Morning everyone. Los Angeles residents have woken to scenes of devastation after three huge wildfires ripped through suburbs of the sprawling city overnight, killing at least two people and leaving many injured and countless homes destroyed. And strong winds mean the danger is far from over.
Germany and France have warned Donald Trump against any attempt to “move borders by force” after he expressed his desire for the US to take control of Greenland. At home, we ask whether should you be thinking about quitting Instagram and Facebook, and meet a truly weird marsupial mole.
Australia
‘Poster child’ | New research into one of Australia’s most specialised animals has revealed the marsupial mole’s biology is as unusual as its appearance – making it a “poster child for our fantastic and bizarre fauna”.
‘Berries and bars’ | Clues left by missing hiker Hadi Nazari such as rubbish and hiking poles were enough to make rescue teams think that he was still alive after disappearing in the wilderness on Boxing Day. And their hunch turned out to be right after he stumbled into a group of walkers yesterday having sustained himself on berries and two muesli bars.
‘Allyship’ against hate | The rise in hate acts in Australia has led to claims and counter-claims about the definition and prevalence of antisemitism and Islamophobia, writes Tory Shepherd.
Prisons | Police watch houses in the Northern Territory are being repurposed as long-term prison cells as the number of prisoners reached more than 1% of the territory’s population this week.
Health trip | South Australia will become the first state to prohibit ads for unhealthy food from appearing on public buses, trams and trains – but will it work?
World
Migrant birth | A baby boy has been born on a small, crowded boat carrying 60 people on the deadly Atlantic migration route from Africa to the Canary Islands, producing this remarkable image.
‘Everything was on fire’ | Residents of Los Angeles have continued to flee from wildfires engulfing the city’s suburbs amid fears they would worsen this morning. Those forced to abandon their homes include Star Wars actor Mark Hamill as wind-whipped blazes devastated affluent neighbourhoods such as Pacific Palisades near Malibu. One man trying to escape described the scene: “There were no lights, and everything was on fire.” Follow developments live.
Danish ‘dialogue’ | France and Germany have warned Donald Trump against threatening the “sovereign borders” of the European Union after the US president-elect refused to rule out military action to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of EU member Denmark. However, the Danes say they’re willing to enter “dialogue”. Meanwhile Trump is reportedly planning to declare a national economic emergency to impose widespread tariffs on imports to the US.
‘Don’t settle scores’ | Joe Biden is considering whether to grant pre-emptive presidential pardons to Liz Cheney and Anthony Fauci after threats by Donald Trump to pursue retribution against his political adversaries. The US justice department says it will release some of special counsel Jack Smith’s findings on Trump’s efforts to undo the results of the 2020 election.
Elon Musk | The billionaire has been accused by Spain’s prime minister of “inciting hatred”, and officials in Brussels have been urged to act over the Tesla chief executive’s alleged attempts to interfere in elections in Europe.
Pay to stay | Hotels, short-term lets and campsites in Edinburgh will start charging a visitor levy on all overnight stays in May before a charge on all visits from July next year.
Full Story
How to face your fears and ocean swim with Alice Marklew
Alice Marklew, founder of the Coogee Bay Cuttlefish swim club, takes Matilda Boseley through practical tips to jumping (safely) into the big blue.
In-depth
Although Meta’s decision to get rid of factcheckers – apparently because they were “too complex” – only applies in the US, Australian users of Instagram, Facebook and Threads will nevertheless be considering whether they should stay on the platforms. We look at the options, while Nobel peace prize winner Maria Ressa says Meta is ushering in a “world without facts”.
Not the news
Zucchini and corn slice, topped with cheese and tomatoes, is a favourite in Alice Zaslavsky’s household. And why not? This recipe tastes best in summer, she writes, when zucchini and tomatoes are at their peak. And it’s just as tasty fridge-cold as it is fresh from the oven.
Sport
Cricket | Australia all-rounder Ash Gardner (pictured) and England opener Tammy Beaumont have put their rivalry to one side to call for the Women’s Ashes to be expanded with the addition of more Test matches.
Rugby union | England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is still in two minds about whether to undergo a shoulder operation that could affect his chances of representing the British & Irish Lions in Australia this winter.
Football | West Ham have finally sacked Julen Lopetegui to be replaced by Graham Potter. And Liverpool are hosting Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. Follow it live.
Media roundup
The Herald Sun reveals a crucial message left by Hadi Nazari on his camera which encouraged police to step up the search to find him in the wilds of Kosciuszko national park. Peter Dutton is going out of his Queenslander comfort zone to launch his shadow election campaign in Melbourne, the Age claims. WAtoday calls on an aviation expert to analyse what went wrong when a plane crashed off Rottnest Island on Tuesday. In an editorial, the Sydney Morning Herald thunders about the state of Circular Quay despite millions spent on trying to spruce it up.
What’s happening today
Economy | International trade and retail trade figures released by ABS at 11.30am.
Queensland | Doorstop with treasurer Jim Chalmers in Brisbane at 12.30pm.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
