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

6:21PM Fri Feb 17, 2017

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

A storm passes over Sydney. 17th February 2017 Photo: Janie Barrett

Peak hour trains cancelled after lightning strikes

Live

US President Donald Trump was in good form at press conference.

This was not poltical strategy. It came right from Trump's gut

ANALYSIS

Mea culpa: Mitchell Pearce fronts the media in January last year.

‘What am I doing?' Pearce was in rehab with heroin addicts

Andrew Webster

Welcome to a world with no privacy.

'He was my husband too': Men leading secret lives are in for a shock

COMMENT

Lightning strikes Sydney City this afternoon from Brighton Le Sands. Picture Chris Lane

Hail stones as large as 50 cent pieces batter Sydney during storm

1 hr ago

Ellis focuses on several other factors – such as how young the proportion of young buyers relying on help from parents ...

MP's plan to let renters buy property without a deposit

Battered Aussie retailers to be smashed again by Asian chain

EXCLUSIVE
1 hr ago

Turnbull will consider any request for more troops for IS fight

David Wroe
1 hr ago

Trump's lap of honour a head-spinning collision between fact and fiction

COMMENT
Paul McGeough

Journalist learns fate after her article wrecked murder trial

Uber loses crucial 18-month court battle with Tax Office

44 mins ago

Jade Edmistone poses with her silver medal after the 100m breaststroke final at the FINA Swimming World Championships in ...

How I went from world swimming champion to attempting suicide

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Kyle Sandilands and Sophie Monk present on stage during the 30th Annual ARIA Awards ...

Kyle Sandilands is back in bully mode and it has to stop

COMMENT
1 hr ago

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2012 file photo, Adele performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. The ...

Eye-watering earnings: Adele raked it in on her last tour

Peter Capaldi ends his run as Doctor Who at the end of this season.

Unlikely star tipped to be the next Doctor Who

CHENNAI, INDIA - FEBRUARY 16: Harbhajan Singh of India in action during the 2011 ICC World Cup Warm up game against ...

Ruthless bowler sledges Australia ahead of India Test

null

Sydney struck by severe storm

Sean Spicer, White House press secretary, speaks during a press briefing.

How will Sean Spicer mangle your name? Spicer-ize yourself

Scott sisters

'You can't help but be struck by it': Sisters' work celebrated

The newly defined continent of Zealandia.

A new continent has been discovered right next to Australia

The new $10 note, starring Banjo Patterson

Our new $10 note contains a surprise, if you look close enough

Institutional trust is taking a hammering in President Donald Trump's relentless attacks on the media, the courts, and ...

Get in-depth analysis with subscriber exclusives

Subscriber First

An exclusive news experience where the best stories from smh.com.au are curated just for subscribers

Start Free Trial Already a subscriber

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference to announce Alexander Acosta as U.S. labor secretary nominee ...

Trust trumped as leaks appear in the White House

ANALYSIS
Paul McGeough

Taking a shine to alfoil couture in 1977.

What made Australians the most feverish ABBA fans?

Neil McMahon
54 mins ago

As many as 36 McGrath agents have left the company in recent months.

The perils of helping adult children buy a home

Daryl Dixon

See more on subscriber first

The new Parramatta light rail.

Premier reveals 16 new light rail stops for Sydney

'We are devastated': Three family members killed in farm tragedy

18 mins ago

'Explosion of activity': Race to become second CBD hots up

MERCURY. SPORT. pic of kiama rugby union coach craig wells and his big fijian recruit bruce rauqe Pic by sylvia Liber. ...

'Did you have fun?' Ex-Waratahs star jailed for raping drunk teen

Mercury.News.Commuter Chaos.A replacement coupling is installed on a freight wagon in a rail siding at Loftus. A freight ...

Sydney commuters face six-month closure of major train line

Qantas

Sydney Airport's flight path plan on collision course with residents

The royal commission is examining sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

Catholic church pays $280 million in sex abuse claims

Rachel Browne

Image of the fire from a NSWRFS aircraft.

