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One day before midterm elections that could usher in a new era of divided government in Washington DC, US President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump will hold competing rallies in a final effort to mobilise supporters.
Biden, whose sagging popularity has made him unpopular in several swing states, will travel to reliably Democratic Maryland on Monday, where the Democratic gubernatorial nominee Wes Moore is widely expected to win back the Republican-held governorship.
Trump, meanwhile, is headed to Ohio to campaign alongside the Republican Senate nominee, JD Vance, who emerged from a crowded field of candidates on the strength of Trump's endorsement.
Weighed down by voter frustrations over rising prices, Biden's Democrats fear they could lose control of one or both chambers of Congress in Tuesday's elections.
That would spell the end of Biden's legislative agenda - including Democratic priorities such as abortion rights, family leave and climate change - and open the door for two years of Republican-led investigations that could potentially damage the White House.
A Republican-led Senate could also block Biden's nominations for judicial or administrative posts.
Billionaire Elon Musk, whose purchase of Twitter has Democrats worried that it could unleash a wave of disinformation, tweeted on Monday that "independent-minded voters" should vote for a Republican Congress "because shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties".
If Republicans secure a House majority, they plan to use the federal debt ceiling as leverage to demand that Biden accept deep spending cuts.
The US Treasury is expected to hit its $US31.4 trillion ($A48.5 trillion) borrowing limit in 2023 and any protracted stalemate that risks a default on the US government's debt could roil financial markets.
A Republican Congress would also seek to make the 2017 individual tax cuts passed under Trump permanent.
That law slashed top-line tax rates on corporations, a permanent feature that Democrats failed to reverse with control of Congress over the last two years.
Control of Capitol Hill would give Republicans the power to block aid to Ukraine but they are more likely to slow or pare back the flow of weapons and economic assistance to the country than stop it.
© RAW 2022
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President Joe Biden has warned a Republican victory could weaken the country's democratic institutions and undo much of the accomplishments of his presidency in a stark closing argument ahead of the United States midterm elections.
"Today we face an inflection point," Biden told a cheering crowd on Monday at Bowie State University, a historically Black college outside Washington.
"We know in our bones that our democracy's at risk and we know that this is your moment to defend it."
Biden's comments reflected the deep political divide in the US ahead of Tuesday's elections that could see Republicans win control of one or both chambers of Congress.
Non-partisan election forecasters predicted on Monday that Republicans are likely to pick up roughly 25 seats in the 435-seat House of Representatives, more than enough to win a majority.
Analysts said Republicans also could pick up the one seat they need to win control of the Senate.
Republicans have blamed Biden's administration for rising prices and crime, two top voter concerns.
But dozens of candidates also have echoed former President Donald Trump's baseless claims of fraud in his 2020 election defeat.
Some of them could end up as governors or election administrators in battleground states and play a central role in the 2024 presidential race.
Trump, who travelled to Ohio to campaign alongside the Republican Senate nominee, J.D. Vance, has repeatedly hinted he plans to launch another presidential run soon.
Despite delivering on campaign promises to boost infrastructure and clean energy, many Americans have soured on Biden's leadership.
Only 39 per cent approve of his job performance, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Monday.
Biden's unpopularity has made him an unwelcome guest in the most competitive races.
On Monday, he spoke in reliably Democratic Maryland, where the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Wes Moore, is widely expected to win back the Republican-held governorship.
If Republicans win the House or the Senate, it would spell the end of Biden's efforts to get abortion protections, family leave benefits and other Democratic priorities through Congress.
It also would open the door for two years of Republican-led investigations that could potentially damage the White House.
A Republican-led Senate could also block Biden's nominations for judicial or administrative posts.
Billionaire Elon Musk, whose purchase of Twitter and vows to loosen the reins on who can say what on the platform has led to some speculation that it could unleash a wave of disinformation, tweeted on Monday that "independent-minded voters" should vote for a Republican Congress "because shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties."
