Snorkeller missing in WA as NSW authorities continue search for two lost in rough surf 02. January 2026 (03:11) Man, 32, had been snorkelling at Ledge Point Beach when reported missing, while police also searching for two who went missing at Coogee Beach and Palm Beach, NSWGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRescuers are searching for a missing snorkeller off the coast of a small town in Western Australia, as authorities in New South Wales continue to hunt for two people who went missing in hazardous surf over the new year.A 32-year-old man was reported missing while snorkelling at Ledge Point Beach, about 105km north of Perth, at about 3pm on Thursday afternoon, WA police said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
George Clooney fires back at Trump after US president mocks his French citizenship 02. January 2026 (01:51) Trump called the actor and his wife, Amal, ‘two of the worst political prognosticators of all time’ after they were awarded French passportsGeorge Clooney has lashed out at US president Donald Trump for criticising France’s decision to grant the Hollywood actor and his family French citizenship.The 64-year-old Oscar winner, his wife, Amal Alamuddin Clooney, and their two children became French citizens earlier this month after living on a property in southern France for years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian electric car market to get influx of new models as cheaper EVs hit the road in 2026 02. January 2026 (01:31) New utes, sports cars and hatchbacks will break price records at both ends as traditional brands release electric vehicles in 2026Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralians can expect to see more electric utes, sports cars and hatchbacks that break price records at both ends of the spectrum, with changes encouraging even the most reluctant brands to join the trend.But the electric vehicle market could also experience significant regulatory upheaval in 2026, with a road-user charge on the national agenda and a review of tax exemptions. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab 02. January 2026 (01:01) NHS to administer combined immunisation in move in line with approach in US, Canada, Australia and GermanyChildren in the UK are to be immunised against chickenpox at the same time as measles, mumps and rubella.The NHS across the UK’s four home nations will administer a combined vaccine to young children to protect them against all four diseases from Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian among the injured in New Year’s Eve fire that killed 40 at Swiss ski resort 01. January 2026 (23:28) Australia’s department of foreign affairs providing consular assistance to person injured at Crans-Montana and their familyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Australian is among the 115 people injured in a fire that tore through a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve party in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, killing 40 people.Australia’s climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, confirmed on Friday morning that an Australian had been injured and was receiving medical and consular assistance. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
South Park writer buys ‘Trump Kennedy Center’ domain name 01. January 2026 (23:09) Toby Morton now owns trumpkennedycenter.org, which advertises new year performance by the ‘Epstein dancers’Donald Trump may be remaking the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts into a pool of his self-reflection, but a writer for South Park, the TV series that better reflects the obsessions and tendencies of the administration than any political pundit, has purchased the rights to trumpkennedycenter.org.Toby Morton, a TV writer and producer who has worked on the long-running and joyfully offensive sitcom, said he purchased the domain in August after predicting the president would change the name from the Kennedy Center to the Trump Kennedy Center after he installed himself as chair and stocked the board with loyalists. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket 01. January 2026 (22:34) 39-year-old will bat in fifth Ashes Test in SydneyAustralian played 87 Tests, scoring 6,206 runs to dateUsman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket, saying the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his last.The batsman’s future in Test cricket has been one of the hottest topics of this summer’s Ashes series, after he turned 39 last month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Business leaders and Catholic bishops join call for royal commission after Bondi attack 01. January 2026 (21:57) Signatories to open letter include former Reserve Bank of Australia governors Philip Lowe and Glenn Stevens and billionaire James PackerGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralian business leaders and public figures have joined forces to call for a commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism, radicalism and the events leading up to the 14 December Bondi beach terrorist attack.At least 120 leaders have signed the open letter, including former Reserve Bank of Australia governors Philip Lowe and Glenn Stevens, billionaire James Packer, former Telstra chief executive David Thodey, as well as sporting figures, politicians and university chancellors. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Zohran Mamdani promises ‘new era’ for New York City in first speech as mayor 01. January 2026 (21:17) Mayor says ‘I will govern as a democratic socialist’ at inauguration ceremony featuring AOC and Bernie SandersZohran Mamdani on Thursday vowed to “reinvent” New York City in a speech on his first day as mayor, promising “a new era” for America’s largest city and an ambitious start to his term of office.The 34-year-old political star and democratic socialist, who a year ago was a virtually unknown state assemblyman, is the city’s first Muslim mayor, first of south Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa. He is also the first to be sworn in using the Qur’an. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York chose ‘courage over fear’, AOC says at Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony – live 01. January 2026 (20:50) Congressmember delivered opening remarks at city hall, noting that Mamdani is the city’s first Muslim mayorZohran Mamdani and his wife Rama Duwaji appearing on stage for his inauguration ceremony earlier.New York is a place that “a young immigrant democrat socialist Muslim can be bold enough to run and brave enough to win,” he says, “not by abandoning conviction, but by standing firmly within it.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
