Morning everyone. There is shock in the Jewish community after a caravan laden with explosives was found in an outer suburb of Sydney, with indications they were to be used in an antisemitic attack.
In other news, FoI documents have revealed that Tanya Plibersek was praising a deal reached to pass laws creating a federal environment protection agency – hours before the prime minister scuttled the deal. Plus Donald Trump revokes his spending freeze in the face of legal challenges, RFK Jr clashed with Democrats in a tense Senate confirmation hearing, and how Meryl Streep escaped the LA fires.
Australia
‘Global gigantism’ | Australian researchers have documented the tallest and most massive living trees in Tasmania, a “global hotspot of gigantism in plants”, including 18 examples over 90 metres.
‘Full force of the law’ | More than 100 counter-terrorism police will step up their investigation today into who was behind the stockpiling of explosives in a caravan on the outskirts of Sydney with indications the materials could have been used in an antisemitic attack. The state premier, Chris Minns, promised to bring the “full force of the law” against those responsible, while Jewish groups condemned the apparent plot as the “most severe threat” yet to their community.
EPA deal | The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, heralded a deal brokered with the Greens and independent David Pocock to create a federal environment protection agency as “critical” before it was scuttled by Anthony Albanese, new documents show.
Dental push | Labor backbenchers are urging ministers to add dental care to Medicare despite the health minister saying it is not a priority.
Renewables record | Renewable power reached a record share of electricity supply in the December quarter, with the contribution of coal-fired generation dipping below 50% for the first time, the system operator said.
World
US politics | Donald Trump’s administration pulled back a proposed spending freeze that threatened to disrupt hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to US programs. Robert F Kennedy Jr’s Senate confirmation hearing for health secretary descended into a fierce exchange as Democrats confronted him over his past statements about vaccines and accused him of “embracing conspiracy theories”. Trump’s social media startup has announced plans to branch out into cryptocurrencies as his administration looks to boost the space.
AI ‘distilled’ | OpenAI has warned that Chinese startups are “constantly” using its technology to develop competing products, amid reports that DeepSeek used the ChatGPT maker’s AI models to create a rival chatbot. The “godfather of AI” has warned that DeepSeek’s advances increase the risk of malicious use of the technology.
Diversity decline | Genetic diversity in animals and plants has declined globally over the past three decades, an analysis of more than 600 species has found. The research found declines in two-thirds of the populations studied.
How can you mend a broken heart? | Damaged hearts can literally be patched up to help them work, say researchers, in what has been hailed as a groundbreaking development for people with advanced heart failure.
Hollywood ending | The actor Meryl Streep made a dramatic escape from her home in Los Angeles as wildfires closed in, cutting a “car-sized hole” in her garden fence to flee.
Full Story
How to win a cost-of-living election
Yesterday’s inflation figures offered Labor hope that prices – and interest rates – will be falling by the time of the election. Jonathan Barrett tells Nour Haydar why so many governments lost power last year because of high inflation, and what Anthony Albanese’s administration could learn from the country that bucked the trend – Mexico.
In-depth
The emergence of America’s “broligarchy”, who assembled at Donald Trump’s inauguration, has prompted much astonishment about how ostensibly liberal-minded entrepreneurs could have turned. But, in today’s featured essay, Becca Lewis argues that Silicon Valley always had a strong reactionary element and that this potential “technofascism” has become more visible whenever their growing power has been challenged.
Not the news
Today’s 10 Chaotic Questions is with the American humorist David Sedaris, who talks to Steph Harmon about the ideal length of men’s shorts, what he thinks of selfies, and why he wants to have a fight with Dick Van Dyke.
Sport
Cricket | Unbeaten centuries from Usman Khawaja (147) and Steve Smith (104) have left Australia in a dominant position against Sri Lanka on the opening day of the first Test in Galle. But the home side will rue dropping Khawaja twice, and missing the chance to get him out on review.
Champions League | It’s a huge morning of European football, with 18 games being played simultaneously to see who can qualify directly and also for playoffs in the new format. You can follow live updates on all of them here and Man City’s must-win home game against Club Brugge here. Our explainer might even help you to understand it all.
Tottenham Hotspur | Dejan Kulusevski has leapt to the defence of Ange Postecoglou and said he will fight to make the manager’s “perfect” football bring success to Tottenham.
Media roundup
Police have defended staying silent about explosives found in a caravan nine days ago, which could be linked to an antisemitic plot, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. A rate cut is on the cards for next month after yesterday’s inflation figures, the Financial Review reckons, but is not a done deal. Friends of slain underworld figure Sam Abdulrahim are trying to find out how his killers knew where to find him, the Age reports.
What’s happening today
Economy | RBA assistant governor Brad Jones speaks at a superannuation forum in Sorrento, Victoria, at 2.20pm.
Western Australia | Sentence for parents convicted of starving and neglecting teenage daughter.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
