Australian Open win remains elusive for Alex Eala despite perfect start
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· delfin.dioquino editor
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Newest first · UTC+11:00Australian Open: Djokovic sparkles as China’s Shang causes upset, Eala bows out
Serb begins quest for 25th grand slam title in fine form, Chinese former world No 47 makes good start, but Filipino favourite is knocked out
· Xinhua
Australian Open: Djokovic launches latest bid for record 25th grand slam title
Novak Djokovic opens tournament against Pedro Martinez, while Iga Swiatek starts bid for career grand slam against China’s Yuan Yue
· Agence France-Presse
Boy, 12, ‘fighting for life’ after Sydney Harbour shark attack
‘It was a horrendous scene … We believe it was something like a bull shark that attacked’ the boy, said a New South Wales police spokesman
· Agence France-Presse
Australian Open: no Venus fairy tale as Alcaraz, Sabalenka win opening matches
Hong Kong Open champion Alexander Bublik also advances, as does Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan, though compatriot Zhang Zhizhen is out
· Agence France-Presse
Australia faces record guns as Bondi massacre prompts reform
There were more than 4 million guns in Australia in 2025, more than at the time of a 1996 shooting that killed 35 and prompted a gun buy-back scheme
· Reuters
Australian’s Cantonese learning journey in Hong Kong captivates social media
Jonas Groom wins hearts with his videos, overcoming challenges and inspiring others to embrace the language.
· SCMP
Australian’s Cantonese journey captivates Hong Kong with viral videos
Jonas Groom’s social media videos highlight the benefits of cultural exchange, inspiring others.
· SCMP
Die Australian Open - "Happy Slam" in "Down Under"
Die Stimmung bei den Australian Open ist außergewöhnlich. Aus dem gesamten Land pilgern die Fans zum Turnier nach Melbourne, um dort den "Happy Slam" zu feiern. Der Name soll einst von Roger Federer erfunden worden sein. Aber nicht nur die Zuschauer, auch die Spieler lieben das erste Grand-Slam-Turnier des Jahres, a…
Alex Eala caps buildup for Australian Open with Kooyong Classic trophy
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· delfin.dioquino editor
Australia usuwa miliony kont nieletnich z social mediów
Wprowadzony 10 grudnia ub. roku w Australii zakaz korzystania z social mediów przez dzieci i nastolatków poniżej 16. roku przynosi „znaczące rezultaty” – poinformowała Julie Inman Grant, szefowa australijskiego urzędu ds. bezpieczeństwa w sieci (eSafety). Według niej w ciągu kilku tygodni od wejścia przepisów w życi…
· Anna Widzyk
South Korean church deploys ‘special force’ to recruit Australian youths
The Shincheonji church compiles profiles of potential members to draw up personalised recruitment plans, according to a former member
· SCMP’s Asia desk
Australia social media ban hits 4.7 million teen accounts in first month
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· Victor Barreiro Jr.
Australia’s new strategic reserve targets China’s rare earth grip - Asia Times
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· Susan M Park
Alex Eala reaching peak form ahead of 2026 Australian Open
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· Jasmine Payo
Hong Kong authorities halt use of elevating platform at site after worker death
Labour Department suspends use of such platforms at Victoria Blossom housing project in Kai Tak after worker got trapped between device and wall
· Fiona Chow
China make history by advancing to quarter-finals of AFC U-23 Asian Cup
The team finishes second in the group behind Australia with one win and two draws, will play Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals in Jeddah
· Ada Li
Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong holds out hope for ‘lucky loser’ spot at Australian Open
Hongkonger loses in third qualifying round of year’s first grand slam but could still make the main draw should there be withdrawals
· Paul McNamara
All Blacks fire coach Robertson less than two years before World Cup
The 51-year-old said he was ‘gutted’ to be leaving the team; former Australia coach Dave Rennie has been linked to the job
· Agence France-Presse
Donroe doctrine. Trump, Australia and the 'Rules Based Order' - Michael West
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· Rex Patrick
Coleman Wong ‘really enjoying’ playing tennis for Hongkongers around the world
The 21-year-old will play Elias Ymer of Sweden in the final round of the Australian Open qualifying for a spot in the main draw
· Stephy Zhang
Not ‘Trump-compatible’? China expert Rudd exits Australia’s US ambassador role
Kevin Rudd left his post a year earlier than planned following criticism from US President Donald Trump at White House meeting in October
· Lucy Quaggin
Controversial Australian ambassador to US Kevin Rudd quits early - Asia Times
Keep independent journalism alive
· Michelle Grattan
Idolising the unattainable - DailyNews
Sri Lankans want orderliness and organisation. They want discipline and a rules based society. What’s funny is that they want all this in Europe, Australia and in the US or Oman or some place.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Australia: Writers' festival called off amid boycott
Organizers canceled the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week festival on Tuesday, after some 180 international and Australian authors withdrew from the event in protest of the scrapping of an appearance by an Australian-Palestinian author and academic.
