What we learned today, Friday 26 January
And with that, we are going to put the blog to bed. Before we go, let’s recap the big headlines from today:
Invasion Day protesters have braved heatwave conditions as rally speakers condemned incarceration rates and expressed solidarity with Palestine.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily has weakened to a tropical low after crossing the far north Queensland coast but damaging wind and intense rainfall is forecast for the coming days.
Australians of the Year Richard Scolyer and Georgina Long are credited with saving the lives of thousands of Australians with skin cancer. But Scolyer has used his moment in the spotlight to talk about his diagnosis with brain cancer.
Anthony Albanese has ridiculed Peter Dutton’s call for an early election on the stage-three tax cuts, while has Dutton dodged committing to a firm position on the changes.
A teenage girl has died in hospital after being pulled from the water following a boating accident in southern Sydney.
And in Victoria, Amelia was the most popular name for girls in 2023, with Oliver retaining the crown for boys for the tenth year in a row.
Thank you for spending part of your day with us – have a great Friday evening.
Updated
Police stop group of men wearing balaclavas on Sydney train
A group of men wearing balaclavas have been stopped in a Sydney train station.
A witness who was on the train and spoke to Guardian Australia said the train was diverted to North Sydney, and people onboard were told it was going to be terminated due to a police operation.
“The police were waiting for the train at North Sydney. The police were obviously there waiting for them, and for at least two hours talking to them.”
After two hours, the man was returning home and saw police were still with the men on the train.
“When I came back home about two hours [later], I noticed the train still sitting there with those passengers still on the train … You could see them on the platform interviewing them.”
The group of about 40 hooded men were seen at Artarmon station just before midday on Friday.
After boarding a train, the group was stopped at North Sydney station by more than 20 police officers.
Passengers not involved with the group had been evacuated, a spokesperson for Transport for NSW said.
As of 4pm a police operation was still under way.
“The men are being taken off the train, but slowly,” a police spokesperson told AAP.
The train was due to begin moving shortly, the Transport for NSW spokesperson added.
– With AAP
Updated
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