Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from Test cricket, launching a parting shot at reporters and critics for 'racial stereotypes' that he has been subjected to over the years. After months of speculation around his future, Khawaja fronted a press conference in Sydney on Friday morning to confirm he would retire from International cricket next week. The 39-year-old revealed he offered to retire during the previous summer but Australia coach Andrew McDonald urged him to keep playing. Khawaja expressed frustration at former players and the media for 'attacking' him in recent years and ushering him towards retirement. Australia will look to send Khawaja off on a high with a win when the final Test of the ongoing series begins on Sunday.

Usman Khawaja is expected to make a call on his future as early as Friday, with the Test veteran to front a media conference at the SCG before training. Cricket Australia officials confirmed on Thursday night that Khawaja would address the media early on Friday morning, with his future beyond the Sydney Test unclear. Khawaja's future in Test cricket has remained one of the hottest topics of this summer's Ashes series, after he turned 39 last month. Tellingly, McDonald also suggested selectors could have a decision to make before Australia's next Test series against Bangladesh in August around Khawaja's future. Khawaja moved to Sydney from Pakistan as a child, and scored his first Ashes century there with 171 against England in 2018.

As Ireland approaches 2026, there is a sense of accumulation rather than rupture. Daryl McCormack, actorBy 2026, Daryl McCormack will have quietly assembled something rare: a genuinely international filmography without having surrendered his sense of scale. If 2026 confirms him as a leading man, it will do so on his terms — and that feels noteworthy. Florence Road, musicFlorence Road are emerging at a moment when Irish guitar music is being quietly re-evaluated. If the presidency tests her in 2026, and it will, she seems prepared to meet those tests without spectacle.

Gardaí in Kerry have issued a public appeal for information on a missing pensioner. 72-year-old Jeremiah Downing was reported missing from his home in Sneem on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1. Jeremiah was last seen at approximately 3pm on Tuesday, December 30. When he was last seen, Jeremiah was wearing dark clothing, including a brown jacket and dark trousers. Anyone with information on Jeremiah’s whereabouts has been urged to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064-667-1160, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Photograph: iStockphotoThe installation of traffic cameras at junctions in Dublin city to catch motorists who break red lights has been shelved, National Transport Authority (NTA) correspondence shows. Red-light running has since become “increasing problem” that was “putting people’s lives at risk” throughout the city, Dublin City Council head of traffic Brendan O’Brien said. The safety camera strategy was submitted to the Department of Transport last May, but has not been published. Mr Creegan said: “It no longer appears appropriate to proceed with developing camera enforcement at a small number of locations in isolation”. “The entire of the BusConnects corridor project depends on bus lane enforcement and having automatic camera enforcement in place,” he said.

The November 2024 general election was disastrous for the Greens, as it collapsed fromrecord high Dáil representation to a single seat – his own. Mr O’Gorman is not alone in the Oireachtas, with former minister of State Malcolm Noonan elected to the Seanad in early 2025. “But we’re in such a stronger position than we were in 2011 – we’ve got a voice in the Dáil and the Seanad, we’ve got some State funding. Mr O’Callaghan has introduced a range of stricter measures around international protection since taking office which he said will reduce the number of applications. However, the Green Party leader has warned him to be careful not to “believe his own spin” as he said the current Government actually “caught a break” on international protection numbers.

‌What caused the blaze is currently unclear, but Lara added the popular bar was "all wood" with a low ceiling. View 4 Images The popular bar was hosting revellers celebrating the new year"The stairs are narrow," she added. French holidaymaker Bastien Frema, 20, said "people were screaming" and they saw "people with burnt clothing shredded, hanging off them". It’s a fun place if you’re young.”Matthew, 28, a Swiss local, said: “It’s a really deep cavernous bar. I’m waiting, waiting.

Asked whether the first-half incident was a penalty the Dutchman, who insisted in August his team were the "most honest in the Premier League", said: "No, because he stayed on his feet. "If he had fallen down it would probably have been a penalty but this season so many times when we were fouled we did not get a penalty. "I think I am not wrong in that we only had one penalty this season, for the team with most ball possession it is surprising. Slot admitted his side came up short against well-organised opponents who kept their first clean sheet since August. The only downside was a yellow card for captain Ethan Ampadu which means he will miss Sunday's visit of Manchester United.

