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How Emily took advantage of one of the few ‘good things’ to come out of COVID
Chemotherapy and a transplant makes it hard for Emily West to go outside, but a post-pandemic explosion in telehealth has made it easier for her to get the care she needs.
- by Angus Thomson
Exclusive
Education
Revealed: Sydney’s most overcrowded primary and high schools
While one public school has hit 2200 students, others are sitting underused with room for hundreds more pupils. Search the full list to see how crowded your school is.
- by Lucy Carroll and Nigel Gladstone
Analysis
Victorian budget
Victoria the ‘basket case’ state: This debt isn’t like a household mortgage
Most home owners understand that if you are serious about getting your mortgage under control, you can’t keep borrowing more money to pay for other things.
- by Chip Le Grand
Coalition wants humanitarian overhaul of deportation bill
The opposition is demanding the government dramatically rein in its deportation bill with 17 recommended changes up for negotiation.
- by Angus Thompson
Investigative journalist defends stories on renowned orthopaedic surgeon
Charlotte Grieve told the Federal Court that her articles about surgeon Munjed Al Muderis were fair and based on patients’ experiences.
- by Melissa Cunningham
We asked Victorians what they thought of the budget. This is what they told us
It’s a tight budget with a few standouts for families, but Victorians still have plenty to say.
- by Najma Sambul, Lachlan Abbott, Caroline Schelle and Sherryn Groch
Analysis
Quantum Computing
Confused by the quantum computing race? It’s just like the Oscars
The government just bet $1 billion on one kind of quantum. But there are many other contenders in the race for the golden gong.
- by Angus Dalton
Trump re-election could lead to civil war in the US
America has a political system that, after 250 years, is no longer fit for purpose. Donald Trump wants to blow it all up.
Driver in Lamborghini crash also accused of killing spectator at burnout event
A Ballarat mechanic has been refused bail after crashing into a house six months after he was involved in a fatal crash at a car festival in regional Victoria.
- by Erin Pearson
Australia news as it happened: RBA holds interest rates steady at 4.35 per cent; PM contacts China over flare drop in front of fighter jet
Polling shows men swing to support Coalition, Jim Chalmers promises budget spending and an Australian helicopter in near miss with Chinese fighter jet.
- by Josefine Ganko and Caroline Schelle
Updated
Sydney councils
‘Not Marrickville or Newtown’: Sydney council bans same-sex parenting books
Books that include same-sex parenting content have been banned from eight western Sydney libraries, prompting threats from an angry state government to review the council’s funding.
- by Jessica McSweeney
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israeli tanks take control of Gaza side of Rafah crossing
The Gaza Crossings Authority said in a statement that Israel’s takeover was a “death sentence” against Gazans, particularly the ill and injured.
- by Sam Mednick, Josef Federman and Bassem Mroue
‘Stop provocations’: China fires back at Australia over Yellow Sea flare incident
The encounter has strained efforts to stabilise relations with Beijing and comes as Australian officials prepare to host a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
- by Matthew Knott and Olivia Ireland
Updated
Interest rates
RBA inflation outlook ups pressure on Chalmers ahead of budget
The Reserve Bank revealed it expects price pressures to grow through the rest of the year, which may require another lift in official interest rates.
- by Rachel Clun and Shane Wright
Updated
Around the clubs
Timely return for Latrell as injury-hit Rabbitohs bring in rookies
The star fullback is back from a three-week ban as interim head coach Ben Hornby patches together the wounded Bunnies.
- by Christian Nicolussi and Billie Eder
Updated
World markets
ASX lifts after RBA leaves rates on hold
The Australian sharemarket extended gains after the Reserve Bank left interest rates unchanged, with the bourse building on its early gains following a strong finish on Wall Street.
- by Millie Muroi
Updated
Courts
Detective’s alleged teen rape victim ‘kept asking to leave’ when he groped her in police car, court told
The then-19-year-old has accused the sex crimes detective of raping her, and thought she had to ask permission to leave his car because “he was a cop”.
