Morning everyone. It was a dramatic night in Canberra as Anthony Albanese was evacuated from The Lodge due to a bomb threat.
Staying with politics, we also have an Essential poll showing the continued rise of One Nation and a look at why political debate is turning so ugly.
Elsewhere, Amyl and the Sniffers have become embroiled in a continuing legal case over a photoshoot, Donald Trump will make the US State of the Union address later today, and we assess the Matildas squad ahead of the Asian Cup.
Australia
Exclusive | Nearly 60% of Australians would consider voting One Nation at the next federal election, with nearly half of those currently backing Labor saying they would think about backing Pauline Hanson, ringing alarm bells for both the government and Coalition.
‘Ugly politics’ | It’s a sign of our current “ugly politics of immigration” that the government has changed its rhetoric on the return of Australian women and children from camps in Syria, writes our chief political correspondent: instead of compassion there is now contempt. Meanwhile, Labor frontbencher Julian Hill says a rise in faith-based education and home schooling risks eroding social cohesion as children reach adulthood without mixing with people from different cultures and religions.
Albanese evacuated | The prime minister was evacuated from his official Canberra residence last night as police responded to a bomb threat. He returned to the Lodge after about three hours once a search had been completed.
Court fight | The legal battle between the lead singer of Amyl and the Sniffers and a photographer over photoshoot rights continues, as the photographer applies for the case to be thrown out.
Exclusive | A Queensland parliamentary inquiry will recommend children should be banned from riding ebikes and e-scooters until they turn 16 and then require a driver’s licence to use one.
World
Iran crackdown | Plainclothes police and security forces, many of them armed, have tried to flood Iran’s remaining open universities in an attempt to crush a fourth day of student protests against the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
State of play | Donald Trump will use the annual State of the Union address later today to proclaim the success of his first year in office before an American public that polls show has soured on his handling of the issues they care about most.
‘Doomsday loop’ | US stock markets have been hit by a further wave of AI jitters, this time from yet another viral – and completely speculative – warning about the impact of the technology on the world’s largest economy. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s new global tariffs have taken effect at 10%.
Baftas row | Warner Bros reacted immediately after the N-word was shouted out while two of the black stars of their film, Sinners, were on stage at the Baftas in London on Sunday night, yet saw their concerns ignored after the moment was not edited out of the TV broadcast. A Bafta judge has quit over the “utterly unforgivable” handling of the incident.
Telegram slam | Russia will be able to sustain its invasion of Ukraine throughout this year, even allowing for emerging economic and manpower pressures, according to a leading international military thinktank. The Kremlin has launched a criminal investigation into Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, on suspicion of “abetting terrorist activities”, further escalating the Kremlin’s standoff with the widely used messaging app.
Full Story
Ukrainian men on how four years of war has changed them
A DJ turned soldier explains how life has changed for Ukraine’s men while Tracey McVeigh and Shaun Walker report on the impact of the conflict and what could happen next.
In-depth
The reports that there could be a Trump Tower built on the Gold Coast caused more than a ripple on social media. But, as Joe Hinchliffe points out, those with longer memories may reflect that they’ve heard that one before.
Not the news
From stars such as Sam Kerr and Steph Catley to relatively unknown players such as Charlize Rule, Joey Lynch assesses all 26 members of the Matildas squad for the Asian Cup, which begins on Sunday.
Sport
Cricket | Australia’s women had a comfortable victory over India by six wickets in Brisbane last night thanks to half-centuries from Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney.
Football | There’s Champions League action again this morning as Inter try to claw back a 3-1 deficit against Norwegian raiders Bodø/Glimt. Follow live.
World T20 | England won a thriller against Pakistan in Pallekele by two wickets. Harry Brook made a brilliant century off 50 balls before the tail managed to scrape home in the last over.
Media roundup
A Queensland coalminer has gone into administration due to falling prices and punishing royalty taxes, the Courier Mail reports. The Australian reports that rank and file One Nation members are distancing themselves from Pauline Hanson’s remarks about Muslim Australians. The doctor organising the return of 34 Australians from camps in Syria tells the Sydney Morning Herald the “biggest obstacle” has been Albanese’s tough talk. Optus is cutting 200 jobs after a “horror year”, according to the Age.
What’s happening today
Melbourne | The Future Victoria Summit is happening today with speakers including Jacinta Allan, Anthony Albanese and Jess Wilson.
Economy | The monthly inflation figures due at 11.30am, while the RBA governor, Michele Bullock, will speak in Melbourne at 7.30pm.
Canberra | There will be a National Press Club address by Toby Walsh, an AI professor.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
