Sydney Morning Herald Digest
Daily News • Wednesday, 28 January 2026
Australian Open 2026 LIVE updates: Rybakina storms past Swiatek; Anisimova, Djokovic, Sinner in star-studded quarters; Aussies in doubles quarters, semis action
Follow live as we bring you all the action from day 11 of the year’s first grand slam.
Australia news LIVE: MP Colin Boyce to move spill motion for National Party leadership; Littleproud reacts; Imams slam Morrison for Islam comments in Jerusalem
Follow along as we bring you the latest live news updates from Australia and beyond.
Former CFO in court over $3m Brisbane surgeon kickback scheme
The former Australian chief financial officer for Corporate Travel Management has been charged over an alleged plot involving the use of medical devices by Brisbane spinal surgeons.
Rybakina downs Swiatek to reach semis
Elena Rybakina beats Iga Swiatek to reach the Australian Open semi finals.
Millman marvels at Levi’s miracle play
John Millman marvels at Maddison Levi’s miracle play for the Australian sevens team.
We found a dream escape during COVID. Five years on, we keep going back
After eight months of inner-city lockdown, home-schooling and curfews, an escape to rural Victoria was a breath of fresh country air.
Infini zeroes in on discovery in Canadian uranium heartland
Infini Resources has completed an advanced drill-targeting review at its Reitenbach Lake uranium project, in Canada’s Athabasca basin, ahead of the next round of exploration.
ASX loses steam as inflation surprise boosts rate rise chances
The Australian sharemarket has shed early gains after the release of the latest inflation data, while the Australian dollar broke through the US70¢ barrier on Wednesday morning to hit a three-year-high.
Littleproud to face leadership challenge from rogue MP
Colin Boyce said he was calling for a spill because it was “political suicide” for the Nationals leaving the Coalition, but David Littleproud said he stood by his record.
WA news LIVE: Identity of Invasion Day rally ‘bombmaker’ to be kept secret
Follow our live coverage here.
Police have released footage of a man following alleged sexual act on train
Police are appealing for help to identify a man following an alleged sexual act on a train in Sydney’s west.
Muslim leaders slam Morrison as ‘reckless, irresponsible’ after Islam speech
Andrew Bragg has urged Australian Muslims to take some responsibility for religious extremism, after Scott Morrison told an antisemitism conference in Israel that Islamic leaders should enforce stronger standards on their communities.
World in pictures, January 28, 2026
The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by The Age picture editors
Rybakina takes first set
Elena Rybakina closes out the first set of her quarter final by breaking the serve of Iga Swiatek on Rod Laver Arena.
The Russian brainrot song taking children by storm
Academics are puzzled, but Sigma Boy is spreading faster than nits.
Lift in inflation puts pressure on RBA for rate rise
The end of power subsidies and high-priced air travel pushed up inflation to 3.8 per cent in December, but underlying price pressures may be easing.
Is this $75 stunner Brisbane’s best pasta?
South Bank’s Otto restaurant isn’t cheap, but it’s just about always excellent value, and nothing exemplifies that better than this spectacular dish.
We rejected the composer, but Sydney has embraced his Hansel & Gretel
A revival of the 1992 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s famous work is back on stage at the Opera House.
‘Nervous as hell’: Tumbleweed spike creates messy fire hazard in Melbourne’s west
Tumbleweeds are filling up the streets of the outer west, blocking doorways and covering front yards for metres, creating fuel for potential fires.
Carlos Alcaraz receives marriage proposals from the Australian Open crowd
Carlos Alcaraz was proposed to three times consecutively at the 2026 Australian Open.