- by Clare Sibthorpe
Supermarket inquiry lays out plan for pricing crackdown
The Senate inquiry into supermarket prices has released its final report and 14 recommendations including powers to break up big supermarkets and a strengthened food and grocery code of conduct.
- by Jessica Yun
‘Fatally flawed’: Crossbench anger after Senate report stops short of lobbying reform
A Senate inquiry has rebuffed calls for stricter controls on the hundreds of lobbyists who gain access to Parliament House to influence politicians.
- by David Crowe
Exclusive
Police
Former television reporter charged with choking woman
Now a corporate consultant, Liam Cox, 39, has been charged over an alleged domestic violence incident at a home in Sydney’s east.
- by Sally Rawsthorne and Sarah McPhee
Analysis
Victorian budget
The budget is brimming with hairy-chested spin. But the reality is far more nuanced
Treasurer Tim Pallas says the budget aims to tackle two really big problems: high inflation and workforce shortages. But if you take the coming financial year as a benchmark, the reality is far more nuanced.
- by Josh Gordon
Five things to know about the Australian economy
Here are the key takeaways on the economy from the Reserve Bank’s latest monetary policy statement.
- by Rachel Clun
‘It was a tough upbringing’: Why Taylan May has ‘pain’ inked on his face
The young Panthers centre opens up about his tattoos, a controversial Instagram post, and trying to stop Stephen Crichton.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Inside the White House scramble to broker a deal in Gaza
Over the course of a few hours, the news from the Middle East came into the White House Situation Room fast and furious. Officials rushed to work out the truth.
- by Peter Baker
Violent abuser allowed to stay in Australia after attacking partner with bat
A tribunal has cancelled plans to deport a repeat abuser who attacked his partner in the NSW town of Orange after years of criminal behaviour.
- by Perry Duffin
Groundbreaking? No, but these celebrities won the Met Gala red carpet
The Met Gala isn’t really a place for setting trends, but these celebrities were best in show.
- by Melissa Singer
Box billionaire goes Pratty in pink at the Met Gala
Visy cardboard king Anthony Pratt was one of the brightest figures on the glamour carpet in New York, if not the best dressed.
- by Stephen Brook and Kishor Napier-Raman
Mona heads to Supreme Court in fight to keep Ladies Lounge for women
The art gallery was ordered to close a women-only exhibit last month after a NSW man launched an anti-discrimination case.
- by Gabriella Coslovich
Opinion
Renewables
Not everyone will celebrate AGL’s improved profit outlook
Amid a cost-of-living crisis, energy companies have large targets on their backs, along with supermarkets, banks and airlines.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Bonza’s lessors push ahead with plans to remove planes from Australia
Lawyers told the Federal Court that Bonza’s aircraft leases had been terminated last week, while emails confirm its backers knew in March of a plot to shut it down.
- by Amelia McGuire
‘This is not a good deal’: Merivale’s $18m class action settlement derailed
A group of current and former employees alleging $129 million in underpayments now wants to abandon the settlement agreement.
- by Bianca Hrovat
Surfers murdered in Mexico among more than 430,000 killed since 2006
The deaths of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson have shocked the local community and sparked tributes from across the globe.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Met Gala 2024 as it happened: Cardi B stops red carpet traffic, while Zendaya changes looks
It’s the first Monday in May (at least in New York City), and that means it’s time for Anna Wintour’s Met Gala aka fashion’s biggest night.
- by Melissa Singer, Damien Woolnough and Nell Geraets
Analysis
Victorian budget
How much money COVID-19 era taxes are raking in for Victoria
These graphs break down expected sources of tax revenue, whether the budget will be in deficit over the coming years and the scale of Victoria’s debt.
- by Craig Butt
Main defence witness in trial of Michael and Lindy Chamberlain dies
Scientist Barry Boettcher said tests on the Chamberlains’ car showed the presence of copper dust – not blood.
- by Malcolm Brown
How a disgraced designer and simple dress code saved the Met Gala
John Galliano creations were the standout at this year’s fashion Oscars with support from Kim Kardashian and Gwendoline Christie.