Operation Anfield exercise explained as public announcement made during Liverpool vs LeedsLiverpool began 2026 by hosting Leeds, but many have been left curious by the 'Operation Anfield' exercise which was announced during the game at AnfieldView 3 Images An 'Operation Anfield' announcement was made during Liverpool's home clash against Leeds United (Image: Sky Sports)Those watching Liverpool vs Leeds United may have been surprised when they heard 'Operation Anfield' announced on the tannoy. ‌During the first half, an announcement was made that a scheme called 'Operation Anfield Exercise' was to begin while the game was on. However, this was previously explained by the 'Voice of Anfield' George Sephton, who is often the one to inform stewards and fans that it was underway. Operation Anfield Exercise means that we practice without actually moving anybody out of the stadium." The match was also not brought to a halt or delayed in any way while 'Operation Anfield' began.

Two men have been arrested in connection with the garda seizure of more than €750,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis in a Cork suburb. Gardaí said the drugs — approximately €700,000 of suspected illegal cocaine and €60,000 of cannabis — were discovered during raids conducted in the Douglas area on Tuesday, December 30. €40,000 in cash was also seized.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) had grim news to report to Brussels recently. The status of 90 per cent of Ireland’s ecosystems designated as specially important by the EU’s Habitats Directive is “unfavourable”. More than half of them are described as “unfavourable/bad”, and 51 per cent of them remain on a downward trajectory. This outcome is symptomatic of the State’s ongoing failure to recognise the core importance to national well-being of natural infrastructure. Understanding this would enable the public to recognise the latest NPWS report as the wake-up call to a national emergency.

Warren Buffett has handed over Berkshire Hathaway’s reins after six decades at the helm to vice-chairman Greg Abel. Mr Buffett (95) transformed Berkshire from a struggling New England textile mill into a $1.1 trillion (€930 billion) financial behemoth that spans railroads, utilities and insurance operations. With Mr Buffett promising to go “quiet”, Wall Street is watching to see how Mr Abel will deploy Berkshire’s vast portfolio. Investors will also scrutinise how Mr Abel allocates the almost $900 million of cash that flows in from its businesses each week. “It is really the investment philosophy and how Warren and the team have allocated capital for the past 60 years,” Mr Abel said last May.

Workers process beef at a workshop of Jiusheng Halal Food Co LTD in Yangxin County, Binzhou city, East China's Shandong province, Nov 4, 2024. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images). China placed quotas on beef imports as it seeks to protect domestic farmers and producers, dealing a blow to Brazil and other major shippers including Australia and Argentina. Shipments exceeding the limits will be subject to a 55% duty, after authorities determined that rising imports had harmed China's own industry. The series of quotas will be in effect from Jan. 1, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

‌Cureton began his career back in the mid-1990s with Norwich City in the Premier League and he continues to contribute on the pitch during a career than has seen him score in the top 10 tiers of English football. He has played for the likes Bournemouth, Bristol Rovers, Reading, QPR and Colchester in a career which started in 1993. ‌The striker has previously been the player-manager of Cambridge City and has been handed the same role by Kings Park Rangers. Polly will now step back from the touchline to focus on developing Kings Park Rangers in his role as club owner, ensuring our continued growth both on and off the pitch. Article continues belowDespite his desire to keep playing Cureton previously stated that he would never use his role as manager to further his personal ambitions ahead of his players.

Victoria and David Beckham were in the party spirit as they rang in the New Year at their £12million home in the Cotswolds. Victoria donned a dress from her own line - a skintight plunging black £1,290 gown which had a daring leg slit. Luckily for Victoria, David got dressed up in a brown velvet suit and white shirt. The post was promptly re-shared by wife Victoria who accompanied the image of David and Brooklyn with an affectionate love heart. However, he did include photos with Romeo, Cruz, and Harper, 14, enjoying family holidays and celebrations together over the past 12 months.