While there is always room for a government to curb waste and trim government spending, this goes much further and exposes the hard-right ideological agenda of the Trump administration. There are even cuts to Meals on Wheels. [CBS News] The cuts to the State Department in particular also highlight the United States' retreat on the soft power front. No doubt the Trump administration is focused on hard power. But many of Trump's budget requests are unlikely to be approved by Congress with lawmakers from both sides voicing concerns. [The Wall Street Journal] Speaker Paul Ryan said in a press conference he's seen no evidence that there was a wire tap of Trump Tower, as Trump has claimed. "We've cleared that up," Ryan told reporters. [CNN]

A screencap of the now deleted tweet. Credit:@McDonalds/Twitter Meanwhile spare a thought for the poor staffer who "compromised" McDonald's Twitter account, firing off a "tiny hand" insult to Mr Trump. [My report/Fairfax] 2. Trump effect hits Holland? Anti-Muslim Geert Wilders was expected to poll much stronger in the Dutch election. Credit:Getty Images A contact of mine in Amsterdam today said there was a "big sigh of relief" at various business meetings today with Dutch nationalist Geert Wilders failing to live up to the hype. His poorer-than-expected showing is leading to speculation Trump may be the peak of the populist wave, as opposed to the start of it. [The Washington Post]

The outcome was largely what Wilders will despise - politics as usual. [The Economist] The most striking result was the surge in support for the Green-Left party which went from four to 14 seats. [Politico.eu] But that's come at the expense of the mainstream left with the Dutch Labour party losing 29 seats. This shows polarisation, whether it's on the right or left, is still pervading politics. [Julia Rampen/New Statesman] 3. British politics Theresa May. A fresh move towards Scottish independence would rattle her government. Credit:Ben Stansall

Theresa May has said "now is not the time" for a second referendum in Scotland but this doesn't mean the British prime minister has ruled it out entirely. [The Guardian] If now is not the time then when, asks The Spectator. [Alex Massie] May's conservative party has been fined a record £77,000 ($124,000) for breaking election expenses rules. [BBC] 4. Murdoch James and Lachlan Murdoch Credit:Chris Fowler

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley announced in the Commons she is formally referring Rupert Murdoch's proposed takeover of Sky News UK to the regulator Ofcom. OfCom will consider whether 21st Century Fox taking over Sky will affect media plurality in Britain. [My report/Fairfax] Of course the critics fear Murdoch will turn Sky into another Fox. Just like in Australia, there are just two rolling news channels in Britain - Sky and the public broadcaster - the BBC (ABC in Oz.) Last December Murdoch's News Corp took over Sky, which has a prominent roster of right-wing and conservative commentators. There's too much news around today for me to put this as Number Six so I'm going to pop in this incredible story about a Beeb crew getting too close to a very live Mt Etna. [Fairfax]

5. Aus politics New ACTU boss Sally McManus. Credit:ABC Sally McManus is unrepentant about condoning breaking laws the union movement considers unjust, saying she is a unionist "first, second and third." [Ewin Hannan/The Australian] McManus' message is a signal to true believers that the ACTU believes it is above the law, writes David Crowe. [The Australian]

The CFMEU is crowing but some union leaders share broader misgivings about McManus' comments, reports the Financial Review. [Aaron Patrick and David Marin-Guzman] The coverage today is mainly on Malcolm Turnbull's big Snowy Hydro announcement yesterday. The PM is just throwing out ideas and initiatives rather than an "integrated blueprint," notes Michelle Grattan. [The Conversation] Don't miss The Economist on how Australia has avoided recession for 25 years. [R.M] 6. Mosul Iraqi federal police on the edge of Mosul's Mamun neighbourhood. Credit:Susannah George

Iraqi forces are close to taking back the iconic and ancient al-Nuri mosque where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the caliphate three years ago. The Wall Street Journal reports local jihadis are abandoning foreign fighters in what is being described as Islamic State's "last stand." [Tamar El-Ghobashy and Ali A. Nabhan] But even after the Iraqis recapture Mosul in its entirety, the fight with Islamic State is far from over, as is Australia's and the global coalition's role in Iraq. Security expert Clive Williams elaborates in this cogent piece. [Fairfax] And that's it from me for this week, you can follow me on Facebook for more. Have a great weekend.

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