Rapper Snoop Dogg has seemingly ended his feud with former US President Donald Trump during an interview with the Sunday Times. Despite many years of criticising Trump and his supporters, it seems the rapper has had a change of heart when asked about the former president. “Donald Trump? He ain’t done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me. He pardoned Michael Harris, so I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump,” he said. Michael Harris was a former associate of record label Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight and had received a prison sentence of 25 years to life but was pardoned after serving 30 years. Harris was imprisoned for drug trafficking and attempted murder. Trump’s decision to pardon Harris, along with 69 others, was praised by Snoop Dogg at the time when he spoke to the New York Times, saying: “I love what they did”. “That’s great work for the president and his team on the way out,” he said.

Sky News US Analyst Michael Ware says the death of US servicemen in Jordan is “an expansion of the war” and potentially makes it “much more inflammatory” in America. Mr Ware’s comments come after three US servicemen had been killed and at least 34 others injured in a drone attack on an army base near the Jordan-Syria border. The attack is believed to have happened at an army outpost called Tower 22 in northeast Jordan, with the US claiming Iranian-backed radical militants are responsible. “If this was in Jordan, that opens up yet another front in this proxy war,” Mr Ware told Sky News Australia. “I’m already counting eight or nine fronts in this war. “This is an expansion of the war and potentially makes it much more inflammatory in America.”

Manager of Opposition Business Paul Fletcher says Labor’s changes to the stage three tax cuts are a “real failure” for tax reform. Labor has decided to break its election promise on stage three tax cuts following an emergency caucus meeting last week to address Australia’s cost of living crisis. “The stage three tax cuts were part of a structured plan to achieve meaningful tax reform,” he told Sky News Australia. “Very much designed to encourage aspirational Australians, to encourage activity and productivity in our economy. “It is very disappointing to see that fundamental aspect of this reform just completely junked by Anthony Albanese based upon short-term political imperatives.”

Former White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney says things just go “from bad to worse” for former US president Donald Trump in court in the US state of New York. A US jury has found Mr Trump must pay more than $US83 million to E. Jean Carroll in a defamation trial. The jury decided that the former president should pay $US18.3 million in compensatory damages and $US65 million in punitive damages. “I don’t think Donald Trump will be hurt at all in the polls,” Mr Mulvaney told Sky News Australia. “And, as usual, it might him just a little bit.”

Nationals Leader David Littleproud has criticised the Labor government, saying they have brought in this “class warfare” with their changes to the stage three tax cuts. “The reforms that were put in place were the final stages of giving everyone a fair go and making sure that we had a better tax system,” he told Sky News Australia. “Why wouldn’t you have left the taxation reform instead of pitting one Australian against the other because of their job? “Rather than actually having this class warfare that Labor has brought in. “He’s already divided the country in the Voice – did he have to do it again?”

Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says there’s “a lot of spin” around the Albanese government’s decision to change stage three tax cuts. Labor has decided to break an election promise following an emergency caucus meeting last week by making changes to the stage three tax cuts amid a cost of living crisis in Australia. “If you’re going to break a promise like that, I’d be giving people $40 a week at the middle and end, to be honest with you,” Mr Clennell said. “Then they actually feel it, they notice it, and the other problem with it, of course, is it’s not until July. “Politically, it certainly isn’t the smoothest or best solution.”

Nationals Leader David Littleproud says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is “dividing” Australians on “what you earn” with his changes to the stage-three tax cuts. Mr Littleproud says this is a “broken promise” from the Prime Minister. “This announcement does nothing to address the drivers of inflation,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia. “All it’s done is pit one Australian against the other. “He’s divided the country already on a Voice referendum ... now it’s about dividing our country on what you earn."

The Federal Government will slash 90-thousand international student visas this financial year, Victoria’s Coalition proposes a Suburban Rail Loop review, Queensland school kids have been caught with drugs and weapons, South Australia has been named the best performing economy in Australia, Western Australia will introduce free public transport for all school students, Labor has ignored warnings about the UNRWA's links to Hamas, and a Houthi drone has been shot down by UK navy in the Red Sea. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Joe Biden has claimed Donald Trump is the current US President as the confused 81-year-old stumbled on his words in a recent public address. The President ripped into Trump during a speech at a Democratic Party dinner in South Carolina on Saturday evening (local time). "I apologise for losing my temper, but it really, really, really, offends me," Biden said. "In recent weeks, we're starting to see real evidence that American consumers are facing real confidence in their economy we're building. Let me tell you who else is noticing: Donald Trump. Did you see what he recently said about he wants to see the economy crash this year? Sitting president. As they say in my faith, bless me father for, I mean, come on, man." The verbal slip-up from President Joe Biden went viral online with many Americans calling out his long history of gaffes. Biden appeared heated during moments of his speech when he mentioned his Republican presidential rival.

Australian actress Margot Robbie will return to Queensland to receive the Trailblazer Award at the AACTA Awards next month. The 'Barbie' Actress is receiving the country's most coveted acting award for her contribution to the film industry as an actor and producer. Ms Robbie says she is honoured to receive the award in her hometown of the Gold Coast. The award comes after Robbie and 'Barbie' director Greta Gerwig missed out on individual Oscar nominations. The AACTAs will be held on the Gold Coast for the first time on February 10.

