ABC News Daily

The United States has deployed 15,000 troops and sent warships to the Caribbean in the biggest military build-up there since the Cuban Missile Crisis. It follows months of deadly US strikes on boats from Venezuela it says are smuggling drugs. Today, Latin America expert Orlando Pérez from the University of North Texas on why Donald Trump is turning up the pressure on Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro and why toppling him won’t be easy. Featured:  Orlando J. Pérez, Professor of Political Science at the University of North Texas in Dallas

There’s a secret US-led plan to end the war in Ukraine, but it reportedly asks a lot of the country that’s been invaded by Russia.  Media reports suggest the plan would see Ukraine would give up land, reduce the size of its army, relinquish weapons and make Russian an official state language.  At the same time, Putin’s forces have launched new strikes on Ukrainian cities and a Russian spy ship off the coast of Scotland is causing concern.  Today, Matthew Sussex, a visiting fellow at the ANU’s Centre for European Studies on why prospects for peace are looking dim.  Featured:  Matthew Sussex, visiting fellow at the Australian National University’s Centre for European Studies

The remaining Epstein files are finally set to be released after a vote in US Congress and a shift in the US President’s position.  Despite dismissing calls to release files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for months, Donald Trump reversed course when it became clear a bill to compel the release would pass in the US House of Representatives.  Today, David A Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, on how Trump was backed into a corner and what it says about his leadership and support among his MAGA base. Featured:  David A Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic

Asbestos is highly carcinogenic, is banned and can’t be imported in Australia.  But in the last week it’s been found in various children’s coloured sand products from China, causing a major alarm across the community.  The discovery has led to the closure of dozens of schools and products have been recalled from stores including Kmart, Target and Officeworks. Today, Associate Professor Anthony Linton from the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute on the health risks the sand poses and why every state is dealing with it differently. Featured:  Anthony Linton, academic and research director at the Asbestos and Dust Diseases Research Institute

The Liberals and Nationals have now officially dumped the net zero emission target from their climate and energy policy.  It keeps the Coalition together, but what do voters think?  Today, pollster, former Labor strategist and director of the RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras on whether it’s a winning strategy. Featured:  Kos Samaras, director of the RedBridge Group

Donald Trump’s been all over the place with his tariffs, but the US is now bringing in billions of dollars in revenue from them. Months since the tariffs were first announced and after dire warnings from economists, how is the American economy really faring?  Today, Penny Goldberg, professor of economics at Yale University, on why the US economy hasn’t yet seen a major downturn and the dark clouds in the longer term outlook.  Featured: Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, Professor of Economics at Yale University and fmr Chief Economist at the World Bank Group

How is it that a neo-Nazi rally targeting Jewish people was allowed to take place on the steps of the New South Wales parliament?  Why is it that the same group of people, who want a 'white Australia', could be allowed to form a political party? Today, extremism expert Josh Roose explains the tactics neo-Nazi groups are using to skirt the law and continue to build their brand.  He outlines why even a liberal democracy where extremism is often tolerated, it might be time to think about ways to ban the movement.  Featured:  Josh Roose, extremism expert and an associate professor in politics at Deakin University

More than one million workers sent home or working without pay, the poorest Americans left hungry and travel plans thrown into chaos. The longest government shutdown in American history is coming to an end, more than 40 days after it began.  Today, political scientist Charles Hunt from Boise State University on why a small group of Democrats ended up giving Donald Trump what he wanted. Featured:  Charles Hunt, associate professor of political science at Boise State University

We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 2025 ABC News Daily Audience Survey Donald Trump wants to sue a media organisation - again.  This time he’s threatening a US $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC, capping off one of the worst weeks in the British public broadcaster’s history. Both the corporation’s director-general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness have resigned following criticism over the editing of a January 6th speech by US President Donald Trump. Today, Monica Attard, professor of journalism at the University of Technology Sydney and former ABC journalist, on what’s unfolded and attacks on public broadcasters.  Featured:  Monica Attard, professor of journalism at the University of Technology Sydney and former ABC journalist

Has US President Donald Trump actually brought an end to the war in Gaza? After months of negotiations there’s been a breakthrough, with Hamas agreeing to release the remaining Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of a peace deal. Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on what we know so far, and whether this could be the end to hostilities. Featured:  Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York

Donald Trump says America is in armed conflict with drug cartels. The US President has ordered the military to strike “narco-terrorists” in boats off the Venezuela coast, with no questions asked. Today, Rachel VanLandingham, a former active-duty judge advocate in the US Air Force and law professor at Southwestern Law School in LA, on just how scary that is. Featured:  Rachel VanLandingham, former judge advocate in the US Air Force and law professor at Southwestern Law School