Elon Musk heaps praise on AfD’s Alice Weidel during live talk on X

X owner and far-right politician appear to agree on everything, as Musk faces accusations of meddling in German election

Elon Musk has praised the co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland party, as he repeated his claim that “only the AfD can save Germany” during a controversial live talk on his social media platform X.

The virtual encounter between Musk and Alice Weidel on Thursday took place amid growing criticism over the US billionaire’s vocal support of far-right, anti-establishment parties across Europe, and accusations he is meddling in the campaign for Germany’s 23 February election.

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Italian mayor vows to stop sale of Neapolitan islet to wealthy speculator

Bacoli mayor says his administration wants to buy Punta Pennata and turn it into an ‘open-air museum’

An Italian mayor has vowed to do everything in his power to stop Punta Pennata – a slice of island paradise close to the heart of Naples, from where a fleet departed to rescue survivors of the AD79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius – being sold to a wealthy speculator.

Located within the pristine waters of Bacoli, a fishing town located in the vast volcanic area of the Campi Flegrei, and described as a “historical and natural gem”, the strip of land was put up for sale to the highest bidder this week.

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BBC reporter surrounded by LA fire destruction

Emma Vardy assesses the damage along Pacific Coast Highway, as winds continue to worsen the fires in the area.

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Australia news live: $50m incentive to encourage EV switch; rescuers to debrief Kosciuszko hiker after hospital stay

Energy minister Chris Bowen will anounce the scheme for farmers and truck companies today. Follow today’s news live

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Thanks to Martin Farrer for kicking off the blog this morning.

I’ll be rolling your news updates through the day – let’s get into it.

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Death of Jean-Marie Le Pen reignites succession tussle between Marine and her niece

Marion Maréchal, Jean-Marie’s grand-daughter, has positioned herself further to the right of her aunt Marine Le Pen, who has attempted to ‘de-demonise’ the National Rally

The death of Jean-Marie Le Pen looked likely to reignite rivalries in his family over who is the rightful heir to the far-right political dynasty, as the French government condemned as “simply shameful” crowds of people who took to the streets to celebrate the politician’s demise.

Marine Le Pen, daughter of the National Rally co-founder and leader of the far-right party she has rebranded as the anti-immigration National Rally, on Wednesday paid tribute to her father, who died the previous day at the age of 96.

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Strasbourg court finds Greece guilty of ‘systematic’ pushback of asylum seekers

In ‘potentially trailblazing’ decision, European court of human rights finds country engaging in illicit deportations

The European court of human rights has found Greece guilty of conducting “systematic” pushbacks of would-be asylum seekers, ordering it to compensate a woman forcibly expelled back to Turkey despite her attempts to seek protection in the country.

In a judgment described as potentially trailblazing, the Strasbourg-based tribunal awarded the complainant damages of €20,000 (£16,500), citing evidence that the frontline EU state was engaging in the illicit deportations when she was removed.

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Europe leaders criticise Musk attacks

Although some of Europe's leaders have found favour with the billionaire, others are worried by his interventions.

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Trump threatens "very high" tariffs on Denmark over Greenland

Donald Trump also vows to change the Gulf of Mexico's name and repeats promises to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

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Trump asks court to postpone sentencing ahead of inauguration

Trump's lawyers said they would appeal the decision as sentencing in his New York criminal case looms

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Australia news live: Albanese says nuclear power poses $872bn threat to Queensland economy; Littleproud gives election date tips

Labor analysis claims Queensland will be $1tn worse off by 2050 with Coalition reactors. Follow today’s news live

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Nationals leader David Littleproud says “the firing gun has started” for this year’s federal election, which he predicts will be in March or April.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast just earlier, he said he doesn’t think the government will deliver a budget this year:

I think we’re all ready for it. I think it will be in March, April, I don’t think they’ll do a budget, they don’t want to remind the Australian people with the sea of red ink in the budget. That’s my punt.

This road is of national significance but it’s also one of the most dangerous in our country. And I think it just needs a commitment, and we’re glad to see the government has finally adopted that, one we had, and one the state government can now get on with the job of delivering.

Labor can make up all the nonsense they like. They’re desperate. I mean, this is a government that’s been on the back foot, that got things wrong, that is sending Australians on a pathway to poverty, not a pathway to prosperity. And so they’re in a state of desperation, saying these sorts of things.

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