Maduro jailed in New York after audacious raid and capture – live 04. January 2026 (08:56) Nicolás Maduro is expected to make an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday, according to officialsFull report: Trump says US will ‘run’ VenezuelaExplained: Is there legal justification for the US attack on Venezuela?Images from news agencies show how Saturday’s dramatic events unfolded in the US.Some took to the streets to condemn the bombing of Venezuela, with protesters holding signs that said “No blood for oil”, and rallying in locations including Times Square and outside the White House.
Others, however, celebrated. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Police call off separate searches for missing teen boy and another man off two Sydney beaches 04. January 2026 (07:33) Decision comes after six people died along Australia’s eastern coastline during a horror New Year periodGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastEmergency services have suspended separate searches for a teenage boy and a male swimmer in waters off Sydney amid a horror New Year period on Australian beaches.On Sunday afternoon, New South Wales police said search and rescue operations had been suspended in the search for a 16-year-old boy who was a passenger in a boat that capsized off Palm Beach on New Year’s Eve. A 47-year-old man died in that incident. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sex object, animal rights activist, racist: the paradox that was Brigitte Bardot 04. January 2026 (07:00) A fantasy figure for men and women, a victim of press intrusion, a defender of animals … the French actor was also a mouthpiece for racial hatred whose views grew uglier over timeBrigitte Bardot inspired many fantasies, from the wanton, panting reveries of assorted French auteurs in the 1950s and 60s, to the perky-nippled bust created in 1969 as a model for Marianne, the embodiment of the French Republic itself.With her death on 28 December, another more contemporary Bardot illusion was shattered. The singer Chappell Roan, responding to Bardot’s passing at 91, posted a photo of the actor in her beehived prime on Instagram, saying she had inspired her song Red Wine Supernova and writing": “Rest in peace Ms Bardot.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘This is business as usual’: boss of bombed Ukrainian vodka maker seeks to expand exports 04. January 2026 (06:00) Nemiroff says products still reaching UK chains such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco despite production difficultiesBusinesses in Ukraine are “not sitting and waiting for the war to end” and are working to expand despite bombs hitting shipments out of the country, according to a leading vodka exporter to the UK.Yuriy Sorochynskyi, the chief executive of Ukraine’s largest spirits export brand, Nemiroff vodka, has said its products have continued to flow to big chains including Tesco and Sainsbury’s as it copes with the harsh realities of almost four years of war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Crowd roars in standing ovation for Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed at sold-out Ashes Test in Sydney 04. January 2026 (03:35) Cricketers and fans pay tribute to victims and first responders ahead of play at the SCGTen minutes of terror: how the Bondi mass shooting unfolded in real time – videoGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA sold-out SCG crowd roared as Ahmed al-Ahmed, his arm in sling and his hand on his heart, walked onto the pitch just before play began of the final Test of the Ashes series.The Syrian-born father of two helped disarm one of two gunmen during the Bondi terror attack, and on Sunday took part in the tributes made to the victims and those who risked their lives attending them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 60 prominent sportspeople call for federal royal commission after Bondi attack 04. January 2026 (03:02) Tennis figure Lleyton Hewitt, Olympic gold medallists Jessica Fox and Ian Thorpe, and ex-Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke among open letter’s signatories Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 60 Australian sports stars have called on Anthony Albanese to establish a federal royal commission into antisemitism, radicalisation and the Bondi terror attack, as pressure on the government continues.In an open letter published on Sunday, prominent athletes including former Olympic swimmers Dawn Fraser and Ian Thorpe, canoeist Jess Fox and former tennis player Lleyton Hewitt said the attack, in which 15 people were killed, was “a national crisis, and it demands a national response”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese calls for ‘peaceful, democratic transition’ of power in Venezuela after US capture of Nicolás Maduro 04. January 2026 (01:35) Australian prime minister says government has ‘long held concerns about the situation’ in South American countryUS attacks Venezuela – live updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Australian prime minister says he backs a “peaceful, democratic transition” of power in Venezuela after the forcible capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US military, but has urged that international law be respected.In a cautious statement, Anthony Albanese said his government was “monitoring developments” after Venezuela’s president and his wife were captured and transported to the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
North Korea ‘has fired ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan’ 04. January 2026 (00:51) South Korea’s military report projectile launch, which follows Kim Jong-un calling for doubling of output of tactical guided weaponsNorth Korea has fired a ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast, according to South Korea’s military leaders.The South Korean joint chiefs of staff said: “The North has launched an unidentified ballistic missile toward the East Sea,” referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British and French aircraft attack underground Islamic State weapons store in Syria 04. January 2026 (00:06) Guided bombs used to target tunnels at site near to city of Palmyra in raid intended to ‘eliminate dangerous terrorists’British and French aircraft have carried out a joint strike on an underground facility in Syria that had been occupied by Islamic State, the UK Ministry of Defence has said.Guided bombs were used to target access tunnels to the site, in the mountainous region near the ancient city of Palmyra in the centre of the country, on Saturday evening. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Missing worker found dead after roof collapse deep underground at Queensland coalmine 03. January 2026 (23:47) Emergency team were unable to save man trapped in the Curragh mine following the collapse on FridayGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastSearchers have found a missing Queensland coalmine worker dead a day after he became trapped in a roof collapse.The man was inside the Curragh mine in central Queensland when the collapse happened about 3pm on Friday. There were fears he was as deep as 1km underground. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
