☕️ TikTok switches off, then on again, in U.S.

If you're feeling a bit off this morning, you're not alone. Today is the third Monday of the year, better known as Blue Monday.

It's the day when the holiday buzz fades into the rearview, New Year’s resolutions start to slip, and the reality of the long stretch to the next break sets in.

But here’s the great news: In just 345 days, you get to make a whole new set of resolutions and give it another crack. 2026 is going to be our year!

“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way… therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address... to be delivered in the United States Capital Rotunda, as was used by Ronald Reagan in 1985, also because of very cold weather.”
President-elect Donald Trump via his social media platform Truth Social, on the decision to move his Inauguration Ceremony indoors because of freezing temperatures. The Inauguration is set to start at 4am tomorrow morning (AEDT).

2005
The last time a teenager made the fourth round of the Australian Open men’s singles draw (18-year-old Rafael Nadal) until 19-year-old American Learner Tien booked a spot with a straight-sets victory on Saturday. Tien plays Italian Lorenzo Sonego this afternoon. For a full rundown of all the AO action you missed, and what matches are coming up, sign up to the TDA Sport Newsletter here.

2006
The beloved movie "High School Musical" debuted. It was followed by two sequels, and multiple spin-offs.

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A Queensland woman has been charged with torture after allegedly poisoning her one-year-old daughter to gain donations and increase her online following.

The 34-year-old Sunshine Coast woman is accused of giving medicine to the toddler without a prescription over at least three months last year.

It‘s also alleged she posted videos of the child to solicit thousands of dollars from online followers.

The woman will remain in police custody, and is set to face court on 11 separate charges.

In October last year, staff at a Brisbane hospital raised concerns with police after the child was admitted “in immense distress and pain.”

The toddler appeared “gravely ill” and had “a serious medical condition.”

It’s believed the mother poisoned the toddler multiple times between August and October 2024, using both prescription and over-the-counter medications.

It’s alleged the woman filmed and posted videos of the child online, while the toddler was experiencing “severe emotional and physical distress and harm.”

The woman is accused of raising at least $60,000 from online followers through the public fundraising platform GoFundMe.

Police say they are working to return the money to those who donated “through the kindness of their hearts.”

The woman has been charged with one count of fraud.

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said: “There are no words to describe just how repulsive offences of this nature are.”

“Of course, we’ve got to be careful where we’re sending our money… but I’d hate to see us lose that Aussie spirit of helping your mate over something that doesn’t happen that often.”

 Police have confirmed the toddler has been placed in safe care and is “going well”.

The woman appeared in a Brisbane court on Friday where she was denied bail.

She is next due in court later this month.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

TikTok officially went “dark” in the U.S. on Sunday, but has since been restored after President-Elect Trump said he would sign an executive order on Monday to delay the ban.

The app was banned due to national security concerns over potential data sharing between the app’s parent company ByteDance and the Chinese Government.

To avoid the ban, ByteDance needed to sell its U.S. operations to a non-Chinese entity. It did not do this.

The TikTok ban came into effect nine months after legislation passed the U.S. Congress with support from both Democrats and Republicans.

The ban also targets any social and digital media apps operated “directly or indirectly” by ByteDance.

Earlier this month, TikTok fronted the U.S’ highest court, the Supreme Court, in an attempt to overturn the ban.

Its lawyers argued the ban would result in “massive and unprecedented censorship” and cause many Americans to lose money.

TikTok estimated that within the first month of the ban, small businesses using the app could lose over $US1 billion in revenue, while content creators risk missing out on $US300 million.

The Supreme Court unanimously decided on Friday to uphold the ban.

Trump will officially become the U.S. President on Monday, one day after the law takes effect.

On Sunday, Trump said he will “issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security”.

This led to TikTok putting out a statement saying “TikTok is in the process of restoring service”.

“We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” it said.

It comes after Trump initially announced plans to ban TikTok in 2020, citing national security risks. However, in December, Trump said: “I now have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok.”

Reporting by Achol Arok.

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A team of researchers at the University of Illinois set up dozens of specialised microphones across North America to tune in to the sounds of small songbirds, known to travel solo and fly at night. After gathering more than 18,000 hours of audio, they discovered solitary migrating birds seem to call out to other species. Findings published in the journal Current Biology suggest birds are using their song to share information and warnings with other solitary songbirds. It’s believed by “staying in touch with other individuals”, birds also help each other “navigate more effectively”.

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Emma Gillespie.

Ever felt like your parents had a "favourite" child? New research suggests you might be onto something.

A study examining nearly 20,000 participants from the U.S., Europe, and Canada has found that parents are more likely to favour daughters over sons, and older children over younger siblings.

It also found kids who are more “conscientious and agreeable” often receive preferential treatment.

Favouritism comes at a cost, however. The study warns the emotional and social development of children who feel less valued may be negatively impacted.

Researchers say parents should be mindful of these patterns to avoid creating long-term family tensions.

Reporting by Rosa Bowden.

This week, Donald Trump is set to officially take office at the White House for the second time as U.S. President. As the dawn of a new chapter of one of the most powerful positions in the world begins, Sam and Billi are here to break down what to expect in the coming days, months and years.