If Republicans secure a House majority, they plan to use the federal debt ceiling as leverage to demand deep spending cuts.
They would also seek to make Trump's 2017 individual tax cuts permanent and protect corporate tax cuts that Democrats have unsuccessfully tried to reverse over the past two years.
Control of Capitol Hill would give Republicans the power to block aid to Ukraine but they are more likely to slow or pare back the flow of weapons and economic assistance to Kyiv than stop it.
Trump supporters, spurred by his false election claims, have threatened and harassed election workers and voters.
The US Justice Department said it would monitor voting in 64 locations across the country.
But the White House said on Monday law enforcement had not reported any specific, credible election-related threats.
More than 43 million Americans have already cast their ballots, either in person or through the mail, according to the US Elections Project, which tracks early voting.
Experts say it might be days or weeks before the outcome of some close races - and control of Congress - is clear.
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Rebel Wilson has announced the birth of her daughter Royce Lillian.
The 42-year-old Australian actress, known for films Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids, said her baby girl was born this past week via a "gorgeous" surrogate.
Wilson told her followers on Instagram on Monday: "I can't even describe the love I have for her, she's a beautiful miracle!
"I am forever grateful to everyone who has been involved, (you know who you are), this has been years in the making... but particularly wanted to thank my gorgeous surrogate who carried her and birthed her with such grace and care.
"Thank you for helping me start my own family, it's an amazing gift. The BEST gift!!
"I am ready to give little Roycie all the love imaginable.
"I am learning quickly... much respect to all the Mums out there! Proud to be in your club."
Wilson revealed in June she was in a relationship with Los Angeles-based fashion and jewellery designer Ramona Agruma.
At the time, the Isn't It Romantic star wrote on Instagram: "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince... but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess."
In September, Wilson spoke candidly about being offered more serious acting roles since she lost a considerable amount of weight.
Speaking to the PA news agency, she said: "I kind of feel like transitioning into different kinds of roles and into more dramatic roles and it's really awesome. Of course I'll still be doing comedies as well.
"But I think it will kind of change the roles that people see me being cast in."
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Changes to the government's overhaul of workplace laws will be put up for debate when federal parliament meets on Tuesday.
Key amendments to the industrial relations bill will be introduced to the House of Representatives, following talks between the government, businesses and unions.
The government wants to pass the laws, which would allow for multi-employer bargaining, by the end of the year, but critical crossbenchers have questioned elements of the bill.
Under the new amendments proposed by the government, employers will need a majority of support from employees for a single-interest bargaining authorisation.
Businesses and workers also won't be compelled into a single-interest employer agreements when they have agreed to bargain for a single-enterprise agreement.
Companies will also have 12 months to adjust to changes to fixed-term contracts.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the amendments were sensible changes.
"This bill is essential and urgent. It will promote job security, help close the gender pay gap, modernise the workplace bargaining system and get wages moving after a decade of stagnation," he said.
"Single enterprise agreements will remain the primary form of agreement and this bill makes important improvements to get more people on to single enterprise agreements."
Independent senator David Pocock said it was good to see the government addressing concerns with the bill.
"I'm working through the details of the fairly substantial amendments the government is proposing," he told AAP.
"In order to urgently deliver pay rises for the lowest paid workers, the government should move forward with the supported and co-operative multi-enterprise bargaining streams now."
The coalition has accused the government of trying to rush the bill through parliament.
Manage of opposition business Paul Fletcher criticised the government for shutting down a proposal on Monday for a joint committee to examine the legislation.
"It's clear the Albanese government doesn't want Australians knowing that this sweeping industrial relations bill will result in more strikes, unions marching into small businesses and a recipe for chaos in our economy," Mr Fletcher said.
"That Labor doesn't want to hear from employers, employees and experts on these consequences speaks volumes on just how damaging this bill will be."
© AAP 2022
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