Women’s singles semis, from 8.30am GMT in Melbourne
Swiatek backs Gauff over privacy concerns | Mail Daniel

Sabalenka to serve, ready … play.

You can’t argue with Svitolina’s run to the last four. She’s beaten Shnaider, Andreeva and Gauff – who, admittedly, had her absolute worst day – without losing a set, won in Auckland before that, and won’t ever have felt better about her game. I’m excited to see what her plan is, because we can be sure she’ll have one.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP

© Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP

© Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP

People who knew Pretti describe him as ‘generous with his time’ and denounce the Trump administration’s assessment of him

Travis Vanden Heuvel had been following the recent news out of Minnesota for weeks. On Saturday morning, like many others, he saw video clips of the second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis this month.

But the story became personal later that day. That afternoon, Vanden Heuvel’s former choir director reached out to tell him that the man who had been shot was Alex Pretti – a childhood friend with whom he had been in choir.

Continue reading...

© Composite: The Guardian/United States Department of Veterans Affairs)/JD Atkins/Spencer Lent

© Composite: The Guardian/United States Department of Veterans Affairs)/JD Atkins/Spencer Lent

© Composite: The Guardian/United States Department of Veterans Affairs)/JD Atkins/Spencer Lent

Textile bins are overflowing, but donating isn’t always the answer. Experts share the smarter, greener ways to declutter unwanted clothes

• How to look after your knitwear, according to experts

Have you even started the new year if you haven’t thought about having a wardrobe clearout? A recent trip to my local supermarket suggests that residents of my home town have been doing just that in their droves, with textile recycling bins overflowing on to the pavements. And we may think donating our unwanted clothes does us a favour while helping out someone else and potentially the environment, but there’s a chance we could be doing the exact opposite.

“Because our clothing is so overproduced in such large quantities, when you donate to charity, often it’s not getting resold,” says Aja Barber, author of the book Consumed. And she warns that much of our donated clothing won’t end up in the well-intended places we had hoped it would. “[It] will most likely end up in landfill or be exported in the waste colonialism chain, which means our excess volumes end up in countries like Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. It’s a business, but when a lot of the clothing is trash to begin with, sadly it creates a lot of pollution.”

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Mint Images/Getty Images/Mint Images RF

© Photograph: Mint Images/Getty Images/Mint Images RF

© Photograph: Mint Images/Getty Images/Mint Images RF

While the desperation to keep Trinity Rodman is understandable, tweaking the salary cap could be a big mistake

Perhaps it was all worth it in the end. As a tearful Trinity Rodman signs the most lucrative contract in the history of women’s football – flanked by the Washington Spirit owner, Michele Kang, and a young fan called Emma in pink braids – the internet is already burning white hot. The podcasters will feast for days. After months of bungling US soccer finally has its money shot, and in more ways than one the numbers are going to be stratospheric.

But then Rodman has always been an effortless creator of content: a true footballer for the TikTok generation. From the spectacular strikes to the famous Trin Spin, from the vivid streaks in her hair to the viral goal celebrations, Rodman’s ability to convey the joy of the game in snackable morsels is the root of her appeal. Aged 23 she already has an Olympic gold medal and 49 international caps, to which she can now add a £1.5m-a-year deal and her very own rule.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

© Photograph: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

© Photograph: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

Under Donald Trump, the White House has filled its social media with memes, wishcasting, nostalgia and deepfakes. Here’s what you need to know to navigate the trolling

It started with an image of Trump as a king mocked up on a fake Time magazine cover. Since then it’s developed into a full-blown phenomenon, one academics are calling “slopaganda” – an unholy alliance of easily available AI tools and political messaging. “Shitposting”, the publishing of deliberately crude, offensive content online to provoke a reaction, has reached the level of “institutional shitposting”, according to Know Your Meme’s editor Don Caldwell. This is trolling as official government communication. And nobody is more skilled at it than the Trump administration – a government that has not only allowed the AI industry all the regulative freedom it desires, but has embraced the technology for its own in-house purposes. Here are 10 of the most significant fake images the White House has put out so far.

Continue reading...

