Sydney Morning Herald Digest
Daily News • Monday, 26 January 2026
Australian Open 2026 LIVE updates: Sinner’s fight for quarter-final spot; Musetti downs Fritz; Anisimova wins; Inglis in Swiatek test
Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis has had a lucky break after Naomi Osaka withdrew. Can she get past the Polish champion? Follow the action live.
Calls for inquiry into Minneapolis shooting death of US citizen
There are calls for an independent inquiry into the shooting death of a US in Minneapolis.
Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg named 2026 Australian of the Year
Australia’s first-ever qualified astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been crowned the 2026 Australian of the Year.
At least six killed in massive US snowstorm
A crippling winter storm has killed at least six people as it sweeps across large parts of the US.
Two men dead, woman serious following drowning in NSW river
Two men have drowned and a pregnant woman has been taken to hospital after getting into trouble in a river on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Australia Day 2026 LIVE: Police line on Spring Street keeps Invasion Day crowd from March for Australia rally
Invasion Day activists and anti-immigration protesters will converge on Melbourne CBD as part of Australia Day demonstrations. Follow updates live.
Sydney marks Australia Day with celebrations and reflection
Sydneysiders have embraced Australia Day on what was a day of deep reflection.
Man arrested over alleged neo-Nazi speech during March for Australia rally
A man has been arrested over alleged neo-Nazi comments he made during Sydney’s March for Australia protest.
Sussan Ley puts on a brave face amid leadership rumblings
Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is refusing to acknowledge speculation her leadership could be in danger.
Extreme heat as search for accused triple-murderer continues
Police have battled extreme heat as they zero in on properties in their search for accused triple-murderer Julian Ingram.
Australia Day 2026 as it happened: Man arrested over antisemitic remarks at Sydney rally; Hanson fronts Brisbane rally after protesters call to ‘fight Pauline’
Follow our rolling coverage of all the major Australia Day events and protests taking place across Sydney today.
Neo-Nazi chants at anti-immigration rally, Invasion Day protest draws thousands
Chants of “white man fight back” were taken up by the March for Australia crowd. Across the CBD, Indigenous protesters directed their ire towards Pauline Hanson.
Inequality, not immigration, behind cost-of-living crisis
Negative gearing and franking credits are more to blame for high house prices.
Cathy Freeman among Australia Day Honours recipients
Sporting legend Cathy Freeman has been awarded Australia’s highest honour, a little more than 25 years after she sent the nation into a frenzy with her Olympic gold medal at Sydney 2000.
Man, 80, charged with murder of woman in Melbourne home
An elderly man has been charged with murdering his wife after her body was found inside their Wollert home.
Great Ocean Road towns urged to evacuate; Victoria braces for record heat
Residents have been told to get out of the Otways danger zone by sunset, before a day of extreme heat that has triggered a statewide total fire ban.
Police scour coastline for missing boy last seen on Victorian beach
Authorities are continuing to scour waters on Victoria’s east coast after a 12-year-old Melbourne boy disappeared while swimming.
More than 1100 properties evacuated near Otways fire
Residents near an out-of-control bushfire in the Victorian Otways have been told to get out before sunset as the state braces for potentially record-breaking heat.
No leader, no order, but make no mistake – neo-Nazis were there in numbers
They lacked the PA systems and the polished choreography of previous protests, yet the unmistakable echoes of neo-Nazis rang out through the chants and the crowd in Melbourne on Monday.
Tensions spill in Melbourne amid opposing Australia Day marches
Protesters have scuffled in Melbourne’s CBD after opposing marches came face-to-face on Australia Day.