Morning, everyone. Today we reveal a huge social media ad campaign by conservative politicians who claim “elites” and Anthony Albanese are conspiring to scrap Australia Day. That’s our top story this morning, plus the threat of a strike by ABC Sydney staff over the treatment of Antoinette Latouf and all the latest on another dramatic night for Australian contenders at the tennis in Melbourne.
Australia
ABC walkout? | ABC journalists in the broadcaster’s Sydney offices have threatened a walkout unless management addresses concerns aboutthe handling of the termination of the radio host Antoinette Lattouf.
‘Under siege’ | Conservative politicians are dominating Facebook advertising about Australia Day, analysis shows, with the Liberal MPs Andrew Hastie and Dan Tehan leading those who are paying for ads claiming the holiday is under threat from “politicians, corporate elites and unelected bureaucrats”.
Thy will be done | Victoria’s premier is considering scrapping the practice of starting each parliamentary sitting day with the Lord’s Prayer: our analysis reveals it’s a debate as old as federation.
Palestine aid boost | The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, has begun a visit to the Middle East by announcing that Australia will nearly double humanitarian funding to the Palestinian territories. She said she was “gravely concerned” by worsening conditions in Gaza.
‘High risk’ AI | Tech companies could be asked to watermark or label content generated by artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT as the federal government grapples with “high risk” AI products evolving faster than legislation.
World
Zelenskiy plea | Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made an impassioned plea at the Davos summit for international support for his country’s war against Russia, insisting that Vladimir Putin must live to regret starting the conflict.
Yemen warning | Aid agencies have begun suspending vital operations in Yemen after US and UK strikes on Houthi targets, amid warnings about the war-torn country’s “dire” humanitarian situation.
Tory warfare | Boris Johnson has backed calls by Conservative rebels to harden the Rwanda deportation bill, increasing the pressure on his successor, Rishi Sunak, as he tries to force the legislation through the Commons. Despite the rebellion, Sunak knows his internal enemies can’t really afford to topple him.
Cult fear | Six people – including two children – who disappeared from their homes in Missouri last summer are believed to be in the clutches of an online cult run by a convicted child molester, police say.
Tall tale | Nicole Kidman has revealed she had to lie about her height early in her career, taking half an inch off her 5ft 11in height to secure auditions.
Full Story
Why people are quitting dating apps
With an increasing number of people fed up with dating apps, Gabrielle Jackson talks to lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman about why more people are looking for love offline.
In-depth
Donald Trump will continue on to the New Hampshire primaries more confident than ever about capturing the Republican nomination after the former president secured a 30-point win in the Iowa caucuses. Although first he has travelled to New York where jury selection has started in E Jean Carroll’s Manhattan federal court defamation trial against him. Our man in Des Moines writes that it’s a nightmare for many Americans but a dream for others in the next stage of the Maga takeover of the Republican party. But Democrat strategists will be pleased that Joe Biden is increasingly likely to again face the opponent he beat in 2020.
Not the news
From childhood trips to the now-long-gone department stores to taking part in the first Mardi Gras in 1978, Garry Wotherspoon has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst. But it took him decades to finally listen to its “siren song” and move into an apartment in the old Winns’ building.
The world of sport
Australian Open | In a dramatic night of tennis at Melbourne Park, Ajla Tomljanovic reached the second round with a three-set victory over Croatia’s Petra Martić which finished after midnight. And there are now six Australian men in the second round after Thanasi Kokkinakis saw off the Austrian Stan Ofner in an equally thrilling match. Elsewhere, Carlos Alcaraz swept past Richard Gasquet in straight sets and women’s No 1 and No 3 seeds Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina also had routine wins.
Rugby union | The Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has stunned rugby union by announcing a career switch to American football.
Golf | The outgoing boss of the European tour has warned America’s PGA Tour it must embrace the “global” nature of golf as the game grapples with the PIF Saudi tour.
Media roundup
The cost of commuting to Melbourne airport is making it hard for businesses at the site to recruit staff, the Age reports. The Sydney Morning Herald says a developer has been told to fix 17 defects in a housing tower as the state cracks down on builders. Two thieves who plundered an apartment complex were caught because they failed to cover up their “unique” tattoos, the Illawarra Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Canberra | China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, will hold a media conference.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