© Illustration: @WhiteHouse/X

© Illustration: @WhiteHouse/X

© Illustration: @WhiteHouse/X

“Vanderpump Rules” star Angelica Jensen stopped by the Page Six studio to chat with “Virtual Reali-Tea” co-hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real about the reboot of the iconic Bravo reality show. We cover a ton of ground — from defending Katie Maloney from shady cast mates to yes, unpacking all things Penis Pump Gate. Check...

Kaja Kallas also played down the idea of ‘a European army’ saying that it remained to be a domain for national authorities

Over in Brussels, French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned about the “brutalisation of the world” in international politics, stressing the need to maintain EU unity amid dramatic changes in the world order.

He said that January was dominated by “threats against a European territory under the protection of Nato, the territory of Greenland,” as he urged the European Commission to clearly assert EU interests, including on territorial integrity, electoral processes and autonomy fo decision, against “any new threats” (yes, he probably means the US, too.)

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Ukrinform/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Ukrinform/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Ukrinform/Shutterstock

• Palace in advanced discussions to sign striker

• James Ward-Prowse seals loan move to Burnley

Wolves are braced for a bid totalling £50m for Jørgen Strand Larsen from Crystal Palace. The Norway striker is expected to exit in this window, and Palace are in advanced discussions to sign him.

The agent Jorge Mendes is leading negotiations on behalf of Wolves, with an initial £45m, plus £5m in add-ons, mooted. It remains to be seen whether rivals would move to match or exceed that offer; Leeds are viewed as the most serious competition but Palace are in pole position.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Chris Radburn/Action Images/Reuters

© Photograph: Chris Radburn/Action Images/Reuters

© Photograph: Chris Radburn/Action Images/Reuters

Adam Fox was back on the ice Wednesday while wearing a red noncontact jersey during a Rangers' optional morning skate ahead of their game at UBS Arena.

Charles Victor Thompson was executed for the 1998 murders of his ex-girlfriend Glenda Dennise Hayslip and her new boyfriend Darren Keith Cain.

Women across Afghanistan describe the traumatic impact of disappearing clinics and contraception

Parwana* no longer recognises her own children. Once known for her beauty in her village in Kandahar province, the 36-year-old sits on the floor of her mother’s home, rocking silently. After nine pregnancies and six miscarriages, many under pressure from her husband and in-laws, Parwana has slipped into a permanent state of confusion.

“She is lost,” says her mother, Sharifa. “They broke her with fear, pregnancies and violence.”

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Getty Images

© Photograph: Getty Images

© Photograph: Getty Images

John Eric Spiby is one of four jailed for being part of gang running operation worth up to £288m

A man who won £2.4m on the national lottery helped build a multimillion pound drug empire that involved manufacturing counterfeit tablets on an industrial scale, a court has heard.

John Eric Spiby, 80, was the leader of a drugs operation worth up to £288m that centred on his “quiet, rural” home near Wigan, Bolton crown court was told.

Continue reading...

© Photograph: Greater Manchester Police

© Photograph: Greater Manchester Police

© Photograph: Greater Manchester Police

TORONTO — Karl-Anthony Towns, the subject of persistent trade rumors ahead of next week’s deadline, said he’s unconcerned with the chatter. “I feel like I’ve been in trade rumors a lot for a lot of times, for a year damn near. That don’t matter to me,” said Towns, who was traded from the Timberwolves to...

Nasra Ahmed, who gained national attention for her cultural identity remarks, was arrested as AG Pam Bondi announced escalated enforcement after deadly encounters.

The change will go into effect for students entering the institution this fall.

Canada's actions denied American Olympian Katie Uhlaender a chance to earn enough points to qualify for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games. 

America's immigration bubble has burst after 60 years of growth, with the U.S. experiencing negative net migration for the first time since the 1970s.

President Donald Trump reverses Biden appliance regulations targeting dishwashers, washing machines, air conditioners and water heaters through executive orders.

America's criminal justice system requires patience and complete evidence, not instant replay mentality, argues Fox News contributor Hugh Hewitt following Minnesota police shootings.

© PA

Pilgrim Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner set was removed from sale due to a banned chemical

© Getty/iStock

Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was killed by federal agents in Minneapolis

© Getty

© PA

Tesla will stop selling its Model S sedans and Model X SUVs – flagship vehicles that established the company as a leader in the EV market

© AP