68 m. ago Madison Keys gets Australian Open title defence off to jittery start

American beats Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-6 (8), 6-1 Last year’s winner recovers after losing first four games A nervy Madison Keys got the defence of her Australian Open crown off to a stuttering start, losing the first four games before rallying to stay in the title hunt.The American ninth seed was a bundle of nerves on Rod Laver Arena, but calmed down to clinch a 7-6 (8), 6-1 win over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Australians must demand that their cultural custodians uphold freedom of speech | Margaret Simons

As we have seen after Adelaide writers’ week, defending the right of people to speak, even when we deeply disagree with them, is very, very difficultIs there a way forward for Australia’s cultural life after the cancellation of the 2026 Adelaide writers’ week and all the other controversies played out over the past year, in which the custodians of our culture seem to have crumbled under pressure, only to kinda, sorta and belatedly rally?I hope so, but it will take a more than rhetorical reflection on what we mean by freedom of speech, and what it requires of us. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Maya Joint falls at first hurdle as Tereza Valentová scores Australian Open upset

Australian No 30 seed defeated 6-4, 6-4 in 92 minutesJoint was first seeded Australian woman since Ash Barty in 2022Maya Joint, the top-ranked local in the Australian Open women’s singles draw, crashed out in the first round on Tuesday after losing in straight sets to Czech teenager Tereza Valentová.Valentová made the most of an inconsistent display from the 30th seed, winning 6-4, 6-4 in 92 minutes. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Common health condition you may not know is 'linked to heart disease and diabetes'

Experts have discussed making changes to NHS pricing

Science

2 h. ago After four shark attacks in 48 hours, NSW authorities urge beachgoers ‘just go to a pool’

Surfer taken to hospital with minor injuries after latest shark attack at Point Plomer beach on mid-north coastFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA surfer has been taken to hospital after being bitten by a shark off the coast of a New South Wales national park campground, the state’s fourth incident in 48 hours.The local health district said the man, 39, was in hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries. The attack took place near the Point Plomer campground, less than 20km up the coast from Port Macquarie, on Tuesday morning. Continue reading...

Events

2 h. ago Everton star Jack Grealish at war with council over plans to change status of woodland behind his £5.6m mansion to a 'garden' as bosses fear it could open door for new building projects

Jack Grealish, 30, plans to extend the garden of his home near Knutsford because he 'loves growing vegetables' - but local bosses warned it could prompt a slew of building projects in the area.

Economics

2 h. ago Donald Trump shown on big screen at 2026 CFP Championship as crowd has loud reaction

US President Donald Trump faced mixed reactions from crowds at the 2026 College Football Play-off Championship in Miami, with boos and cheers erupting when he appeared on screen during the national anthem before the Miami Hurricanes vs Indiana Hoosiers game

Politics

3 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says military innovation will ‘transform’ air defences

President says air force’s new system involves ‘mobile fire groups’ and interceptor drones as he warns of fresh Russian attacks ahead. What we know on day 1,427Ukraine’s armed forces are introducing a new facet of air defence, made up of small groups deploying interceptor drones, as the country braces for new mass Russian attacks, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Monday. Ukraine is still reeling from a wave of Russian strikes earlier this month that knocked out power and heating to thousands of apartment blocks in freezing temperatures, particularly in the capital, and Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for air defences to be strengthened. “There will be a new approach to the use of air defences by the air force, concerning mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and other ‘short-range’ air defence assets,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly video address. “The system will be transformed.” Zelenskyy announced the appointment of a new deputy air force commander, Pavlo Yelizarov, to o...

Events

3 h. ago Intense geomagnetic storms could make auroras visible in southern US

Major disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field may make northern lights visible far more south than usualThe aurora could be visible across Canada and much of the northern tier of US states on Monday night, and possibly even further south, following a major disturbance in the Earth’s magnetic field, a forecast shows.The forecast, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s space weather prediction center, comes amid intense geomagnetic and solar radiation storms, said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at the center. Continue reading...