- by Damien Woolnough
Australian gets Beethoven’s hair tested – and may have solved mystery of his deafness
An Australian businessman with a passion for Beethoven wanted to honour the composer’s request in 1802 that doctors one day try to figure out why he had been so ill.
- by Gina Kolata
Opinion
World markets
Gold fever: Why China and the rest of the world are stocking up
The gold price is behaving very strangely, but there is a simple explanation.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Lehrmann faces legal action from ex-landlord over Sydney northern beaches pad
Bruce Lehrmann, who lost a multimillion-dollar defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson last month, had his rent at the property covered by Seven.
- by Michaela Whitbourn and Kate McClymont
From the footy field to the stage for this Indigenous dancer
Indigenous dancer Thomas ES Kelly says his work SILENCE has a message for all Australians.
- by Chantal Nguyen
This tale of the Nazi resistance is both gentle and heartbreaking
From Hilde, With Love avoids Nazi film cliches while telling the story of a brave couple in 1942.
- by Jane Albert
‘I have to watch every word I tell you people,’ says Trump after judge flags jail
The NY judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal trial has had enough of the ex-president’s gag order violations.
- by Shayna Jacobs, Tom Jackman, Devlin Barrett and Marianne LeVine
Analysis
NRL 2024
Panthers or Roosters? Why David Fifita is weighing up Titanic decision
As the deadline for a decision looms, we weigh up the best option for the NRL’s most in-demand man, David Fifita.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Exclusive
Literature
The Weirdo books once had a ‘prettiest girls list’. Now, they are re-recording the audiobooks
The best-selling children’s book author is revising his Weirdo audiobooks to remove a “prettiest girls” list. “I was ranked low on a list and it affected me for years,” he says.
- by Kerrie O'Brien and Marika Dobbin-Thomas
This Australian uni is considering expanding into Saudi Arabia. It’s caused a stir back home
The institution was the first foreign university to be granted a licence to explore opening in the authoritarian kingdom.
- by Daniella White
Five years ago Tiana tried boxing for the first time. Now she’s off to the Olympics
Tiana Echegaray went to a boxercise class in 2019 to keep fit and it has led her to competing at her first Olympics at the age of 30.
- by Jonathan Drennan
Graphic content
Child abuse
‘Most evil crimes imaginable’: Childcare worker, partner jailed for decades
The NSW childcare worker and his partner abused dozens of children over several years and filmed the acts.
- by Clare Sibthorpe
Ray Hadley has major win in fugitive Jean Nassif’s defamation case
A judge said a photo of Jean Nassif at a casino appeared to reflect that he was “living his life in Lebanon, apparently unrestricted by any health issues”.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Swiss army knife goes blade-less as weapon rules tighten
The Swiss Army Knife, the iconic, more than century-old fold-up tool used by whittlers, soldiers and even astronauts, will soon be available without a blade.
- by Paula Doenecke
Moloney falls short against Takei in Tokyo, losing bantamweight crown
Australia is without a reigning male world boxing champion after Jason Moloney’s unanimous points loss to a man in just his ninth professional boxing fight.
- by Murray Wenzel
Analysis
BNPL
Critics warn changes to buy now, pay later don’t go far enough
Until now, these wildly popular facilities like Afterpay and Zip have slipped through the cracks of the National Credit Code. But that is soon to change.
- by Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon
Updated
Earnings season
ANZ boss warns of widening financial stress as profits slide 7 per cent
ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott said there were “very real stresses” in the economy, but that much of it was outside the banking system.
- by Millie Muroi
‘New round of escalation’: Putin’s Russia threatens UK, plans tactical nuclear drills
The drills are a response to “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal: what we know so far
Hamas said on Monday it had agreed to a three-phased deal for a ceasefire, although an Israeli official said the deal was not acceptable.
