Morning everyone. The deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has appeared in a court in Manhattan charged with an alleged “narco-terrorism” conspiracy. His replacement has made more conciliatory noises to Washington – and there’s plenty more global reaction.
Back home, the fires that destroyed so many homes in Los Angeles last year were a “wake-up call” to suburban Australia, experts say. And in the cricket, Ben Stokes is under the microscope after a clash with an Australian batter.
Australia
Fire risk | People living on the outskirts of Australian capitals are at risk from Los Angeles-style fires as a dry summer follows years of vegetation growth, according to a new report. The “wake-up call” for suburban Australia comes as searing temperatures in the mid-40s are expected in south-east states this week.
Commission call | A coalition of Labor party affiliates have backed calls for the prime minister to establish a federal royal commission into antisemitism and events that “led to and enabled” the Bondi terrorist attack.
Ebike tragedy | A teenage boy who survived the 2021 Tasmania jumping castle incident has been killed in an ebike accident. Lucas Reid, 15, lost control of the bike and hit a pole outside Devonport on New Year’s Eve.
Measles fear | Health authorities across Australia are on high alert as measles cases rise across the country, fuelled by summer international travel and a decline in childhood vaccination rates.
Advice line | Floods in remote Queensland have threatened the travel plans of hundreds of people on summer road trips – but one lady in the outback town of Winton is providing the kind of advice that just isn’t available online.
World
Maduro in court | The deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges in a Manhattan federal court on Monday afternoon after his controversial capture by US forces this weekend. In court he declared he was a “decent man” and insisted he was still president, even though Delcy Rodríguez, his former deputy, has been sworn in as interim president and dialled down the confrontational tone she initially adopted with the US.
Greenland ‘fantasy’ | Amid the fallout from Venezuela, Greenland’s prime minister has warned that Donald Trump must give up his “fantasies” about annexing the Danish colony.
Macron verdict | A Paris court has found 10 people guilty of online harassment of the French first lady, Brigitte Macron, by posting or reposting malicious comments on social media that claimed falsely that she was a man.
Wintry blast | Hundreds of schools have been closed and flights cancelled in parts of the UK as weather warnings remain in force, with snow bringing disruption.
‘Tuna King’ | A sushi entrepreneur has paid a record 510.3m yen (almost $A5m) for a giant bluefin tuna at a prestigious auction in Tokyo’s main fish market.
Full Story
The Descendants episode 2: the search for Tom Wills
In this two-part special, Ella Archibald-Binge and Lorena Allam discuss how families on both sides of the 1860s massacres of Gayiri people in central Queensland are reckoning with the truth of their ancestors’ colonial past.
In-depth
Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley have surged into serious contention for the Oscars for their roles in, respectively, Marty Supreme and Hamnet, after picking up the top prizes for acting at the Critics Choice awards overnight. Australians Jacob Elordi and Sarah Snook were also among the winners.
Not the news
From Robert Forster’s debut, Songwriters on the Run, to eco-lit such as Adam Ouston’s single-sentence novel about a climate activist trapped in a mine, and from Matt Lloyd-Cape’s analysis of the housing crisis to a takedown of John Howard by former Guardian political reporter Amy Remeikis, here are some of the best books to expect in 2026.
Sport
Cricket | Ben Stokes is likely to escape punishment for his sweary spat with Marnus Labuschagne during the fifth Test in Sydney yesterday, while Travis Head will be eyeing another century when he resumes on 89 not out this morning as Australia look to overhaul England’s first innings total of 384. Australia suffered from the lack of a spinner, writes Geoff Lemon, and may yet pay the price. Jamie Smith’s rash dismissal sums up the mistakes of England’s campaign.
Football | Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United after a power struggle with the hierarchy over transfer policy ended the Portuguese’s 14-month reign. Read analysis by Jonathan Wilson here. In Scotland, Celtic have sacked their coach Wilfried Nancy after 33 days.
Afcon | Mo Salah’s Egpyt have been in action against Benin in the last 16 of the African championship in Morocco.
Media roundup
Bondi terror suspect Naveed Akram has been moved to Goulburn Supermax prison as he awaits a court appearance, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. Victorian Liberal MP Wendy Lovell has joined Sam Groth in quitting, the Age reports, as new leader Jess Wilson denied the party had a toxic culture. Bridges allowing access across the inner city bypass are a key part of the design for Brisbane’s Olympic stadium, the Courier Mail reports.
What’s happening today
Victoria | Committal mention for teacher accused of stabbing principal in Dandenong.
New South Wales | Police commissioner to decide whether to extend protest laws.
Queensland | Anthony Albanese will visit flood-hit areas of Queensland today as the state faces more heavy rain.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
