Squiz Today Plaudits and protests on Australia Day, and a very big climb
Jan 26, 2026
Coverage of Australia Day honours, new citizens and the protests and clashes that followed. Reports on extreme weather and bushfire risks across several states. Details of a Minnesota shooting tied to protests and a large NSW manhunt amid heat challenges. Sports updates including a big tennis quarterfinal. A gripping account of Alex Honnold’s rope-free skyscraper climb in Taipei.
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Australia Day: Honors Amid Division
- Australia Day combined national honours, citizenship ceremonies and strong calls for unity from Anthony Albanese.
- Simultaneously, large protests demanded treaty talks and inquiries into Indigenous deaths in custody, showing deep national division.
Perth Device Attack And Evacuation
- Protesters and counter-protesters clashed across cities on Australia Day with the worst incident in Perth.
- A device was thrown into a protesting crowd, prompting evacuation and a 31-year-old man taken into custody.
Weather Compounds Tensions
- Severe weather and heat affected Australia Day events, with ex-cyclone Luana hitting WA and highs over 40C elsewhere.
- Ongoing Otways bushfire and forecast heat have authorities on alert during the long weekend.