A widespread heatwave across four states and territories has prompted warnings from health officials, as millions mark the beginning of the long weekend, crowds have gathered at marches across the country, calling for the date of Australia Day to be changed as a sign of respect towards Indigenous people, an inmate in Alabama is set to become the first person in the US to be executed with nitrogen gas today, after losing a last-minute appeal and to sport – Pat Cummins has been named the ICC cricketer of the year.