Listen to Australian and world news and follow trending topics with SBS News Podcasts.
TRANSCRIPT
- An astronaut announced as the 2026 Australian of the Year
- Anger in Minneapolis after immigration agents shoot another civilian dead
- Alex de Minaur set to face Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open
—
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the nation's newest citizens ahead of ceremonies across the country on Australia Day.
He's urging people to come together and celebrate everything that unites the nation, describing Australia as the best country on Earth.
In a pre-recorded message, Mr Albanese said the day is about recognising the fullness and richness of Australia's history.
"Whether your ancestors have known and cared for this land for 65,000 years, or whether you join our Australian family today, pledging your loyalty to our people and our democracy at citizenship ceremonies right around our nation, we all count ourselves lucky to call Australia home. Yet this country we love and everything we have achieved together is not the result of luck. It has been built, defended and strengthened over generations by countless acts of service, courage, and kindness."
—
Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg has been named as the 2026 Australian of the Year after becoming the first to qualify as an astronaut under Australia's space program.
The 41-year-old was honoured for her contribution to Australia's emerging space industry, pledging to use her new platform to improve life on Earth and encourage children in STEM.
"The door has opened for Australia to take our place at the forefront of human endeavour, a chance to collaborate with other nations at the cutting edge of the cutting edge, showcase what we're made of, and access the collective discoveries and benefits that all involved countries will make, and it gave me hope, hope that one day more of the flags on spacesuits will follow. It's pinch me stuff to be qualified for missions to the space station, even the moon."
Dementia treatment pioneer Professor Henry Brodaty was honoured as Senior Australian of the Year.
The Young Australian of the Year went to Nedd Brockmann, an endurance runner helping to end homelessness.
And Indigenous construction leader Frank Mitchell was named as Australia's Local hero.
—
Tensions over Australia's national day are expected to continue this year with Invasion Day rallies due to be held in major cities across the country.
January 26 has attracted an annual protest since 1938, when First Nations people inaugurated a Day of Mourning.
Australia Day became a national public holiday in 1994, but more recent years have seen a surge in calls to change the date.
Keiran Stewart-Asheton is a spokesperson for Camp Sovereignty, an Aboriginal protest site in Melbourne.
He's urging non-Indigenous people to stop and think.
"I want to really stress that, you know, you need to know your place and where you are. You're on stolen, unceded lands. So you know, do you even know the Aboriginal nation whose land you're actually living on and what happened there. If not, go and do the research, learn the truth about the dark history of this colony, but don't just stop there, actually engage with the campaigns and the initiatives or your local mob and support them, pay the rent and do your part to help our struggle."
—
Tensions continue to escalate in the US city of Minneapolis after a second civilian was shot dead by the federal immigration agents.
It has further inflamed tensions sparked by the shooting of Renee Good and prompted fresh protests despite freezing weather.
Local officials have condemned the intensive immigration operation and questioned claims the protesters posed a threat.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz had this to say.
“This federal occupation of Minnesota long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement. It's a campaign of organised brutality against the people of our state. And today, that campaign claimed another life. I've seen the videos from several angles, and it's sickening.”
Mr Walz has activated the state's National Guard to assist local police amid the growing protests.
He says the federal government can't be trusted to properly investigate the recent deaths.
—
Alex de Minaur has crushed 10th seed Alexander Bublik in an Australian Open fourth-round demolition that sets up a quarter-final blockbuster against world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
The great local hope, de Minaur produced a masterclass on Rod Laver Arena to stun Bublik 6-4 6-1 6-2 – booking a rare consecutive quarter-final appearance at Melbourne Park.
The Australian will be looking for redemption, having lost all five showdowns with Alcaraz, and famous for never having gone beyond the quarter finals of a grand slam.
The pair are due to face off tonight.
