SBS News Headlines

An investigation launched into the death of two sailors in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race; Tributes for former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh; and in Tennis, Simona Halep withdraws from the Australian Open.

A cool change eases conditions for firefighters battling Grampians blaze; Family and friends of a 15-year-old who went missing in the Central Coast express devastation for their loss; LawConnect gains short-lived lead in Sydney to Hobart race

Victoria on high alert for bushfires; Russia launches a large scale aerial attack on several targets in Ukraine and Sam Konstas chalks up an early half-century at the Boxing Day Test.

Kazakh officials confirm 38 dead in Azerbaijani airliner crash; Russia confirms it's investigating reports an Australian citizen has been captured fighting for Ukraine and in cricket, a Melbourne heatwave for the Boxing Day Test.

Fire danger and damaging wind warnings for Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales; Families of 26 Australians remember Boxing Day tsunami’s devastation 20 years on; Five people are given jail sentences in relation to November incidents in Amsterdam.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praises the strength of Cyclone Tracy survivors; police conduct a search for 15-year-old male missing off the Central Coast and in tennis, World Number One Aryna Sabalenka lands in Australia ahead of upcoming summer tennis season.

Authorities in South Australia issue a fire ban for parts of the state; the United Nations warns of a worsening famine in Sudan and in cricket, Australia could be without its most important player for the Boxing Day Test.

South Australia authorities issue fire ban for parts of the state; World Bank announces $19 million recovery fund for Vanuatu; and in basketball, Dyson Daniels help Hawks to 117-104 win over Minnesota.

Federal government reaches out to Russia regarding reports of Australian soldier taken captive in Ukraine, New South Wales Opposition slams state government after rail union dispute threatens New Year's Eve show, The Tasmania JackJumpers prove they remain a force to be reckoned with in the NBL

Travellers warned to be alert to the fire danger across Australia over the next 48 hours, Cyclone Tracy's impact on Darwin remembered 50 years on, An investigation launched after football fans in Italy perform a salute popularised by dictator Benito Mussolini.