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Today

President Donald Trump, pictured here on Air Force One on Monday, has moved to ban transgender people from the US military.

US judge temporarily blocks Trump’s federal funding freeze

The Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans could total trillions of dollars; Katy Gallagher says there is a “real possibility” Australia’s economy will have a soft landing. Follow live updates.

  • 34 mins ago
  • Lucy Slade

Yesterday

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

This Month

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
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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Rail unions have withdrawn all their partial work bans.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Rail unions have withdrawn all their partial work bans against Sydney Trains; NSW Police arrest man over synagogue attack.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
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
Burning beachfront property in Malibu, California last week.

LA looting arrests rise, curfews in fire evacuation zones

Nine people have been charged for looting in the Palisades and Eaton fires, and one person has been charged with arson. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Gus McCubbing and Timothy Moore
Tsitsipas has had a disastrous start to his 2025 season, losing his first round Australian Open match to unseeded American Alex Michelsen.

American youngster knocks Tsitsipas out in first round

Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas has been wiped out in the first round of the Australian Open; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he will ‘finish’ the NBN. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Gus McCubbing
President-elect Donald Trump talks to reporters after a meeting with Republican leadership at the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to delay hush money sentencing

They found his sentencing wouldn’t be a serious burden to Donald Trump; New LA-area fire prompts more evacuations, nearly 10,000 buildings burned. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade and Timothy Moore
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LA wildfires declared national disaster after water runs short

Los Angeles authorities say their municipal water systems were designed not for tackling wildfires; Jim Chalmers says Meta scrapping fact-checking is “damaging for our democracy”. Follow live updates.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade and Timothy Moore

Inflation figures show ‘substantial and sustained progress’: Chalmers

Treasurer Jim Chalmers says headline inflation has now been in the RBA’s target band for four months; Victorian Liberal leader’s plan to scrap SEC would increase power prices, minister says. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade and Timothy Moore
This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says a test fire of new type intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea.

North Korea tests hypersonic missile designed to hit Pacific targets

State media reports the intermediate-range missile is designed to strike remote targets in the Pacific; Australia takes steps to mend strained ties with Israel. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Timothy Moore and Lucy Slade
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

Canada PM Justin Trudeau expected to announce resignation

The announcement could be made on Tuesday AEDT, according to local media; Anthony Albanese confirms he will not call election this weekend. Here’s how the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade

December 2024

Workers can resume industrial action on the nation’s busiest rail network after a last-ditch bid to thwart it failed in court.

Sydney train strikes to cause Christmas commuter chaos

Workers can resume industrial action after court win; Victoria’s assistant treasurer is brutally demoted. How the day unfolded.

  • Updated
  • Lucy Slade and Timothy Moore

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/need-to-know-1nlv