Sydney Morning Herald Digest
Daily News • Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Australia news LIVE: Victorian health authorities warn worst impacts of heatwave still to come; Scott Morrison makes antisemitism address targeting Australian Islamic institutions
Follow along as we bring you the latest live news updates from Australia and beyond.
Australian Open as it happened: Awesome Alcaraz ousts De Minaur; Svitolina says mental health break fuelled her run
Carlos Alcaraz charged into the Australian Open semi-finals for the first time with an eye-catching 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victory over local favourite Alex de Minaur.
ASX set to rise as Wall Street hits record; $A hits US70c
Wall Street ticked to a record on Tuesday, as stocks zigzagged under the market’s surface following mixed profit reports from UnitedHealth, General Motors and other big companies.
French MP recounts trauma in trial of ex-senator accused of drugging her with MDMA
The trial follows the landmark drugging-and-rape case that turned Gisèle Pelicot into a global icon in the fight against sexual violence.
De Minaur frustrated after Alcaraz loss
Footage from the Australian’s locker room gave an insight into the world No.6’s frustration over repeated failures against Carlos Alcaraz.
Pilot identified after fiery plane crash south of Brisbane
The 73-year-old and his male passenger died shortly after the plane crash, which sparked a massive blaze that took almost 11 hours to extinguish.
Red Bull recruit crashes new car
New recruit Isack Hadjar crashed Red Bull’s new car during a pre-season shakedown in Barcelona.
ICE at the Winter Olympics: Agents to support US security, stirring anger in Italy
ICE and Border Patrol agents have come under heavy criticism in the United States after two citizens were shot dead in separate incidents in Minnesota.
Inside the hunt for a coach to capitalise on Australian rugby’s ‘most important window’
Of more than 40 contenders worldwide, a Kiwi champion exhibited the traits needed to replace Reds coach Les Kiss.
US to send ICE agents to Italy for Olympics
The US has revealed it would be sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the Winter Olympics in Italy.
King Charles meets Holocaust survivors
Survivor of the Holocaust told to ‘let go of the King’s hand’ during Buckingham Palace event on Holocaust Memorial Day.
Investigators reveal new details in Washington DC air crash
Multiple errors behind Washington DC air crash that killed 67 people, US investigators reveal.
New poll brings fresh pain for Liberal Party
One Nation’s Pauline Hanson leads Liberal leader Sussan Ley as preferred prime minister, according to a new poll today.
Death toll rises in US winter storm
Three brothers aged under 10 years have become the latest fatalaties in the giant US snowstorm.
Bushfire emergency continues in Victoria
The bushfire emergency continues today in Victoria, with temperatures in some parts to exceed 40 degrees.
North Queensland residents brace for further downpour
Residents in North Queensland remain on high alert today as torrential rain lashes the coast and pushes inland.
The unsung state school where seven students got perfect scores last year
The selective-entry Brisbane school specialises in STEM, but students say its secret sauce is a curriculum that lets them pursue their passions.
Brisbane Riverwalk to reopen next month after three-year closure
The 256-metre stretch has been off-limits since 2023, forcing long detours for the city’s cyclists and pedestrians.
Victoria heatwave LIVE: State swelters through record-breaking heatwave as Otways fire grows
The last time Victoria experienced such a prolonged heatwave was 2009, when Black Saturday saw the Mallee record 12 days above 40 degrees. Follow our rolling coverage.
Teachers will fight to double the number of student-free days
The teachers’ union says more curriculum days are vital for educators to get on top of their workloads, but others say it will place an extra burden on families.