PM

Tonight will see the release of one of the most watched economic indicators on the planet. Economists refer to it as the United States Non-Farm Payroll number. It measures how many more Americans found themselves in some form of employment in September. Much of the success of Donald Trump's presidential campaign has been attributed to anger stemming from a large, hidden group, of long-term unemployed in the US, so a better-than-expected employment figure will likely give Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign a boost.

Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles painting continues to be controversial more than 60-years after it was first hung. The Victorian Liberal senator James Paterson has called on the National Gallery to sell the famous abstract impressionist artwork, saying it'd help bring down the national debt. The American piece has shot-up in value since it was bought under controversial circumstances in 1973.

Australia's Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel has been announced to head an independent review, which will provide a blueprint for energy security across the national electricity market. The review was announced at a snap meeting of state and federal energy ministers, called after last week's power outage in South Australia. The group welcomed the review, but remain divided on the federal government push for one national renewable energy target.

In near surreal scenes in a Malaysian court, nine pairs of swimming trunks emblazoned with the Malaysian flag have been tendered as evidence. The case in question involves nine young Australians arrested for stripping down to the so-called budgie-smuggler briefs at the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix. One of the men arrested in Malaysia for stripping down to his swimwear race has fainted in the dock, though he's since been revived.

The Federal Parliament's banking inquiry has wrapped, with the head of Westpac revealing the prospect of a tribunal was raised with him by the Government as early as April this year. Brian Hartzer has declared he has concerns about a tribunal, despite his remarks that a 'trust gap' has opened between banks and their customers. Mr Hartzer has also tried to explain why mortgage and credit card interest rates don't always move in line with the Reserve Bank's cash rate.

Forget trying to read the Reserve Bank's tea leaves every month, a leading economist has told PM Australia's low interest rates will remain 'very low, for a long time'. Warren Hogan says record low interest rates are helping to keep the economy afloat, but argues the 'level of crisis' around the Australian economy is not fully understood. Globally, the amount of monetary stimulus being employed around the globe is set to reach an unprecedented level by the end of this year.

The head of one of the nation's most powerful Indigenous organisations says the Royal Commission into youth detention in the Northern Territory is at risk of becoming a feel good talkfest. Joe Morrison, the chief executive of the Northern Land Council, says the six-month time frame set for the royal commission is unrealistic and could result in a superficial inquiry. He's implored the Federal and Territory Governments to agree to extend it.

The US National Security Agency is in damage control after the arrest of one of its contractors for allegedly stealing vital intelligence information. The FBI has charged Harold T Martin with stealing high level documents, some which detailed a hacking tool that the NSA used to break into foreign computer systems. This information turned up on the internet earlier this year. Martin worked for Booz Allen Hamilton, the company that Edward Snowden was with before he fled to Russia with a trove of top-secret intelligence documents.

Thailand has defended deporting a Hong Kong student activist as the country marks 40 years since a brutal massacre of its own students. Joshua Wong was sent back at China's request after being detained at the airport for several hours. The massacre is not widely understood amongst Thais, but artists and academics are calling for the lessons of history to be learnt.

A penalty against a Melbourne real estate agency for its price underquoting of houses could be a step towards a more transparent market for buyers. Consumer Affairs Victoria who brought the action against Hocking Stuart expects their record fine will have a chilling effect on the industry. The Real Estate Institute of Australia says today's decision is a warning to all real estate agents that a cultural change to pricing is needed.