Where Dutton’s cost-cutting axe could fall, pushback at Trump’s grants pause, Mona Lisa to move

Dentist drought | In the latest part of our Broken Smiles series about dental care, Natasha May reports on how people living in rural Australia such as Dave Morthorpe, pictured, are being worst hit by higher charges and fewer dentists to do the work. We also look at how poor oral health is an indicator of inequality and ask why we don’t do much to fix the problem.

Rate crunch | Inflation figures due out today could “make or break” the case for a pre-election rate cut next month, according to economists, in one of the most politically consequential set of numbers of recent times.

Exclusive | People who believe global heating is a conspiracy get most of their information about news and current events from commercial and social media, according to a study that points to a lower sense of “civic values” among the same cohort.

Jobs question | Peter Dutton wants to slash thousands of newly created public service jobs, the Labor government claims, but where would the axe fall?

Nuclear option | Australia’s new chief scientist has said he is open to the prospect of nuclear power playing a role in the country’s energy mix but remained focused on forms of energy that were “available to help us right now”.

Chipped away | DeepSeek’s cut-price challenge to US AI dominance, which caused a sharp correction on tech stock markets, also saw the boss of chipmaker Nvidia, Jensen Huang, pictured, lose $20bn and his place in the top 10 of the world’s richest people. However, stocks rose again overnight while experts have urged caution over rapidly embracing the Chinese artificial intelligence platform, citing concerns about it spreading misinformation.

Watchdog sacking | The Trump administration faces a lawsuit over its pausing of federal grants and loans. Trump has fired a senior official at the government’s main employment watchdog, triggering a chorus of criticism from unions about a possibly illegal move. One of Trump’s most strident media interrogators, Jim Acosta, has quit CNN saying “don’t give in to the fear”.

PM quits | Miloš Vučević, the prime minister of Serbia, has resigned amid a wave of anti-corruption protests across the country. Our explainer looks at what drove the unrest, what happens now, and what it means for Europe.

Ticking clock | A panel of scientists has moved their symbolic “Doomsday Clock” closer to midnight than ever before, citing Russian nuclear threats, Middle East tension and the climate crisis as factors underlying the risks of global catastrophe.

A room of her own | Emmanuel Macronsays the Louvre will be “redesigned, restored, enlarged” with a new space for the Mona Lisa after a litany of complaints about the overcrowded and leaky museum in Paris.

Cricket | The first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka begins in Galle later today with the tourists facing key decisions on their bowling attack in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Women’s Ashes | Cricket Australia is expecting a record-breaking turnout for the Women’s Ashes Test that starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow with local fans excited by the possibility of the hosts sealing a 16-0 whitewash.

Cricket | A superb spell by leg-spinner Adil Rashid helped England’s men beat India by 26 runs in the third T20 in Rajkot. India lead the five-match series 2-1.

Politics | Social services minister Amanda Rishworth announces disability strategy at Deakin University in Geelong at 9am.

Economy | Latest inflation data released at 11.30am.

Brisbane | Verdicts are expected in the trial of Jason Struhs and 13 other members of religious group over the death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs.

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