Morning Mail: More ABC cuts at radio national, Trump security adviser 'purged', Shorten challenges Turnbull on race ethics code

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail Wednesday 16 November 2016 g County official fired for calling Michelle Obama 'ape in heels' Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail. Sign up here for our Guardian Today email, sent every day at noon, and you can sign up to our new Guardian Australia sport email here. Among the most read stories on our website this morning is news that a county worker in West Virginia was fired over a racist Facebook post calling first lady Michelle Obama an "ape in heels".The mayor also faces calls to be fired after voicing her approval in the comments, but has said "my comment was not intended to be racist at all", and the response has been a "hate crime against me". Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines Donald Trump transition team in disarray after key adviser 'purged' National security adviser Mike Rogers leaves in 'Stalinesque purge' as talks at Trump Tower continue amid uncertainty over role of president-elect's children Radio National to lose eight staff as ABC cuts several programs from 2017 schedule Exclusive: All but one of RN's music programs expected to be cancelled, along with Afternoons, and the religious affairs program Sunday Nights Confecting a moral panic around 18C is easier than solving our real problems A majority of Australians back changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. It's a knee jerk reaction and the government should still be challenged for its cynical play Queensland man dies after ramming car into ex-girlfriend's home and setting it alight The 37-year-old died in hospital after the arson attack in which four people survived after they barricaded themselves in the bathroom to escape flames Race ethics code: Shorten challenges Turnbull to put Labor proposal to Coalition MPs Exclusive: Labor leader writes to PM, saying rise of One Nation and Donald Trump means MPs must commit to truthfulness and tolerance Australian news and politics Sydney man granted bail after being charged with terrorism offences Muhammad Abdul-Karim Musleh, 22, was charged with allegedly travelling to and attempting to fight in Syria Reserve Bank governor warns against higher level of household debt Philip Lowe says economy adjusting better than many predicted to the unwinding of the mining investment boom Queensland may pursue Linc executives for cleanup costs Liquidators are challenging rehabilitation order, arguing available money should be spent on worker entitlements, leaving taxpayers with cleanup bill Lifetime ban on asylum seekers 'not connected' to US deal, says immigration head Michael Pezzullo says the US did not ask for the plan to permanently ban boat arrivals from entering Australia Australia must develop 'independent foreign policy' in wake of Trump win – Labor Penny Wong urges a better road map in Asia and says Trump's campaign rhetoric 'run counter to what are core values for most Australians' Medicare bulk-billing drop shows GPs cannot absorb rebate freeze, says AMA Australian Medical Association seizes on official Medicare figures showing quarterly decline in rates to criticise Coalition policy Campbell Newman predicts One Nation will be part of next Queensland government Former premier says Pauline Hanson 'older and wiser' politician who could enter coalition with Liberal National party Around the world Aleppo airstrikes restart as Russia announces major Syria offensive First attacks in weeks hit rebel-held east of city, after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin speak on phone about 'regulating conflict' Gaddafi 'gave Nicolas Sarkozy €50m for 2007 presidential campaign' Businessman Ziad Takieddine repeats claim of Libyan funding days before former French leader seeks nomination for 2017 Barack Obama raises possibility of debt relief on final Greece visit US president calls for growth strategy to put debt-stricken country on 'durable' path of recovery Tehran shuts schools as thick smog is linked to hundreds of deaths Authorities in Iranian capital forced to take emergency action amid unprecedented levels of air pollution Trump's name to be removed from New York buildings to appeal to renters Owner of Upper West Side 'Trump Place' buildings, developed by the businessman, aims for 'more neutral building identity'

One last thing The mansplaining hotline: a simple explanation that even women will understand A Swedish union has set up a number that women can call when men start explaining things to them in a patronising manner. Is it a much-needed initiative or just a stunt? Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.

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