Good morning. After the audacious US raid to seize Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, we look at the rising global diplomatic backlash, Donald Trump’s oil ambitions and who is stepping up to fill Maduro’s shoes.
Elsewhere, as forensic investigators continue their painstaking work, girls aged 14 and 15 have been identified among the victims of the New Year’s Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
And Australia’s bowlers will be hoping for an early breakthrough on day two of the Ashes Test at the SCG, after a first day marked by sensible English batting and a roar of gratitude for the Bondi attack first responders.
Australia
Searches called off | Emergency services have suspended separate searches for a teenage boy and a male swimmer in waters off Sydney amid a horror New Year period at Australia’s beaches.
Maduro reaction | Anthony Albanese says he backs a “peaceful, democratic transition” of power in Venezuela after the US capture of Nicolás Maduro, but is calling for international law to be respected.
Bondi attack | More than 60 Australian sports stars have called on Anthony Albanese to establish a federal royal commission into antisemitism, radicalisation and the Bondi terror attack.
Standing ovation | The SCG crowd roared as Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed, his arm in a sling and his hand on his heart, walked out on to the pitch just before play began of the final Test of the Ashes series.
Mining accident | The operator of Queensland’s Curragh coalmine is working with authorities to determine the cause of an underground collapse that left one mine worker dead.
World
Maduro captured | Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela sets an “extremely dangerous precedent”, six countries warn. Read how the operation was planned and executed. Republicans have backpedaled from Trump’s claim the US will “run” Venezuela and we analyse the claim the action was never about “war on drugs”.
US allies rattled | The capture of Maduro has sent global shockwaves with renewed fears of an American takeover of Greenland. Europe appears torn.
Crans-Montana fire | Hundreds of mourners have joined a silent procession in the Swiss town, as girls aged 14 and 15 were confirmed as being among the 40 people killed in the New Year’s Eve bar fire.
‘We should be concerned’ | The world “may not have time” to prepare for the safety risks posed by cutting-edge AI systems, according to a leading figure at a UK government research agency.
Berlin blackout | German leftwing militants protesting over the climate crisis and AI have claimed responsibility for an arson attack that cut power to tens of thousands of households in Berlin.
Full Story
The Descendants episode 1: decoding a massacre
Colonial pastoralist Major Logue is a figure of note in the city of Geraldton, Western Australia. But his diaries, written partly in code, reveal a dark and confronting chapter of Australia’s past – a history that Yamatji people already know all too well. Sarah Collard and Lorena Allam discuss decoding the truth behind Logue’s diaries – and how descendants of colonial violence are now coming together to heal from the horrors of the past.
In-depth
In her first speech as Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez struck a defiant tone – lambasting the US and pledging fealty to Nicolás Maduro. But, as Rory Carroll explains, the Donald Trump administration has made a cold calculation: that she will bow to Washington.
Not the news
Having recently directed the likes of Alicia Vikander, Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman on stage, the Australian director Simon Stone is returning to Australia in February to direct his adaptation of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard – staged entirely in Korean, with subtitles – at the Adelaide festival. He speaks to Steve Dow about luring film stars to his projects, family tragedy and one of the proudest moments in his career.
Sport
Cricket | England’s big guns cut loose to highlight the folly of Australia’s bowling choices, Geoff Lemon writes; Joe Root and Harry Brook shine for England before storm halts Ashes charge against Australia; Harry Brook urges England to make most of a “good wicket” after a series-best score.
Winter Olympics | The Australian skiers out on their own chasing an Olympic dream: “We’re seen as the underdogs.”
Football | Matheus Cunha earns Manchester United a point as Leeds keep up an unbeaten run; Harrison Reed’s wonder strike for Fulham denies Liverpool in a thrilling finish; Igor Thiago’s hat-trick punishes Everton as Brentford overtake them in the table; and Manchester City draw with Chelsea at the Etihad.
Tennis | Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu was ruled out of her United Cup opener in Perth in a false start to the new season.
Media roundup
The Australian cricket great Damien Martyn has woken up from an induced coma, ABC News reports. Australia’s housing market roared back to life last year but 2026 is shaping up as a year it taps the brakes, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
NSW | Day two of the final Test of this Ashes series is being held at the SCG.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
