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Need to Know

Yesterday

Elon Musk continues to have the full support of President Donald Trump.

Musk is making X into his own digital Mar-a-Lago

Elon Musk’s incursion into the federal government has triggered alarm; Donald Trump imposes sanctions on the ICC. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade

This Month

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tours the Townsville Disaster Management Centre at Garbutt in Townsville.

PM calls Dutton’s approach to politics ‘small’ after his push for caravan plot probe

Anthony Albanese says an independent probe into the caravan bomb plot would be a waste of police resources; Labor announces $9 million in assistance for flood-ravaged North Queensland. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
A United States Postal Service mail drop box.

US postal service halts parcels from China

The United States imports about 3 million parcels a day; Peter Dutton says PM is “embarrassed” by caravan explosives plot. Follow live updates.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade

Coalition and Labor argue over free business lunches

Angus Taylor pushes Jim Chalmers for company tax-free lunches costings; parliament votes to condemn antisemitism. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has attacked the Victorian government’s Suburban Rail Loop.

Dutton labels SRL a ‘cruel hoax’ promoted by ‘bankrupt’ Vic government

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan have traded blows over funding of the state’s controversial Suburban Rail Loop. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Gus McCubbing
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US President-elect Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2019.

Fentanyl is ‘America’s problem’: China, Canada retaliate

China says it will take the US to the WTO over Donald Trump’s tariffs; Justin Trudeau slaps tariffs on $170 billion of US goods; Mexico readies its “plan B”. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Andrew Hobbs

January

Former Olympic skater Nancy Kerrigan breaks down in tears at The Skating Club of Boston.

Figure skating community reels from losses after midair crash

A third of the 60 passengers on the American Airlines flight were part of that community; Australians suffering “worst collapse” of living standards, Peter Dutton says. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade

Treasurer Jim Chalmers apologises for caravan comments

The treasurer apologises for the possible misinterpretation of his comments; Anthony Albanese stands firm on the decision to keep the investigation private. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Labor ‘working towards’ March 25 budget

Jim Chalmers says Australia’s inflation is lower than major advanced economies; Donald Trump offers public servants seven months’ pay to resign. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
The Little Desert bushfire threatened Dimboola on Monday, January 28, 2025. Facebook video posted by Jamie Chandler.

‘Just exploded’: bushfire destroys wedding venue in national park

A Victorian bushfire is threatening holidaymakers at a national park; Donald Trump vows “near future” tariffs, calls DeepSeek progress “good”. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Grace Tame (right) greets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee, Jodie Haydon, at the Lodge while wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan “F--- Murdoch”.

PM calls Grace Tame’s T-shirt stunt ‘disrespectful’

Anthony Albanese says he disagrees with the T-shirt Tame wore at the Australia Day event; Russian troops capture strategic town in eastern Ukraine. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Donald Trump greets the crowd as he leaves Las Vegas on Saturday.

Trump’s vengeance hits former staffers, allies

Donald Trump has opened his enemies to attack by removing their government security protection; Melbourne drinking bout leads to pay cut for JAL executives. Follow updates here.

  • Updated
  • Andrew Hobbs

Australia won’t exit Paris agreement with Trump

Anthony Albanese makes a range of promises during National Press Club address; Peter Dutton calls for more patriotism after statues were vandalised. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Police investigate anti-semetic graffiti overnight at the Newtown Synagogue, in Newtown, Saturday 11th of January 2025. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos / The Sydney Morning Herald

Woolworths NZ supermarkets boss to exit

Woolworths’ new CEO has made her first major change; NSW Police arrest 10 people for antisemitic behaviour; wildfire breaks out in LA. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Rail unions have withdrawn all their partial work bans.

Unions withdraw strike action, to relief of Sydney commuters

Rail unions have withdrawn all their partial work bans against Sydney Trains; NSW Police arrest man over synagogue attack. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns, Acting Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Tara Moriarty,Acting Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell and Acting Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna will provide an update on the antisemitic vandalism that occurred overnight in Maroubra at the NSW Police Executive Office in Sydney on January 21, 2024. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

PM calls national cabinet on antisemitism after criticism

Anthony Albanese will urgently convene the meeting with leaders this afternoon; Chris Minns promises to catch “bastards” responsible for childcare centre attack. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
Donald Trump is on the cusp of a second term.

How Trump backed the TikTok ban before becoming its saviour

Donald Trump can take credit for reviving an app with 170 million users; Bill Shorten formally quits parliament. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade
The co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin.

Sydney attack meets ‘modern standard of terrorism’: Jewish leader

Alex Ryvchin, the suspected target of an antisemitic attack, warns about a rise in levels of hate directed at Jewish communities; Israel confirms deal to handover hostages reached. Follow updates here.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Dean and Timothy Moore
Commuters on a train at Parramatta station endure another day of chaos on Sydney’s rail network.

Rail union calls NSW government’s legal action a ‘smokescreen’

NSW government pursues legal action to end work bans; President Joe Biden issues grim warning; SES issues wet weather warning. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Dean and Timothy Moore
Sydney Trains chief executive Matthew Longland.

Sydney train chaos could get worse Thursday

Level of service expected to “degrade” this afternoon; Albanese threatens “strongest action” over feared POW killing. Here’s how the day unfolded.

  • Euan Black and Timothy Moore

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