- by Andrew Mills
Opinion
Russia-Ukraine war
Vladimir Putin humiliated as his gas empire crumbles
Vladimir Putin is throwing everything he has got at ramping up Russia’s war machine. But it does not include one previously reliable source of cash.
- by Tim Wallace
Batting phenom Fraser-McGurk opens up on World Cup snub
Australian short-form batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk said he didn’t feel he had earned a place in the T20 World Cup squad despite his recent pyrotechnics in the Indian Premier League.
While his band was away on tour, a military coup erupted at home
On new album Funeral for Justice, Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar lets rip ferocious riffs steeped in urgent anti-colonialism.
- by Nick Buckley
Jobs at Bunnings: How Australia’s musicians, actors and artists scratch a living
Half of Australia’s working artists are earning as little as $200 from their craft as the sector falls deeper into crisis.
- by Linda Morris
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Hamas says it accepts ceasefire deal while Israel claims operations continue
Potential ceasefire talks come as Australia is preparing to cast a potentially controversial vote on whether to admit Palestine as a full member of the United Nations.
- by Matthew Knott and Reuters
NSW Police to use metal detectors against knife violence
The Minns government is giving police more powers after a spate of high-profile stabbings, including the Bondi Junction attack and the Wakeley church assault.
- by Alexandra Smith
New ‘vibrancy’ reforms to avoid repeat of The Joey trading saga
The Palm Beach restaurant’s hopes of nighttime dining were dashed after residents living half a kilometre away complained. A new law is set to avoid a repeat.
- by Anthony Segaert
Inside the $6 million war between Racing NSW and the major sponsor of The Everest
A slump in betting and ticket sales for a support race on Everest day has left two of horse racing’s major players at loggerheads. Tabcorp has described the action as “embarrassing and irrelevant”.
- by Adam Pengilly
Ben Cousins won’t be part of the football hall of fame’s class of ’24
Former West Coast champion and skipper Ben Cousins will not be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2024 and is not considered likely to be added to the honour roll any time soon.
- by Jake Niall
How pop music met its Waterloo in ABBA
What is it about ABBA’s songs that generate angst and ardour? English music writer Giles Smith tries to find out.
- by Michael Dwyer
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Trumpeting a terrible vision: What awaits if Biden loses … or even wins?
Donald Trump has outlined his manifesto for a second term, and it’s a disquieting smorgasbord of retribution and paranoia.
- by Peter Hartcher
Opinion
HECS
Until Labor arrests the ballooning cost of uni, students are still being short-changed
It remains to be seen how much difference a sometimes-reduced rate of indexation is going to make. Certainly, some. But the root of the problem remains.
- by Rachel Withers
Landlords hike rents nearly 50 per cent since the lows of lockdown
Rental prices for units have skyrocketed since COVID-19 lockdown, and house rents have jumped too. Is any relief in sight?
- by Jemimah Clegg
Exclusive
Domestic violence
To the police she was a missing person. Erika knew her ‘perfect friend’ was dead
Erika Wadlow-Smith won’t forget the moment her phone lit up with messages about the disappearance of her friend Shereen Kumar.
- by Sarah McPhee
Exclusive
Crime
‘Not the actions of a man of grace’: Bishop rebuked for ‘sordid’ behaviour
A criminal charge was dismissed but a magistrate found Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel had still taken advantage of a “vulnerable and confused young woman for his own pleasure”.
- by Patrick Begley
To avoid muscle loss as you age, consider picking up the pace
When done right, adding sprints to a workout can make your body stronger and more resilient.
- by Michael Venutolo-Mantovani
Exclusive
Animal Justice Party
The Animal Justice Party hired a former greyhound lobbyist, sparking a factional fight
Though still a minor political player, the party’s primary vote has steadily grown. As it moves to a national political entity, different factions have emerged and are vying for power.
- by David Estcourt
Exclusive
Political leadership
Men swing support to Dutton as Labor loses ground in battleground states
An exclusive survey shows male voters cut their support for Labor from 37 per cent in the final months of 2023 to 31 per cent in the first months of 2024.
- by David Crowe