Drake and livestreamer Adin Ross accused of using online casino money to artificially inflate streams in class action case 05. January 2026 (07:50) US class action alleges Stake’s anonymised design enabled rapper to fund automated streams on music platformsDrake and American livestreamer Adin Ross have been accused in a US civil case of using online casino money to pay for automated streams in a bid to artificially inflate the singer’s royalties and popularity on music streaming platforms. No one has been charged criminally with regard to the allegations in the lawsuit.Two women in the US state Virginia have filed a class action seeking US$5m from e-casino Stake.com, the celebrities and another Australian internet personality for alleged breaches of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) and consumer protection laws. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Teenage boy who survived Hillcrest jumping castle tragedy killed in ebike accident in Tasmania 05. January 2026 (07:41) Lucas Reid, 15, remembered for ‘resilience and optimism’ after bike crash near Devonport on New Year’s EveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA teenage boy who survived the 2021 Hillcrest jumping castle incident was killed in an ebike accident on New Year’s Eve.Lucas Reid, 15, lost control of the bike and hit a pole outside Devonport, Tasmania, at about 7.30pm on Wednesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Parliament to be recalled early as Labor seeks to crack down on ‘hate preachers’ and fund gun buybacks 05. January 2026 (07:28) Coalition gearing up to intensify campaign for royal commission into antisemitism but may be split on tighter gun controlsThe federal parliament will be recalled early as the Albanese government seeks to rush through laws to crack down on “hate preachers” and fund a national gun buyback scheme in the wake of the Bondi beach alleged terrorist attack.But the government is resisting calls for a royal commission into antisemitism, as the Coalition prepares to use parliament’s return to intensify the campaign for an inquiry. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rise in holiday measles infections sparks health alerts in NSW, SA and Victoria 05. January 2026 (07:21) Cases of the highly contagious virus jumped nearly threefold in 2025 as immunisation rates declinedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastHealth authorities across Australia are on high alert as measles cases rise across the country, fuelled by summer international travel and a decline in childhood vaccination rates.Data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has found that for the first time in 10 years, Australia’s early childhood vaccination coverage has slipped below the critical 95% threshold required for herd immunity. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NSW residents urged to check if they are owed share of $300m in unclaimed money 05. January 2026 (07:12) Millions of dollars held by Revenue NSW includes uncashed cheques, refunds and other payments owed to individuals who may have died or changed addressGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales residents are being urged to check if they are owed some of the $300m sitting in Revenue NSW’s unclaimed money pool.The pool includes funds from overpayments, uncashed cheques, dividends, refunds, and other amounts owed to individuals the government has not been able to contact. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
GMB union in fresh turmoil over claims by senior female leaders 05. January 2026 (07:00) Exclusive: union facing claim for unfair dismissal from one of two women who complained of bullying and harassmentThe GMB trade union is facing fresh turmoil over claims made by two of its female senior leadership team, as it heads towards a crucial general secretary election this year.The infighting at a senior level comes as Gary Smith, the union’s general secretary, faces a potential battle to retain his job in May. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mickey Rourke launches fundraiser to pay $60,000 in rent after threat of eviction 05. January 2026 (06:12) The 73-year-old Oscar-nominated actor was issued with an eviction notice in DecemberMickey Rourke has turned to fundraising to pay the US$59,100 (£44,000, A$89,000) he allegedly owes in rent, after being sued by his landlord and facing eviction from his Los Angeles home.The 73-year-old actor, who was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe for his performance in the 2008 drama The Wrestler, has approved a GoFundMe page launched by Liya-Joelle Jones, a friend and member of Rourke’s management team. At time of writing, the fundraiser had raised US$33,000 of its US$100,000 goal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ban on TV junk food advertising before 9pm comes into force in UK 05. January 2026 (06:00) Watchdog will also monitor online ban for high fat and sugar products as part of wider effort to tackle childhood obesityA ban on junk food advertising on TV before 9pm and a total ban online has come into force as the government attempts to tackle the childhood obesity crisis.Under the rules, which will be enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) 13 categories of products can no longer be advertised on TV before the watershed or at any time online. The banned products are high in fat, sugar and salt. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump ousts Venezuela’s President – podcast 05. January 2026 (04:00) The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, was captured, flown to the US and is facing trial in New York. What does it mean for the country – and the world?In the early hours of Saturday morning, scenes unfolded on the streets of the Venezuelan capital Caracas that could have come from a blockbuster movie. The power was cut, explosions ripped through the city and the US military swept in. The country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, was snatched from his home … and from power.For months Trump has been waging a maximum pressure campaign against Maduro. He accused him of being responsible for drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the US. A huge naval armada was moved to the Caribbean and fishing boats were attacked. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labor wants US to ‘set out the facts’ before passing judgment on Trump’s capture of Maduro 05. January 2026 (02:30) Nationals leader David Littleproud warns against prolonged Iraq-style operation in VenezuelaGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian government says it is waiting for the United States to “set out the facts” on the operation to capture the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro.The Labor minister Tim Ayres on Monday stressed the importance of international law after the US military intervention. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
