There has been some debate over the 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis match, with some saying it's taken women's sport back years. Nick Kyrgios, recently returned from injury, won against women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Dubai

Nick Kyrgios, ranked 671 in the world, defeated women's world number one Irina Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in a 'battle of the sexes' exhibition match in Dubai. The match featured modified rules, including a 9% smaller court on Sabalenka's side and only one serve allowed per player to prioritize placement over power.

The event drew mixed reactions, with some praising the attention it brought to tennis and others questioning its impact on gender equality in the sport. Kyrgios is now preparing for his professional return at the Brisbane International, while Grigor Dimitrov is also set to compete in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

Mixed reactions to tennis's 'Battle of the Sexes' event

On return from injury, men's world number 671, Nick Kyrgios defeated women's world number one, Irina Sabalenka, 6-3, 6-3. It's Nick Kyrgios that secures victory in the battle of the sexes. Let me just remind you, I'm one of 16 people that have ever beaten the big four in the world. Andy Murray, Djokovic, Federer and Nadal all lost to me. And she just proved that she can go out there and compete against someone that's beaten the greatest of all time. I was so brave to put myself out there against the guy and I was able to bring, I felt like such a great tennis. Some however were quick to take issue with the court size being 9% smaller on Sabalenka's side and with both allowed just one serve each to force placement over power. So anyone that was negative and that watched, they're also, they just love it. They just don't want to love it, but they do love it. I felt like we just brought more attention to our sport and I don't see how it can be bad. In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated former men's world number one Bobby Riggs in a watershed moment for the sport and the history of women's rights. Some believe this most recent event did the opposite. I'm sure it will be now a cultural movement that will happen more often and I think it's a step in the right direction. Kyrgios now prepares for his professional return at the Brisbane International next week. Grigor Dimitrov about to play it for the 10th time in the lead up to the Aus Open. It's almost like rewarding being back here. I think for, given the year that I've had, I feel like this is the best way to start the year. Ted Roker, Ten News.

President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday. Trump said he thinks both men are ready for peace.

Florida

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Berlin

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Kyiv

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Russia attacked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine with hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday, ahead of what President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said would be a crucial meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to work out a plan to end nearly four years of war.

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French actor Brigitte Bardot has died aged 91, her foundation said on Sunday (December 28). She shot to international fame dancing the mambo barefoot in "And God Created Woman," her tousled hair and fierce energy radiating a sexual magnetism rarely before seen in mainstream cinema.

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Bangkok

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For approximately 10 hours Saturday, Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv with about 500 drones and 40 missiles. The attack comes one day before before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Trump in Mar-a-Lago. Elizabeth Palmer has the latest.

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Halifax Regional Municipality

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According to the Chinese foreign ministry, the sanctions entail freezing the companies’ assets in China and banning individuals and organisations from accessing them.

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Somalia reacted angrily Friday (December 26) after Israel formally recognised the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so. U.S. President Donald Trump said he opposed U.S. recognition of Somaliland in an interview with the New York Post.

Somaliland

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Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an "immediate" ceasefire on Saturday (December 26), the two countries said in a joint statement, pledging to end border clashes that killed dozens of people.

Buri Ram

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Jerusalem

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The United States carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.

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Tegucigalpa

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The U.S. Department of Justice says it has found more than a million more documents potentially tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, delaying a full release for weeks while officials redact details to protect victims.

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Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Rome

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled progress in a Ukraine-Russia peace plan, after he told journalists about a new draft that would include a free economic zone and demilitarization. Holly Williams has the latest.

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Democrats and some Republicans are blasting the Justice Department over its handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included major redactions.

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Bolsonaro is expected to undergo the procedure on 25 December.

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Two police officers have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said on Wednesday. Their deaths come just two days after a car bomb killed a top general in the same area of the Russia capital.

Breakdown