Events

3 h. ago Tereza Valentova v Maya Joint: Australian Open first round – live

Updates as Australia’s No 30 seed takes on the Czech player‘I don’t want to be a punching bag’ – retirements mar dramatic dayAny thoughts? Get in touch with an emailIt’s crowd record after crowd record in Melbourne. Will day three continue the trend?Here comes the Ginger Ninja* in hot pink from head to toe plus those trademark sunnies. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed cancer across UK, study finds

Cancer charity highlights apparent ‘postcode lottery’ of testing and diagnoses across different regions seen in studyProstate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer across the UK, surpassing breast cancer, according to a leading charity.There were 64,425 diagnoses of prostate cancer in 2022, an analysis of NHS figures by Prostate Cancer UK found, and 61,640 new cases of breast cancer. Continue reading...

Science

4 h. ago Civil servants too often used as 'scapegoats for political failure', top minister warns

In a speech setting out his vision for Whitehall, the Prime Minister's Chief Secretary Darren Jones will say officials are just as frustrated at as ministers by the 'pace of change'

Events

4 h. ago ‘The struggle continues’: MLK Day celebrated amid tense political climate

Holiday marked with parades and services but tempered by anxieties over racial and social equality under TrumpMartin Luther King Jr Day was marked with parades and services across the US on Monday. But the celebration for the achievements of the slain 60s civil rights leader was tempered by contemporary anxieties over racial and social equality and Trump administration’s crackdown in Minneapolis.At a rally in Harlem, the Rev Al Sharpton referred to Renee Good, the 37-year-old mother of three who was killed by an immigration officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago The 2016 trend on social media is giving me absolute chills. But could it be the cure for this new

Millennial pink hair. Thigh-high boots styled with T-shirt dresses. Dare we even mention the Harambe of it all?Lately, you’d easily believe we’ve travelled back into a sepia-toned, bygone era. Social media has been inundated with grainy images of purple sunsets, selfies adorned with flower crowns and outfits that largely consist of ripped jeans, plastic chokers and olive-green utility jackets.Where the hell am I? And what year is it? Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Australia’s largest coal power plant to operate an extra two years to support national grid

Life of Eraring power station in Lake Macquarie extended to April 2029, Origin Energy saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s largest coal-fired power plant, Eraring, will stay open for an extra two years until 2029, amid concerns about the national energy grid’s ability to support demand ahead of the station’s planned retirement.The operator of the plant in Lake Macquarie, Origin Energy, had previously agreed a deal with the New South Wales government to extend Eraring’s closure from 2025 to August 2027. While the state environment minister said the new extension would contribute to NSW’s emissions reductions, climate advocates described it as a “disaster” for emissions targets. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Battlefield 6 update 1.1.3.5 patch notes, release time and all the big changes

Battlefield 6 Season 2 may have been delayed, but that hasn't stopped the developer from releasing a major new update for consoles and PC.

Events

5 h. ago Water firms could be let off pollution fines as part of government overhaul

Exclusive: Campaigners claim changes will let companies ‘off the hook’, as government prepares to unveil new white paper for water industryWater companies could be let off fines for polluting the environment under changes announced in the government’s new white paper.The environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, hailed the changes as “once-in-a-generation reforms” featuring “tough oversight, real accountability and no more excuses”. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago UK ministers launch consultation into whether to ban social media for under

Move comes as peers prepare to vote on an amendment to a bill that would enact a ban within a year of the bill passingMinisters have launched a consultation into whether to ban under-16s from using social media as part of a package of measures designed to curb mobile phone use among young people.Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, announced the consultation on Monday as the government responds to mounting pressure for stricter curbs on social media use for younger teenagers. On Monday afternoon, Esther Ghey, the mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, became the latest high profile figure to add her name to those in support of a ban. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago UK ministers launch consultation on whether to ban social media for under

Move comes as peers prepare to vote on an amendment to a bill that would enact a ban within a year of the bill passingMinisters have launched a consultation into whether to ban under-16s from using social media as part of a package of measures designed to curb mobile phone use among young people.Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, announced the consultation on Monday as the government responds to mounting pressure for stricter curbs on social media use for younger teenagers. On Monday afternoon, Esther Ghey, the mother of the murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, became the latest high profile figure to add her name to those in support of a ban. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Major change means water firms have 'nowhere to hide' after disasters

Water companies will be left with 'nowhere to hide' as ministers unveil major plans to overhaul the industry after years of soaring bills, supply issues and sewage pollution

Events