Australian News

1. International / Geopolitics:

   • Venezuela Crisis: Deposed president Nicolás Maduro and wife Cilia Flores appeared in a New York court, pleading not guilty to narco-terrorism charges after their US-led capture. Maduro claimed he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president, while Trump declared the US will "run" Venezuela until a new government is installed. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au 👉 sbs.com.au 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • US-Venezuela Oil Grab: Analysts warn Trump’s seizure of Venezuela’s oil could destabilize global markets and trigger a broader geopolitical conflict, with China and Russia condemning the move as illegal aggression. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com 👉 sbs.com.au
   • Greenland NATO Warning: Denmark’s PM warned Trump’s threats to annex Greenland could dismantle NATO, calling it a "dangerous precedent" that risks global security. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au 👉 sbs.com.au

2. Australia / Politics & Security:

   • Bondi Terror Inquiry: Former Labor MPs and 60+ sports figures urged PM Albanese to establish a royal commission into the Bondi Beach attack, citing "democracy at stake" and parallels to past failures like the Lindt siege. Albanese remains hesitant, citing a 2016 review. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com 👉 sbs.com.au
   • Gunman Transferred: Naveed Akram, accused of the Bondi Beach attack, was moved to Goulburn Supermax prison, Australia’s most secure facility. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • Liberal Party Crisis: Victorian Liberal deputy leader Sam Groth resigned amid internal divisions, with speculation over leadership instability ahead of the next election. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 au.news.yahoo.com

3. Australia / Health & Safety:

   • Heatwave Warning: A severe heatwave (up to 47°C) hit eastern Australia, triggering bushfire alerts and extreme fire danger ratings, described as the worst since the 2019-20 Black Summer fires. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au 👉 7news.com.au
   • Drownings & Beach Safety: Lifesavers called for stronger swim messaging after multiple drownings, while Sydney beaches faced seaweed buildup and foul odors ahead of the heatwave. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au
   • Measles Alert: NSW and SA health authorities issued warnings after a measles case traveled from Adelaide to Sydney on a Qantas flight, urging vaccination. 👉 abc.net.au

4. Australia / Economy & Infrastructure:

   • Unclaimed Cash: NSW revealed $300 million in unclaimed funds, urging residents to check if they’re owed money. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • Melbourne Sinkhole: A massive 10-meter-wide sinkhole opened near a major tunnel project in Heidelberg, raising safety concerns. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • Childcare Subsidy: A new three-day childcare subsidy took effect, aiming to reduce costs but raising concerns about access and affordability. 👉 sbs.com.au

5. Sport:

   • Ashes Cricket: Australia’s Travis Head scored a century on Day 3 of the 5th Ashes Test in Sydney, while England’s Joe Root equaled Ricky Ponting’s record 309 Test runs in a day. Tensions flared between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 9news.com.au 👉 7news.com.au
   • NRL Transfer: St. George Illawarra Dragons signed Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi to a massive five-year deal. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 au.sports.yahoo.com
   • Tennis: Nick Kyrgios returned to the Brisbane International, while Novak Djokovic withdrew from the Adelaide International due to fitness concerns. 👉 7news.com.au 👉 nine.com.au

6. Australia / Environment & Disasters:

   • Bushfire Risk: A report warned Australian capital cities face LA-style catastrophic fires, with suburbs at high risk due to climate change and urban sprawl. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 theguardian.com
   • Queensland Floods: Severe flooding cut off towns in northwest Queensland, with farmers reporting massive livestock losses and infrastructure damage. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au
   • Swiss Bar Fire: All victims of a deadly New Year’s Eve bar fire in Switzerland were identified, with teenagers among the 40+ fatalities. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 7news.com.au

7. Australia / Social & Lifestyle:

   • Digital Detox: Australians embraced New Year’s "digital detoxes" to reduce screen time and improve mental health. 👉 7news.com.au
   • Cyberbullying Conviction: A Paris court found 10 people guilty of cyberbullying French First Lady Brigitte Macron. 👉 abc.net.au 👉 sbs.com.au
   • Unclaimed Money: NSW urged residents to check for unclaimed funds, with $300 million sitting unclaimed. 👉 abc.net.au

8. Global / Humanitarian:

   • Iran Protests: Anti-government protests in Iran escalated, with reports of six deaths and rising tensions amid economic hardship. 👉 abc.net.au
   • Ukraine Bondi Tribute: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy sent condolences to Australia after a Bondi Beach attack victim was linked to Ukraine. 👉 au.news.yahoo.com
   • Syrian Refugee Squash: Squash programs in refugee camps are empowering Syrian girls, teaching them discipline and resilience. 👉 sbs.com.au

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