A Japanese monkey is on the loose in Scotland after escaping its zoo enclosure. The creature escaped Highland Wildlife Park on Sunday morning (local time). It’s been spotted stealing nuts from bird feeders and hanging off garden fences. Staff at the Highland Wildlife Park are advising the public not to approach the Japanese Macaques. A team has been set up by the park’s charity to safely secure the monkey.

The Courier Mail has reported four out of five low-income families in Queensland cannot afford the basics. It comes as essential item costs continues to increase in the state. Petrol, electricity, bread and milk prices have risen by more than 10 per cent in the 12 months to August last year. It's causing families to fall further into debt every year by more than $10,000. People seeking support from homelessness have increased by 40 per cent of the past three years.

South Australia has been named the best performing economy in Australia. The state has overtaken Victoria to claim the top spot for the first time since the 'State of the States' report began 15 years ago. CommSec has recognised South Australia for its economic growth and boosts to construction work and dwelling starts. Victoria ranked equal second alongside New South Wales. Western Australia came in third place on the list.

Duck hunting is set to continue in Victoria despite calls for the practice to be banned. Victoria’s government is expected to reject a proposal to ban duck hunting in the state. The Age reports state cabinet will instead review changes to the upcoming duck hunting season. A parliamentary inquiry recommended the practice be stopped due to environmental issues. The inquiry also cited animal welfare concerns and decreasing population numbers as the reason for its decision.

Sky News host Paul Murray says “Invasion Day” protests this year were joined by Palestinian protests but the majority of Australians went about their business “quietly”. “Yeah, okay, I’ll talk about the Invasion Day thing,” Mr Murray said. “I want to talk about it through a slightly different way than most people talk about this stuff. “Now obviously I can’t tell you what every person was thinking in the crowd, but the signs were pretty obvious – to unsettle the colony. “The twist this year was that the Palestinian flag was just as prominent as the Indigenous flag in many protests – while I do not doubt the passion and the want for dramatic change – it is obviously not true that it is the majority … view of Australians.”

The Royal Family is in a “political minefield” but King Charles is not in a position to shirk away from his duties and likely wants to be seen as a “hard worker”, News.com.au Entertainment Reporter Bronte Coy says. “It is a political minefield at the moment, these overseas visits,” Ms Coy told Sky News host Caroline Di Russo. “Charles is not in a position – to be seen to be shirking away from anything he has planned to do. “Most of them have seen the light in that you need to look into it and make at least some comment around the issue rather than be seen to be hiding away. “I think he will continue to want to show up and be seen to be that hard worker and someone who gets out there, he came onto the throne as an older man – I think he’s going to want to be seen to be really hard at work.”

Each British royal visit around the globe in coming years is likely to spark “increasing cynicism” toward colonialism, Sky News host Caroline Di Russo says. “Harry and Meghan, on a visit to Jamaica were photographed with its Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who, in 2022, during William and Kate’s visit, told the visiting royals that Jamaica was ‘moving on’ and intended to become a republic,” Ms Di Russo said. “Whether there is anything instructive in the meeting between Harry and the Jamaican PM is up for debate. “Anyone aware of the background will find it at least a little bit curious. “Against that backdrop of increasing cynicism towards colonialism, each royal visit will have its own political sensitivities and perception challenges.”

The global chairman of Toyota Akio Toyoda has said that battery-powered electric cars will only account for 30 per cent of the future auto industry at most. Mr Toyoda said that the rest of the market is going to be taken up by hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells and fuel-burning cars. Mr Toyoda added that the market should be determined by customers and not "regulatory values or political power". Sky News host Caleb Bond discussed Toyota's latest prediction on electric cars. Mr Bond said Australia needs a "reality check" as the government continues to push electric cars onto consumers despite the technology and demand not being there compared to hybrids and fuel-burning cars to meet its net zero target.

Sky News host Danica De Giorgio warns nothing will satisfy activists who want to change the date of Australia Day as they want people to feel “ashamed” of being proud of their nation. Thousands of people gathered for Invasion Day rallies across the country on Friday with banners reading “Treaty now”. Ms De Giorgio warned people sense of national pride is “under attack” and just the mention of Australia Day makes the woke “shudder and panic”. “They won't stop. Nothing will satisfy these activists, not now and not in the future,” she said. “They want us to believe we should feel ashamed. Ashamed to be proud Australians. “Ashamed to live in the best country in the world.”

Any future president of the US will have to face the “number one challenge” which is America’s adversaries seeing the country’s leadership as weak, former US Army Vice Chief of Staff General Jack Keane says. “The number one challenge the United States is facing is clearly our inability to deter our adversaries,” General Keane told Sky News host Danica De Giorgio. “China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, they have all stepped up aggression in the last two to three years. “What is happening, is our adversaries fundamentally believe the United States leadership is weak, that we’ve lost our political will and resolve to deter them. “As such, they see opportunity, and they are exploiting this vulnerability to their advantage.”