OGN Monday

Editor OGN Daily
14 minutes ago
4 min read

What better way to start the week than with some uplifting news?

Venus Williams saluting the crowd at the Australian Open 2026 — Oldest woman to compete at Aussie Open

She's Back

Five years on from her last showing at the Australian Open, Venus Williams has returned to the tournament via a wild-card entry. Yesterday, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion competed at Melbourne Park nearly 30 years after her first appearance at the Open. At 45 years old, the athlete was be the oldest woman to ever compete in the tournament’s main draw. Last summer, she made a comeback to tennis after taking 16 months off to recover from health issues that required surgery. “I’m still the same player; I’m a big hitter,” she said at an August press conference. “There are no limits for excellence, it’s all about what’s in your head and how much you are able to put into it.” Up two service breaks at 4-0 in the third set on Sunday, she was within sight of first round victory too. But Olga Danilovic had other ideas, rallying to win six straight games and beat the American 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

West facade of Notre Dame as depicted on new 2 euro coin — West facade of Notre Dame

Commemorative Coin

The Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) holds the distinction of being the oldest minting institution in France, as well as one of the oldest existing institutions in the world, dating back to 864 CE. Recently, it has begun producing special two-euro commemorative coins with the iconic Gothic facade of the Notre-Dame de Paris. Inscribed are “Notre-Dame de Paris,” the year 2025, and “RF” for République Française. The coins are a tribute to the famous cathedral’s reopening in 2024, following the 2019 fire that burned the timber frame to almost complete decimation.

Special Exception: Carpenter who helped rebuild Notre Dame gets married there.

Aussie Accounts

Social media companies have revoked access to about 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to children in Australia since the country banned use of the platforms by those under 16, officials say. “We stared down everybody who said it couldn’t be done, some of the most powerful and rich companies in the world and their supporters,” communications minister Anika Wells told reporters. “Now Australian parents can be confident that their kids can have their childhoods back.” For context, there are only 2.5 million 8-15 year olds in the nation.

Sasha Nash wearing her pilot uniform — Credit: RAF

First Woman Leader

Sasha Nash just made history by becoming the Red Arrows’ first woman leader. Now the aerobatic display team’s most senior officer, Nash commands 150 Royal Air Force and civilian personnel, and hopes to “inspire future generations of aviators from all backgrounds.”

Middle Names

Someone in America though it would be fun to try and discover the country's most popular middle name for women. Using 38 million voter records - so, not exactly a national analysis - the stats revealed that Ann or Anne won the competition with 4.3 percent having that as a middle name, against 0.2 percent having it as a first name. Marie came a close second.

Cadillac Formula 1 Team's special edition one-off livery for Barcelona — Cadillac revving up for its inaugural F1 season

Cadillac F1

The Cadillac Formula 1 Team have revealed the special edition one-off livery they will run when they take part in the all-team Barcelona Shakedown later this month. The American squad are making their Formula 1 debut this season, with experienced duo Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez returning to the grid to form their line-up. Cadillac will unveil the livery for their inaugural F1 campaign on February 8 during the Super Bowl, a few days before official pre-season testing begins in Bahrain, hence the special edition livery for the Barcelona running that takes place between 26-30 January.

UK Energy Bills Down

Energy bills in the UK were around a third lower last year than they would have been without the country’s windfarms. That’s according to new analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unity, a thinktank. It said that electricity was traded on day-ahead markets at an average of £83 per megawatt-hour (MWh) last year - a price tag that would have been as high as £121 per MWh had windfarms not limited the role that gas plays in setting prices. However, Brits are yet to see the benefits of falling prices as the government is reinvesting the difference in the UK grid.

“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.” Bob Marley

On This Day

19 January 1955: U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower held the first-ever televised presidential press conference. It was not, however, live. It was edited before it was broadcast. He famously called it a "new experiment" and hoped it wouldn't be a "disturbing influence".