The day

Friday 30 January 2026

10 stories, biggest first.

1. 1

   Sport2026 Australian Open

   In tennis, Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev in the men's singles semifinal of the Australian Open in a 5-hour and 27-minute match, the longest semifinal match in tournament history.

2. 2

   NewsIsrael–South Africa relations

   Israel expels South Africa's chargé d'affaires Shaun Byneveldt to reciprocate South Africa's persona non grata declaration on the Israeli ambassador following international incidents between the two countries in the wake of South Africa's genocide case against Israel.

3. 3

   CrimeEpstein files

   The United States Department of Justice releases more files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein following the passing of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the largest single-day release of said files, including over 3 million previously undisclosed documents.

4. 4

   PoliticsCuba–United States relations

   United States president Donald Trump declares a national emergency regarding Cuba in order to impose tariffs on countries that provide oil to it.

5. 5

   News2026 Balochistan attacks

   Pakistani security forces raid two militant hideouts and kill 41 insurgents in separate shootouts in the Harnai and Panjgur districts.

6. 6

   News

   At least one person is killed and six others are reported missing when a 72 ft (22 m) fishing vessel sinks off Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States.

7. 7

   CrimeKilling of Brian Thompson

   United States federal judge Margaret Garnett dismisses the federal murder and weapon charges against Luigi Mangione in the killing of former UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ruling out the death penalty against Mangione. The judge maintains the stalking charges, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

8. 8

   Politics

   Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announces a proposal for mass amnesty and plans to close the polemic El Helicoide prison.

9. 9

   Science

   A major find of alumina is announced to be found near Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada which is "equal to approximately a third of the world's known supply".

10. 10

    Crime

    Tunisian president Kais Saied extends a decade-long national state of emergency for 11 months.

Stories adapted from Wikipedia’s Current events portal for 30 January 2026, by Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.