TRANSCRIPT:
- National cabinet convenes after the latest antisemitic attack in Sydney;
- Donald Trump makes good on a promise to pardon January 6 rioters;
- Spain's Paula Bandosa through to the Australian Open's final four for the first time.
State leaders are meeting with the federal government this afternoon for crisis talks over what has been described as a growing antisemitism crisis in the country.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a national cabinet conference to discuss what action should be taken in the wake of a spate of attacks on Jewish homes, schools and places of worship.
Ahead of the cabinet conference, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has already vowed to expand the police operation that's been set up to investigate.
He says the latest incident - on a childcare centre in Sydney's east - is beneath contempt.
"I think we know enough already, without knowing the identities, to know the kind of people that we are dealing with... It is completely disgusting. And these bastards will be rounded up by New South Wales police."
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Tech billionaire Elon Musk has caused controversy after twice performing a gesture similar to a Nazi salute during his speech at the inauguration.
The gestures were quickly scrutinised online and by media organisations, including by several Israeli news outlets, who wrote that the gesture performed was a fascist salute.
Elon Musk is yet to comment.
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Donald Trump has pardoned the rioters who took part in the attempted insurrection on January 6, 2021.
The newly sworn in President has pardoned about 1500 people who stormed the US Capitol on that day after an incendiary speech by Trump, tearing down barricades, fighting police, and forcing politicians and Trump's vice president Mike Pence to run for their lives as they met to formalise the 2020 election result.
Trump has also directed the Attorney General to seek dismissal of around 450 pending criminal cases against January 6 defendants.
The pardons are one of a slate of executive orders Trump has already made on his first day, including 78 that rescind his predecessor Joe Biden's actions.
One is an order that paved the way for sanctions against Israeli settlers accused of acts of violence in the occupied West Bank.
U-N Secretary General Antonio Guterres says while much of the world's attention has focused on Gaza, there is concern about growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
"Regrettably, the situation in the West Bank continues to worsen with clashes, air strikes and animated illegal settlements, expansion and demolitions. I am deeply concerned about an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity of the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza and the West Bank."
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Anthony Albanese has joined Foreign Minister Penny Wong in talking up the US Australia relationship after the swearing in of Donald Trump.
The U-S President has re-stated his commitment to tariffs in his inaugural address - but the Prime Minister is not convinced that Australia will be impacted.
He says it would not be in the best interests of the U-S to impose tariffs on Australian trade.
"I point out two facts. One is that we have a Free Trade Agreement with the United States that has bipartisan support. Secondly, as well, that the United States has a trade surplus with Australia. It's had one since the Truman presidency. So it's in the interests of the United States that this economic relationship and partnership continues."
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Voters have been urged to be wary of claims made online in the leadup to the next federal election.
Australia's Election Integrity Assurance Taskforce says voters can expect misinformation and lies during the election cycle.
The Taskforce says some of the danger could come from cyber criminals in Australia and overseas - as well as malicious actors who want to undermine or disrupt the system.
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A number of prominent Indigenous Australians and leaders say they are supporting a petition for Australia Day to be moved from January 26.
The petition currently has more than 21,000 signatures.
Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman Ngarra Murray is the Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly in Victoria.
She says changing the date means all Australians can celebrate together on a day that doesn't represent pain for First Nations Australians.
"Their ripple effects are felt across generations, manifesting into social and economic and health inequalities that still persist today. To celebrate this date without acknowledging its impact is to ignore the pain and resilience of the First Peoples of this land. To change the date is to acknowledge the strength and resilience of our people who have survived centuries of attempt to erase our cultures."
