Sports from Thursday, January 8th, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka expects to skip events again this year rather than put her health at risk over the course of an "insane" season, even though she knows she is likely to be sanctioned by the WTA Tour for doing so, the world number one said.

Australia had a few nervous moments but safely chased down their 160-run victory target before tea on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test on Thursday for a five-wicket victory and a 4-1 series triumph.

Arsenal's Premier League title prospects have been enhanced without them even kicking a ball on Wednesday as their closest challengers Manchester City and Aston Villa both dropped points.

Four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel is among a host of illustrious speakers headed to the ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival.