Australian Breaking News Headlines & World News Online | SMH.com.au

12:35PM Mon Dec 26, 2016

Today's Paper
The Store
Our Network
News and Weather

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Age

Brisbane Times

Canberra Times

WA Today

Weather Zone
Business and Finance

AFR.com

afrmagazine.com.au
Lifestyle

traveller.com.au

essentialbaby.com.au

essentialkids.com.au

goodfood.com.au

oversixty.com.au

findababysitter.com.au
Classifieds

domain.com.au

drive.com.au

commercialrealestate

allhomes.com.au

adzuna.com.au

rsvp.com.au

** FILE ** In this Dec. 15, 2005 file photo, British singer George Michael poses for a photo session prior to a press ...

George Michael dies aged 53 on Christmas Day

BREAKING
1 hr ago

Photograph shows George Michael in concert at the Sydney Football Stadium. Friday 26th February 2010. Pic by James ...

'By George, he's still got it': The last time George Michael rocked Sydney

From the vault
1 hr ago

Traffic is building on the exits from Sydney.

Traffic jams hit 10km as holidaymakers, shoppers hit the road

5 mins ago

The heat was already kicking in as the sun rose in Hyde Park on Boxing Day.

Temperatures soar into the 40s as heatwave kicks in

Police on John Street in Lidcombe, where a man died early on Monday morning.

Trail of blood leads two women to body on Lidcombe path

51 mins ago

Breakthrough: Nathan Lyon celebrates dismissing Babar Azam.

Lyon draws first blood as early spin gamble pays off for Aussies

Live
53 mins ago

Christmas tragedy: Man dead after swimming at Royal National Park

Mike Baird is robbing families of their Christmas together

COMMENT

An outrageous fortune: How one man made $5 billion in 2016

Queen forced to miss Christmas service for first time in decades

Why this year's Sydney to Hobart may be the fastest of all time

1 hr ago

David Bowie

2016's grim toll: All the celebrities we have lost

27 mins ago

Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro line-up: Two 13-inch models and a 15-incher. One of the smaller models does not feature the ...

Glaring fault hands new MacBook Pro its first ever negative review

1 hr ago

BUCKLEBURY, BERKSHIRE - DECEMBER 25: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince ...

Kate breaks protocol, choosing kids over Royals for Christmas

Treating your credit card's minimum repayment as an anchor can lead to greater financial risk.

The 'anchor' credit cards use to trick you out of paying your debt

Christmas Day is still set to be a scorcher.

Sweltering through the hottest Christmas since World War II

null

Top five Christmas songs to get you into the festive spirit

This image released by Lucasfilm Ltd. shows Ben Mendelsohn as Director Krennic in a scene from "Rogue One: A Star Wars ...

Cinemas brace for big Boxing Day, but Star Wars ticket sales down

A successful Boxing Day requires good planning, and comfortable shoes.

How to survive the Boxing Day sales (Tip: BYO toilet paper)

Extended trading hours will take place across Sydney this festive season.

What's open, what's closed in Sydney over Christmas, New Year

Doom costs about $80 from Steam, owned by Valve Corporation.

Video games website Steam fined $3 million for refusing refunds

Your exclusive subscriber experience

A town in Tasmania called Nowhere Else, has the same name as a town in South Australia.

The state with the weirdest place names

Father Christmas’ house has been listed for sale for $876,000.

Santa Claus's North Pole home listed for sale

Wave House in Malibu

Eight beach houses we wish we were staying in this summer

The Victorian Italianate-style mansion was built in 1904 for MP and Supreme Court judge Augustus James and his wife Altona.

The 52 Sydney suburbs that set price records in 2016

Avoid these real-life mistakes when restoring or renovating a period home.

Experts reveal the worst renovations in heritage properties

A 2017 priority will be to review Operation Free Flow, a strategy of placing highway patrol officers on major arteries ...

Worst type of drivers named as road toll soars to six-year high

Rachel Olding

'We need a lot of things': Boxing Day sales kick off

Lisa Visentin

Coal miner gets expansion nod despite secret, incomplete studies

Peter Hannam

Sydney mum Faria Hossain.

'It was the only way to save my son': Sydney mum's miracle baby

Faria Hossain

Iraqi Chaldean's Slivana Toma with her husband Ramz Habib and their son Savio Ramz 2yrs after Christmas Mass at St ...

His parents fled, now Savio, 2, celebrates Christmas in 'freedom'

Missing man, Kim Mackell, last seen at Blackheath station.

Family of missing man seeks help to brighten their Christmas

James Lemon

The wheels of justice keep turning, even on Christmas Day

Domestic violence features heavily in bail court on Christmas day

Lisa Visentin

A woman had to be cut free from a vehicle after it crashed into a creek in the Moreton Bay region.

Woman's unborn baby killed in one of several Christmas crashes

English tourists Megan, Katie and Sammy enjoy the Christmas heat on St.Kilda Beach.

Melbourne sweats through hottest Christmas in 18 years

VIC
Neelima Choahan

A seven gill shark.

Shark sightings confirmed off Great Ocean Road beaches

VIC
Chris Vedelago

The woman will face court on December 28.

Woman charged with stabbing murder of man on Christmas Eve

Neelima Choahan

Senator Rod Culleton has been declared bankrupt.

Rod Culleton declared bankrupt, place in Senate in doubt

Fergus Hunter

How to fix our broken political system

COMMENT
Michael Gordon

Turnbull's five biggest mistakes and how he can fix them in 2017

COMMENT
James Massola

Sudanese man Faysal Ishak Ahmed, 27, has died after being airlifted to Brisbane from Manus Island due to a 'fall and ...

Why did Faysal die? The questions Peter Dutton has to answer

Michael Gordon

Compulsory, state-subsided preschool is something economists are switching on to.

A sure-fire budget fix - but politicians don't have the guts

COMMENT
Jacqueline Maley

Seventy-six per cent of the 1443 people surveyed agreed that the ABC should be protected from political interference.

ABC most trusted news source, poll shows, as minister accuses it of 'fake news'

Many experts have warned that personal phone data could be mined for civil lawsuits.

Australians' phone, email records could be used in civil lawsuits

Donald Trump.

Europe after Trump's win: it's not enough to denounce populism

COMMENT
Richard Ogier
57 mins ago

The Chile quake triggered a tsunami warning.

Major Chile earthquake tsunami warning lifted

Captain Niloofar Rahmani on the day after her graduation from a flight training program at Little Rock Air Force Base, ...

Afghanistan denies female air force pilot is in danger

1 hr ago

Egypt accuses the Qatar-based broadcaster of being a mouthpiece of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Al-Jazeera demands release of arrested producer

4 mins ago

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The genius of the UN's resolution on Israeli settlements

COMMENT
Bob Carr
11 mins ago

This image released by Disney shows Moana in a scene from the animated film Moana.

Why Moana is the perfect Disney princess for 2016

COMMENT
Joel Meares

Tom Wills as a young man in 1857/58, when he was regarded as the finest cricketer in Australia. At roughly the same time ...

The pioneering Aboriginal team that took cricket by storm

COMMENT
Greg de Moore

Illustration: John Shakespeare.

BusinessDay's summer quiz - part one

Thomas Hounslow

JDate would seem to be one of the success stories of online dating but all may not be rosy at owner Spark Networks, with ...

For online dating sites it's a bumpy road to love

Alina Tugend

Illustration John Shakespeare

It was the year of living dangerously: 2016 CBD Wrap

Colin Kruger, CBD

Gifts put us into a relationship with someone. They're like a maintenance fee for your relationship.

The gift economy: Why we keep buying presents no one needs

How a superhero toy could save Australian retail

Catie Low

Knowledge, not resources, drive our economic growth

COMMENT
Ross Gittins

Forget Christmas cheer for Seven board members

COMMENT
Elizabeth Knight

Front running, insider trading, collusion: Scandals keep rolling

COMMENT
Adele Ferguson

Pinstripes and more generous suiting are in.

Trends of the year: Relax guys, skinny suits on way out

Men's Suits
Stephen Lacey

Wines for drinking outdoors with old mates and an Esky.

Cheers to that! 50 of the best Australian wines under $50

Fine Drinks

Don't take the jolly out of your holiday season by overcommitting on your Christmas spending.

Warning about new 'buy now, pay later' system in festive frenzy

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

Illustration: Simon Letch

What happens to my health care card when I lose my pension?

Noel Whittaker

Adam Stone, entrepreneur and founder of Speedlancer.

22-year-old entrepreneur on to his second company

Bhakthi Puvanenthiran

Exit interviews are standard: but do they need to be rethought?

How to make exit interviews work

James Adonis

null

Boxing Day shoppers at it again

null

Drowning at Wattamolla lagoon

null

9-year-old critical, hit by car in Springwood

null

Animals evacuated in Kogarah vet fire

Hundreds roll down the slope of the Parliament House lawns

Fairfax photos of the week

Masters of sex - Stan

The sexual revolution will be televised. Every episode ever of Masters of Sex now streaming.

younger

Every episode ever of Younger, now streaming.

Meghan Markle opens up about racial abuse online

Mary Ward

The difference between fine and gross motor skills

Advertiser Content

Hit the road and escape the city

Advertiser Content

Still from the film PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK film stills supplied by Umbrella Entertainment 03 8415 0877

Producers respond to Hanging Rock backlash

Ebony Bowden

Musician Tim Minchin penned one of our most popular Aussie Christmas carols.

How writing a Christmas carol is Tim Minchin's proudest moment

Tim Byron

This image released by Disney shows Moana in a scene from the animated film Moana.

What's showing in cinemas on Boxing Day

Garry Maddox

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in the musicla <i>La La Land</i>.

Boxing Day releases reviewed: Oscars pundits take note

Paul Byrnes and Jake Wilson

Nigella Lawson in Simply Nigella.

The perfect recipe: hams, carols and a royal fixture

Michael Idato

Savannah Knoop, left, posing as JT LeRoy, with Laura Albert.

'I wrote out of suffering': Woman behind JT Leroy hoax speaks out

Jake Wilson

Denis Walter at rehearsals for Carols By Candlelight.

Denis Walter has performed at Carols for more than half his life

Kerrie O'Brien

Nothing in the world is free: You have to earn leisure, Christos Tsiolkas says.

Not just a life of leisure: Christos Tsiolkas on childlessness myths

COMMENT
Christos Tsiolkas

ShortList. All-female dance piece with a soccer theme in Sydney Festival 2017. Dancers (blue top) Miranda Wheen, (red ...

Dancers, soccer players ... they've got a lot in common

Elissa Blake

David Williamson, left and Anny Laplante in Circus 1903

Stuck for a last minute present? This could be your answer

Jason Blake

Chantelle van der Hoek as Clara and Edward Smith as the prince.

Company could do better than this ... a lot better

Jill Sykes

A comfy couch, doughnuts, coffee, and a book make this a pretty hyggelig nook.

Move over, Marie Kondo. The next lifestyle craze is all about coziness

Penelope Green

In happier times: Kim Kardashian West, husband Kanye West and Taylor Swift at the 2015 Grammy Awards.

Kimye vs Taylor and the rest of 2016's biggest celebrity feuds

Amy Croffey

A successful Boxing Day requires good planning, and comfortable shoes.

How to survive the Boxing Day sales (Tip: BYO toilet paper)

Melissa Singer

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom shared their Christmas spirit at Los Angeles Children's Hospital.

How the celebs spent Christmas

56 mins ago

Pink Shopping Lady with doughnut using technology

Why sometimes it pays to forget being frugal

COMMENT
Kate Hagerty

Harrison Ford: "Shocked and saddened" by his former co-star's heart attack.

Carrie Fisher's Hollywood friends react to news of her health crisis

Bryan Alexander

Claremont murder victims Ciara Glennon (left) and Jane Rimmer (right). Investigations into the disappearance of Sarah ...

How the Claremont serial killer changed Perth

Jenna Clarke

RETAIL . Generic . Woman in a long skirt sitting at a bus stop with her shopping in paper bags as Autumn leaves pass her ...

Where to find the best Boxing Day bargains at the shops and online

Melissa Singer

Your liver doesn't know it's the season to be jolly...

Your liver doesn't know it's the holidays

Steph Yin
1 hr ago

Turn it around in the new year and have more fun.

Lessons in wellness from 2016

Sarah Berry

Cheyann Shaw.

The bodybuilder Instagramming her battle with ovarian cancer

Lindsey Bever

Sometimes the revamped version is even better than the original.

Clever ways to revamp those Christmas leftovers

Ice-cream with fruit salad dressing.

Make Adam Liaw's vanilla ice-cream with fruit salad dressing

Fratelli Fresh is open on Christmas Day.

Which restaurants, bars and cafes are open over the holiday break?

Mum, Sarah, pays it forward with bathroom nappies and wipes in case of a "pickle".

Mum 'pays it forward' leaving nappies in bathroom

What is the definition of strength?

What is it that makes a woman 'strong'?

candy

Mariah Carey's ex-husband builds a 'candy room' for the kids

SMH NEWS
Sea Cliff Bridge that forms part of the Grand Pacific Drive on the scenic Lawrence Hargreave Drive south of ...

The nine summer road trips every Aussie should do

Lee Atkinson

Bridgewater Beach, Cape Bridgewater near Portland, Victoria.

Eight stunning Victorian gems you've probably never heard of

Gabrielle Costa

Woman making an online booking with a credit card and a laptop.

Traveller letters: We couldn't check in to our flight after booking online

Apple's 2016 MacBook Pro line-up: Two 13-inch models and a 15-inch. Consumer Reports found all three lacking in the ...

MacBook Pro slammed over battery issue

1 hr ago

A slime mould, or Physarum polycephalum, which can learn simple lessons by fusing with members of its own species.

How single-cell slime teaches without a brain

worst

The very worst gadgets of 2016

Gizmodo

surface

Christmas tech gift guide: Over $1000

There might be hope to jump on the high speed bandwagon even if Telstra has previously denied you access to the HFC ...

How I finally got Telstra to fix my internet

COMMENT

Mercedes-Benz is set to expand its small car range with a new A-Class sedan, featuring a more conventional body style ...

Mercedes plans A-Class sedan

Greg Kable

2017 Kia Picanto teaser.

New Kia Picanto teased

Drive Staff

Ford commit $450m to research and development in Australia in 2017.

Ford to invest $450m in Oz

Drive Staff

2017 Audi Q8 concept

Audi set to reveal new Q8 concept

Greg Kable

The last Australian-made Ford Falcon rolled off the production this October.

2016 will be remembered for...

The Drive Team

The Volkswagen Group has settled a compensation claim with owners of vehicles fitted with the 3.0-litre diesel engine in ...

Volkswagen reaches deal with 80,000 US owners

David Shepardson

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 26: Australian fans show their support during day one of the Second Test match between ...

Australia get their second wicket on the stroke of lunch

Live
Rohan Connolly
53 mins ago

Members of the team that played at the MCG on Boxing Day in 1866 and later went on tour.

The greatest team photo in Australian sporting history

Martin Flanagan

Channel Nine hopes that new players Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb will revitalise the Australian team.

Boxing Day at the MCG a test of nerves

Malcolm Knox

Enigma in 2011.

Enigma withdraws as Sydney-Hobart record looms large

James Buckley
1 hr ago

Meteoric rise: Australia's 100m freestyle gold medallist Kyle Chalmers.

The big 2016 sports quiz

Stephen Samuelson

Ready for anything: Balance skipper Paul Clitheroe (right) is preparing for a rough ride despite favourable conditions.

Will Sydney To Hobart be the fastest ever?

James Buckley
1 hr ago

Game-winner: Kyrie Irving hit the winning basket again for the Cavs.

Deja vu as Cavs come back to down Warriors

33 mins ago

Cleveland's Danny Shelton (right) and Jamie Meder celebrate their win.

Browns pull off a Christmas miracle

Nate Ulrich

Nic Maddinson has kept his spot in the Test side.

Nic Maddinson gets nod for Boxing Day Test

Jon Pierik

The revenue-sharing model is the best for Australian cricketers, says Tim May.

May day for ACA as lightning strikes twice

Greg Baum

Key to success: Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul-Haq says dismissing Steve Smith early will be vital to their chances in the ...

Here's how Pakistan hope to curb Smith

Jon Pierik

Save articles for later.

Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.