1. America decides [Live Results]
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And we're off. Today is the day we find out if America opts for Clinton or Trump. [Fairfax Live Blog]
All things going well, we should have a result after lunch. Good explainer here of who votes when and what's needed for victory. [Fairfax] There have been huge lines at voting booths, suggesting a record turnout. [The Washington Post]
Hillary Clinton was cheered as she cast her ballot in her home state of New York. "I'm so happy, I'm just incredibly happy," Clinton said. The woman poised to shatter the ultimate glass ceiling also said she felt "humbled" and promised to govern for all Americans. Clearly a politician confident of winning but aware of how difficult that task will be after the divisive campaign. [AFP News]
A few hours later it was Trump's turn to vote. With wife Melania by his side, Trump was booed, according reporters at the scene.
Trump just walked into his polling place in NY with Melania and Ivanka. Some audible boos from voters standing in line— Noah Gray (@NoahGrayCNN) November 8, 2016
Trump conducted a series of radio interviews before voting. He is still threatening to reject an adverse result. [CNN]
Paul Kelly on Donald Trump's "political gangster" tactics is a good read. [The Australian] The media is responsible for the rise of Donald Trump and destruction of Hillary Clinton because its even-handed coverage created a false equivalence, writes Gloria Steinem. [Financial Times]
Nate Silver's final analysis of the polls gives Hillary Clinton a 71.4 per cent chance of becoming president by the end of the day, with the states of North Carolina, Florida, Nevada and Maine's Second Congressional District all flipping in the last 48 hours. [FiveThirtyEight]
But at least one poll has the pair tied in the super battleground state of North Carolina from where Josephine Tovey reports. [Sydney Morning Herald]
Republican pollster Frank Luntz believes Trump may still be in with a chance.
BREAKING: Watch Michigan.
Working-class turnout is looking much higher than expected. Trump may actually have a chance. #ElectionDay— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) November 8, 2016
There's no doubt the bitter campaign between the two unlikeable candidates has benefited the outgoing First Family, aided of course by Michelle Obama's stunning, captivating and powerful campaign. Gallup shows only the first Clinton president leaving office with a more favourable rating than Barack Obama. [Philip Bump/The Washington Post]
Clinton's election party will be at the Jacob K.Javits Convention Centrr in New York City; Trump's will be at the Hilton in New York's Midtown.
2. Clinton on 'mad' Corbyn
Hillary and Bill Clinton after voting. Photo: AP
Wikileaks has been busy releasing another batch of emails overnight and a statement from hacktivist Julian Assange claiming he is not trying to influence the outcome of the US election by publishing embarrassing internal Clinton emails. (It's just that he hasn't received any damaging emails about Trump to publish, Assange insists.) [Read]
One email contained a private speech given by Bill Clinton in which he says the British Labour party mistakenly thought their 2015 election loss was because they had not gone far enough to the left and responded by choosing the "maddest person in the room". Although in this case, he spoke of Labour choosing "a guy they practically got off the street" in Jeremy Corbyn. [Michael Wilkinson/The Telegraph]
3. Prince Harry's unprecedented statement
Prince Harry, US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Prince William, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace in April. Photo: Getty Images
Kensington Palace issued, on behalf of Prince Harry, one of its most strongly worded statements to date about media intrusion.
Since the identity of Prince Harry's latest love interest, Meghan Markle, was published, the actress has been subjected to the kind of media harassment no one would wish upon their worst enemy.
"Her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker and loved one in her life," the statement read.
The statement also highlighted the racial abuse Markle has received since her relationship with Harry was made known. [Jenna Clark, Nick Miller/Fairfax]
The British tabloid press appear to have missed the point.
"It's official!" screamed The Sun. [Ellie Cambridge] The Daily Mail began: "Harry confirms he HAS been dating Meghan for 'months'". [Mark Duell, Mark Robinson]
Sigh.
4. Sturgeon to seek Scottish say on Brexit
The Queen greets Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, centre, and Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson during the opening of the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament. Photo: Getty Images
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will seek a similar ruling made by the High Court which said the British government must seek Westminster's permission before triggering Article 50 – the formal process for leaving the European Union. Prime Minister Theresa May says the government will begin that process by April 2017, but Sturgeon, who opposes Brexit, says Scotland should also have to give its consent.
Scotland will intervene in an upcoming government appeal to the High court ruling, she said. [The Guardian]
5. A tale of two egos
Then opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull listens to the then prime minister Kevin Rudd in 2009. Photo: Glen McCurtayne
After Malcolm Turnbull churlishly denied Kevin Rudd the opportunity to contest the United Nations Secretary-General position, the former PM has continued his quest to publicly humiliate the current PM.
Reviving the disastrous Godwin Grech affair which blighted Turnbull's first go at the leadership, Rudd is accusing Turnbull of lying about their private discussions over asylum seekers when Turnbull was opposition leader and Rudd was PM the first time. Michael Gordon has reports on Rudd's blistering attack. [The Age]
6. Triggs facing defamation threat
Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. Photo: Michelle Smith
The Queensland university students accused but cleared of breaching Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act over a Facebook post are threatening to sue Human Rights Commission President Gillian Triggs for defamation. [Hedley Thomas/The Australian]
Laura Tingle believes Turnbull "goofed" in attacking Triggs earlier this week and was "sturdily rebutted" by the HRC President. [Financial Review]
Very funny column/dispatch from Liberal commentator Janet Albrechtsen calling on Malcolm Turnbull to make reform of 18C his legacy. (You'd have to hope he could do a little more than that all up!) [The Australian]
18C is set to change but it's still political risky, writes Michelle Grattan. [The Conversation]
Excellent wrap of the zeitgeist regarding 18C by Philip Coorey who also reports that the Labor Party and gay marriage lobby's decision to kill the plebiscite and press for a free vote before the end of this parliament may backfire. [Financial Review]
In other politics news:
One more asylum seeker from Narau has chosen to resettle in Cambodia under the Australian government's $55 million deal. [Lindsay Murdoch/Fairfax]
An non-government dominated Senate committee has found Attorney-General George Brandis misled Parliament regarding his stoush with the now departed Solictor-General Justin Gleeson. [Michaelia Whitbourn/Fairfax]
All eyes will be on the US election but it's worth keeping an eye out for the maiden speech of the new and controversial Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching at 5pm.
And that's it from me today – you can follow me on Facebook for more.
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