CNET News Digest
Daily News • Monday, 2 February 2026
Woman woman trapped under excavator in Perth
It’s believed an excavator came off a trailer in Champion Lakes, hitting the car behind it and trapping the woman in a ditch.
Best of cartoons, February 3, 2026
The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.
Three emergency-level bushfires rage across Perth
Firefighters have been put to the test with three emergency-level bushfires burning across Perth.
The latest illustrations from artist Cathy Wilcox
The latest work by the acclaimed Sydney Morning Herald editorial cartoonist.
Dialled in for that eye test
For when it’s off the charts.
Former senator Cory Bernardi is One Nation’s latest recruit
Pauline Hanson’s chief of staff has been teasing major defections, and there’s still speculation SA Senator Alex Antic may make the switch.
Top enforcer to police ‘the rules of the game’ as new boss of corporate watchdog
Sarah Court will take over as head of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in a sign that more action will be taken against misbehaving businesses.
Is reunion even a good idea for the Liberals and the Nationals?
Everyone is talking about the Coalition getting back together, but it’s hard to see it happening when it means only bad news for the party leaders – David Littleproud and Sussan Ley.
90 years after his father fought Franco, Kim granted Spanish citizenship in his honour
On Monday, Kim was confirmed as a Spanish citizen, signing a statement pledging allegiance to their king, constitution and laws, as a way of honouring Michael’s memory.
Fate of Coalition still in limbo after hopeful peace talks
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s backers are pleading with wavering Liberal MPs to keep her in the job until at least the federal budget in May.
Hero teen swims 4km to rescue family stranded in ocean off Dunsborough
The family had been kayaking and paddleboarding in Geographe Bay when they were swept out to sea in rough conditions.
Vow to save VicHealth causes headache for state government
The Coalition will block moves to scrap the health agency, leaving the government without the upper house votes it needs to abolish VicHealth.
Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopens for limited traffic in key step for ceasefire
About 20,000 Palestinian children and adults needing medical care hope to leave the devastated strip, while others outside the territory hope to return home.
What Cranbrook boys said to Cranbrook girls before their first day at the school
Girls at Cranbrook will make up about a quarter of students in year 7 and 11 in its first co-education intake.
Melania, panned by some film critics, opens with strongest documentary debut in a decade
There was little to compare it to, given that presidential families typically eschew in-office memoir releases to avoid the appearance of capitalising on the White House.
Ex-NRL player’s child-choking and assault charges heard
Charges against former NRL star Josh McGuire have been aired in court for the first time since he was accused of choking and assaulting a child.
Man charged with murder over death of newborn baby
A man has been charged with murder more than 18 months after a newborn baby died in a Queensland hospital.
Coronial inquest revisits 1994 disappearance of Sydney model
A coronial inquest is putting a spotlight on the mysterious disappearance of Sydney model and escort Revelle Balmain.
Koala survives trapped in car grille after crash in South Australia
A koala has been rescued after it was hit by a car and thrown through the grille in Adelaide’s southern suburbs.
Epstein links to Putin stoke fears he was a Russian agent
Some suggest the disgraced financier may have been running a “kompromat” scheme, “the world’s largest honey-trap operation” to blackmail prominent Americans.