· Mark Hallam
Mandarin pop star Jay Chou to take on top pros at Australian Open ‘Slam’ event
The singer, who has committed to donating all his winnings to charity, admits he is nervous about losing quickly or failing to touch the ball
· Ada Li
Australian Labor MPs apologise over ‘disgusting’ rating game at festival
The three Labor MPs were overheard playing the game about male politicians at a festival, triggering a complaint
· SCMP’s Asia desk
Coleman Wong vows to ‘give my best’ to progress in Australian Open
The 21-year-old will play Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the second round of qualifying after the Spaniard beat Henry Bernet of Switzerland
· Stephy Zhang
Australian ambassador hated by Trump to leave US post early
Kevin Rudd, who criticised Trump before he became envoy, will head the Asia Society think tank after finishing his posting in March
· Reuters
Meta blocks 550,000 accounts under Australia’s social media ban - DailyNews
About 550,000 accounts were blocked by Meta during the first days of Australia’s landmark social media ban for kids.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Meta yafunga akaunti 544,000 nchini Australia
Kampuni ya Meta imefunga zaidi ya akaunti 544,000 za mitandao ya kijamii zinazomilikiwa na watoto, kufuatia sheria mpya ya Australia ya mitandao ya kijamii.
· Deutsche Welle
Meta shuts over 544,000 Australian accounts after ban
Meta has deactivated more than half a million social media accounts belonging to children in compliance with Australia's new social media law.
· Kieran Burke
Hong Kong champion Bublik on drinking, 24 hours in Vegas and grand slam doom
Alexander Bublik dampening expectation for Australian Open despite perfect start to 2026, reaching world top 10 with Victoria Park success
· Paul McNamara
Aturan Baru Australia, Meta Tutup 544 Ribu Akun Anak
Meta telah menonaktifkan lebih dari setengah juta akun media sosial milik anak-anak sebagai bentuk kepatuhan terhadap undang-undang media sosial baru Australia. Undang-undang tersebut mulai berlaku pada 10 Desember 2025 dan melarang kepemilikan akun media sosial bagi anak-anak di bawah usia 16 tahun. Aturan ini mewa…
· Kieran Burke
Meta blocks 550,000 accounts under Australia's social media ban - DailyNews
About 550,000 accounts were blocked by Meta during the first days of Australia’s landmark social media ban for kids.
· Supuni Kulasinghe
Australian social media ban: Meta shuts 550,000 children’s accounts
Australia’s ban on social media usage for under 16s, a world’s first, came into effect on December 10
· Bloomberg
Sri Lanka emerges as Australia's 3rd fastest-growing travel destination - DailyNews
In a remarkable twist in the tourism landscape, Sri Lanka has officially claimed the title of the third fastest-growing travel destination for Australian holidaymakers in 2025, boasting an impressive 19 percent increase in arrivals year-on-year. According to the latest statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statis…
· Gayan Abeykoon
Emirates extends premium economy reach with expanded city rollout - DailyNews
Emirates will continue rolling out its retrofitted Boeing 777 and new A350 aircraft to key destinations across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, bringing Premium Economy and its latest onboard products to more cities across its network.
· Gayan Abeykoon
Schwere Buschbrände halten Australien wieder in Atem
Im australischen Bundesstaat Victoria wüten die Brände schon seit Mitte der Woche. Laut Behörden verbrannten bereits mehr als 300.000 Hektar Land, mehr als 130 Häuser wurden zerstört. In Tausenden Haushalten fiel der Strom aus. Nahe der Stadt Longwood nördlich von Melbourne kam nach Polizeiangaben ein Mensch bei ei…
· Deutsche Welle
Hong Kong plans to complete Kowloon waterfront promenade projects by 2028
Development Bureau says link-up will extend total length of pedestrian pathways on both sides of Victoria Harbour to 34km
· Wynna Wong
David Hayes ends nightmare week on a high as Money Catcher rolls back the years
China Win secures a poignant win for the top trainer, whose family stables were rocked by a bushfire this week in Australia
· Owen Goulding
Ibis makes another Classic Mile statement as Newnham continues stellar season
The Australian handler sends out the final two winners on the card, with Lucky Sam Gor also saluting for the trainers’ championship leader
· Owen Goulding
Bublik ‘overwhelmed’ after claiming Hong Kong tennis title, making world’s top 10
Alexander Bublik wins fifth ATP Tour title in seven months. Coleman Wong draws Frenchman Ugo Blanchet in Australian Open qualifying
· Paul McNamara
Letters | Bondi response must go beyond policing and towards rebuilding unity
Readers discuss social cohesion in Australia, a commission into the Bondi shooting, and US interventions
· Letters
Australia: State of disaster declared amid Victoria fires
Authorities in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria declared a state of disaster on Saturday amid bush fires that have destroyed homes, caused large-scale power outages and razed huge swaths of bushland.
· Timothy Jones
‘Leave, go’: Australia declares state of disaster amid bushfires
Emergency crews can now force evacuations as conditions rivalled the infamous ‘Black Summer’ blazes of 2019-2020
· Agence France-Presse
The Australian Open: The 'Happy Slam' down under
The atmosphere at the Australian Open is extraordinary. Fans from all over the country flock to the tournament in Melbourne to celebrate the 'Happy Slam.' The nickname is said to have been coined by Roger Federer. But it's not just the spectators; the players also love the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, no…
Australia: 3 missing as 'catastrophic' bushfires rage
Bushfires across the Australian state of Victoria were destroying homes, forcing evacuations, and burning through vast swathes of bushland, authorities said on Friday.
· Shakeel Sobhan
Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong set to play loose against ‘boa constrictor’ Musetti
Home star set for first ATP Tour quarter-final against world No 7 Italian at Victoria Park Tennis Centre on Friday
· Paul McNamara
Beauty drops to watch: Sweeney’s bob, Balenciaga’s scents and Buly’s balm
This month we’re coveting a stunning blonde bob, a chic lip balm carrier, and beautiful new fragrances based on a classic
· Sheena Khemaney