1. Trump
Well well well. FBI Director James Comey has been told he will keep his job after all.
Comey's intervention in the election campaign, announcing in the dying weeks of the campaign that the FBI was launching a fresh investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, only to issue a no-status-change two days before polling day, was seen by Democrats as a game-changer in crystallising the turning of the tide against Clinton.
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Trump's first decision affects Australia
Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from the Trans Pacific Partnership but Trade minister Steve Ciobo says other countries will still try make it work. Courtesy ABC.
Trump had criticised Comey for not going hard enough on Clinton after the initial investigation concluded, with the FBI director chastising Clinton but not recommending any charges.
But now it emerges Comey has been assured his job is safe. [The New York Times]
Donald Trump is having another busy day signing executive orders. The President has cleared the way for the controversial Dakota Access and Keystone oil pipelines. [The Washington Post]
Earlier he met with auto industry representatives and told them he wanted to make the regulatory process easier for oil companies, criticising environmental polices as "out of control."
"We're going to make a very short process and we're going to either give you your permits or not going to give you your permits, but you're going to know very quickly.
"And generally speaking, we're going to give you your permits," the President said. [Peter Nicholas/The Wall Street Journal]
2. TPP
Interestingly at the end of that last report, Ford is cited as praising Trump's order withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.
Pro-trade Australia is picking up the baton dropped by the United States and is pushing hard for the TPP's future.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with Former Trade Minister Andrew Robb and Trade Minister Steve Ciobo. Photo: Louie Douvis
Trade Minister Steve Ciobo is advocating the so-called 12 minus one option (proceeding without the US as is), while former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, now High Commissioner to Britain, is suggesting an Asian nation sub in the for the US. [My report/Fairfax]
In other politics news:
Liberal Senator Dean Smith is advocating a reform-now-review-later approach to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act which currently makes it unlawful to "offend" or "insult" a person based on their race. [Op ed/The Australian]
China is now the single biggest coal-miner in Australia after Rio Tinto offloaded its New South Wales mines to Yancoal for $US2.5 billion. [Brian Robins/Fairfax]
3. Israel
A construction site in the Israeli-occupied West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim. Photo: AP
Israel is further flexing its muscle, emboldened by Trump's occupancy of the White House. The Defence Ministry has announced plans for a further 2,500 homes in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinians say the decision will "reinforce extremism." [Reuters]
4. Brexit ruling
British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street. Photo: Jack Taylor
Theresa May's government has suffered a loss in the Supreme Court with Britain's highest court ruling that the government must seek parliament's approval before triggering the formal process to leave the European Union, commonly referred to as Article 50. [Nick Miller/Fairfax]
At first blush this sound ominous but it's not, in fact it's actually good news for the government which I'll get to in just a sec.
Labour won't block Brexit as such so the government has the numbers in the Commons to trigger Article 50 in March, as May intends. But the government does now need to legislate to give itself the power to trigger Article 50. Brexit Minister David Davis told the Commons the legislation would be presented in coming days.
So what's good about this? Well the Supreme Court ruled that the British parliament doesn't need to go to the devolved administrations for approval - read Scotland. Really good analysis on this by Laura Kuenssberg. [BBC]
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants Scotland to stay in the EU despite the 'Brexit'. Photo: AP
Scotland opposed Brexit and voted in favour of Remain. The Brexit result plays into the SNP's hands as it agitates for a second referendum for Scottish independence.
The SNP lost the first referendum, partly because Westminster was successful in pointing out that leaving the UK would mean leaving the EU.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Supreme Court ruling showed Scotland's voice is being ignored hence a second referendum is needed. [Tom Peterkin/The Scotsman]
So short-term, it's a relief for the May government that it doesn't end up in the Scottish parliament but long-term there's still a way to go before we see just what effect Brexit has on the United Kingdom as an entity.
5. Mosul
Iraqi special forces advance inside Mosul University grounds during fighting against Islamic State militants in the eastern side of Mosul, Iraq. Photo: AP
As Iraqis make gains in Mosul against Islamic State, the humanitarian crisis worsens. The United Nations believes 750,000 people remain in the western part of the city, still held by ISIS. [Reuters]
6. Oscar nominations
Sunny Pawar as the little boy lost in India before he was adopted in Australia. Photo: Mark Rogers
This is my third Number Six devoted to Lion and with good reason. This wonderful true-life story of Indian-Australian adoptee Saroo Brierley tracking down his birth mother using Google Maps is up for six Oscars including Best Picture! But Lion faces fierce competition against La La Land. [Gary Maddox/Fairfax]
I am dying to see it. I missed the Australian premiere by just a few days sadly but my eldest sister Melissa - who still recalls feeding me a packet of chips the day I landed in Australia from India at when I was eight months old - went in my place with my 12-year old nephew.
They described it as "very upsetting and overwhelming" but inspiring in wanting to desperately want to make a difference for the 80,000 children that disappear in India every year. And with that I felt they summed up the heart-wrenching and confounding experience it is to visit and fall in love with India.
And that's it from me today, you can follow me on Facebook for more.