after meeting with Zelenskyy
Hong Kong: two people reported killed after cargo plane skids off airport runway
Louvre museum robbery: how the thieves broke in, what they stole and what happens next?
In pictures
Burning space debris that crashed to Earth in outback Australia is likely part of a Chinese rocket, according to a leading space archaeologist. The flaming hunk of metal and carbon fibre was spotted by miners in WA on Saturday afternoon.
What they said …
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“I’ve been in fights that were as close.” – Oscar Piastri
The Australian McLaren driver is still confident in his Formula One world championship chances after Lando Norris and Max Verstappen slashed his lead at the US Grand Prix.
Full Story
Arthur Sinodinos on how Albanese can tackle Trump
Anthony Albanese is set to have his first face-to-face meeting with the US president at the White House. Reged Ahmad speaks to former ambassador to the US and former Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos – a man who’s been in the room with Donald Trump – on what Australia should be offering this most unpredictable of presidents.
Before bed read
“America, it’s been 60 years but I’m breaking up with you.” One anonymous Australian writer renouncing their US citizenship has explained why.
Daily word game
Today’s starter word is: HERE. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply.
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