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Good morning!
New(ish) year, new(ish) us.
You’ll notice some changes in the newsletter below: We have a poll! We have a quick hit! We (still) have some good news!
Let us know what you think.
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “When this deal closes, we will own a theatrical distribution engine that is phenomenal and produces billions of dollars of theatrical revenue that we don’t want to put at risk.” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos announcing Warner Bros’ movies will be shown for 45 days in cinemas, if the streaming giant’s acquisition of the film company goes through. It followed concerns the company’s films would go straight to Netflix.
The stat: 18. The number of people killed in widespread wildfires in central and southern Chile on Sunday. Chile’s President Gabriel Boric has announced a state of catastrophe, with 500,000 people evacuated from the impacted regions.
The big question:
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
There have been three shark attacks in Sydney over the past two days. On Tuesday evening, a man was attacked by a shark near Manly Beach. He is in a critical condition. It came hours after an 11-year-old boy had his surfboard bitten by a shark at Dee Why, also on Sydney’s northern beaches. He was not injured in the incident. All beaches on the Northern Beaches are closed today until further notice. On Sunday, a 12-year-old boy was attacked near Shark Beach in Sydney’s east. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition, with police saying he’s “in for the fight of his life”.
Italian designer Valentino Garavani has died at home in Rome, his foundation says. Usually known only by his first name, Valentino was 93, and had retired in 2008. The foundation said in a statement posted on social media: "Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us but a true source of light, creativity and vision.” The funeral will be held on Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica.
Recommendation of the day
Half a bottle sitting in your fridge going off? Not anymore.
Poco Vino has cracked the code with perfectly portioned 187ml bottles that fit in your bag, stack in your esky, and pour exactly one glass.
With six different styles to try (Sauv Blanc, Rosé, Pinot Grigio, and more), these pocket-sized bottles are the perfect drink for picnics, park hangs and beach days over summer.
I’ve got 1 minute
The NSW Government will introduce a bill to make leaving dogs alone in hot cars illegal.
Penalties for the offence could include one year in prison or up to $44,000 in fines.
If passed, the bill would also ban prong collars and “address potential loopholes” in legislation covering animal fights.
The Government says it expects to introduce the bill in the first half of this year.
Bill
The new bill is aimed at “strengthen[ing] animal welfare protections” by making it a criminal offence to leave dogs alone in hot cars or on the back of utes.
This offence could carry a one year jail sentence or a fine up to $44,000, under the proposed bill.
The NSW RSPCA has received more than 500 reports of dogs being “locked in cars” over the last six years.
The bill would also outlaw the use or possession of prong collars, which stick metal spikes into a dog’s neck to discipline them.
These collars are already illegal in Victoria, Tasmania, and Queensland.
The Government says the bill will also “strengthen” animal fighting law.
People found guilty of involvement in animal fights would face a penalty of two years in jail or up to $110,000 in fines.
Comments
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said: “Leaving dogs in locked cars on hot days is not acceptable, and neither is the use of collars with prongs that spike into the necks of puppies and dogs.”
Shadow Agriculture Minister Brendan Moylan told TDA the Opposition hasn’t seen the bill, so does not yet have a position.
NSW Animal Welfare League CEO Stephen Albin said the bill “addresses some of the worst examples of animal cruelty.”
Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, we talk about the new hate speech and gun control legislation being debated in Federal Parliament today.
💶 We’re working on an explainer for TDA’s Finance newsletter that looks at why players at this year’s Australian Open are pushing for better pay and conditions. You can sign up to TDA Finance here to make sure that explainer is in your inbox on Wednesday morning.
Sun fact of the day
High UV doesn’t always feel strong.
Even when it’s cloudy or cool, the UV can damage your skin – Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide.
*Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.
I’ve got 2 minutes
U.S. President Donald Trump has invited world leaders to join a ‘Board of Peace’ overseeing Gaza.
The Board was first announced as part of the U.S-proposed 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is one of the world leaders invited, telling the ABC on Monday morning he will consider the offer.
What is the Board of Peace, and who else has been invited to join it?
Background
In September 2025, Trump unveiled a 20-point plan for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas agreed to the plan the following month, and the UN Security Council (which includes the U.S.) adopted it at their November meeting.
Among the points was the creation of the Board of Peace, to be headed and chaired by Trump.
The Security Council called the Board a “transitional administration” to “set the framework, and coordinate funding for, the redevelopment of Gaza”.
Structure
Under the Board are two executive bodies: the Gaza Executive Board (GEB) and the founding Executive Board (EB).
Trump has so far named his son-in-law Jared Kushner, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and former UK PM Tony Blair to the EB. Kushner and Blair are also on the GEB.
On 16 January, the White House issued a statement saying the EB appointees have “experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy.”
The GEB will oversee the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) — an interim government for Gaza, which the ceasefire proposal says will consist of “qualified Palestinians and international experts”.
Last week, the NCAG met for the first time in Cairo. It is led by Dr Ali Sha’ath, a former advisor in the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank.
In a joint statement, authorities from Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye said the committee’s formation is “an important development”.
Membership
This week, Trump invited world leaders including Albanese, Canadian PM Mark Carney, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to join the BoP.
Bloomberg reports the BoP charter allows membership for three years, unless members contribute $US1 billion ($AU1.5 billion) to stay on.
Speaking to ABC Radio Sydney on Monday morning, Albanese said he “received correspondence” about the proposal on Sunday, saying the Government would consider all of these approaches respectfully and through our proper processes.”
In a statement, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he “welcomes” Trump’s efforts “to complete the implementation of his peace plan... including the establishment of the Board of Peace”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the appointments to the BoP and executive boards.
Netanyahu said the decision “was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.”
Gaza update
On 15 January, the Palestinian Authority reported 1,244 violations of the ceasefire in Gaza since 10 October, including alleged shooting and bombings killing at least 449 people.
Last month, Netanyahu said Hamas “continues to violate the ceasefire and President Trump’s 20 point plan.”
The Times of Israel reports three Israeli Defense Force soldiers have been killed in Gaza since 10 October.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
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Give me some good news
The world’s first legally binding treaty to protect marine life in international waters has come into effect over the weekend.
The treaty covers all oceans that are beyond national waters, which is about two-thirds of the ocean’s surface. The United Nations said the landmark treaty follows nearly 20 years of negotiations and is designed to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. 81 nations have ratified the treaty so far.
Reporting by Emma Gillespie.
TDA titbit
Image credit: Jarred Walker
Over the weekend, tuna fans descended on Port Lincoln, South Australia, for the 61st annual Tunarama Festival.
The hottest event of the festival is the ‘Tuna Toss’, where festivalgoers compete to see who can throw a plastic 10kg tuna the farthest.
The winner of the 2026 men’s Tuna Toss was 20-year-old Adelaide local Logoh Tligi, throwing the tuna just over 24 metres.
The winner of the women’s division was Queenslander Althea Mackie. She threw the tuna over 11 metres, securing her fourth Tuna Toss win.
Consider TDA o-fish-ally hooked 😉!
Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.
TDA asks