'Too late to leave': Fire east of Queanbeyan out of control

ACT
35 mins ago

Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas.

Trial for Bourke Street killings could stretch out until next year

VIC

Four Canberra teenagers allegedly blackmailed people targeted through online dating apps.

Teenagers to face court over online-dating blackmail offences

ACT
Megan Gorrey
1 hr ago

Prime Minister John Howard during his address at the National Press Club in Canberra, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007. Howard ...

Liberal's One Nation deal gets ex-PM John Howard's blessing

WA

Ellis focuses on several other factors – such as how young the proportion of young buyers relying on help from parents ...

Let renters buy without deposit, says Turnbull government MP

Michael Koziol

'No plans to increase tax': PM shrugs off Abbott intervention

Heath Aston

What am I to say? Mate, eat a sandwich, you'll be all right?

Michael Gordon
1 hr ago

Australian Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs at a committee hearing in December.

Triggs defends handling of key 18c race-hate case

38 mins ago

Australian troops are training Iraqi soldiers for the fight against the so-called Islamic State.

Turnbull will consider more troops for Islamic State fight

1 hr ago

Iraqi troops turn an Islamic State flag upside down after the liberation of Fallujah last year.

IS fight could accelerate but it won't go down a whole new road

ANALYSIS
David Wroe
1 hr ago

U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a parent-teacher conference listening session inside the Roosevelt Room of ...

Hockey warns Trump over 'America First' rhetoric

Kim Jong-nam was killed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

It's impossible, say family of woman held in Kim Jong-nam case

Jewel Topsfield
24 mins ago

Kim Jong Nam in Macau, China, in 2010.

Malaysia tightens borders to stop four North Korean spies

Lindsay Murdoch

Galina Pyshnyak recounting story about a child's crucifixion. It never happened.

First fake news, then a resigned, indifferent public

Helen Womack

US President Donald Trump blamed most of the "chaos" on Obama and fake news.

Donald Trump unloads on media, leakers in long rant

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull claims to have led the national conversation about preventing violence by respecting women.

Is Turnbull's government just inept or actually cruel?

COMMENT
Anne Summers

There's no handbook for grieving (though someone has probably written one) and there's no right or wrong way to do it.

What I've learnt a year after my best friend's suicide

COMMENT
Andrew Mackinnon

The principles of the triage system used in prioritising medical care can also be applied when choosing which charities ...

How triage can help you support the right charity

COMMENT
Alistair Quinn

Former Queensland premier Anna Bligh in Melbourne on Friday. She will lead the Australian Bankers' Association from April.

Can Bligh win where bank bosses failed?

COMMENT
Adele Ferguson
1 hr ago

The ASX finished the week solidly higher, as mining companies and the big banks helped keep it in the black despite some ...

Miners and banks spur second week of ASX gains

Myriam Robin and Jessica Sier
23 mins ago

2016 was a modest year, with Australia inbound M&A spend falling 15 per cent year-on-year to $39.1 billion from 416 ...

Mergers and acquisitions set to explode in 2017

Jessica Sier
22 mins ago

Geoff Summerhayes says APRA will keep a close eye on climate change risks.

Climate change a 'material' risk to financial system

Clancy Yeates

Miniso to take on Aussie retailers with 300-store blitz

EXCLUSIVE
Carolyn Cummins
1 hr ago

Court ruling means you could soon pay more for your Uber ride

Liam Mannix
44 mins ago

We're about to suffer a worldwide olive oil shortage

'Inappropriate on every level': 20th Century Fox fake news stunt

Rezoning has been a buzzword in Castle Hill and surrounding suburbs, with home owners in these lucrative areas making ...

Castle Hill developer pays $40 million for just eight houses

Tour a tiny house this February as part of the Sustainable Living Festival.

Here's what the tiniest pre-made home in Australia looks like

Experts reveal the five kitchen trends to watch in 2017.

The hottest kitchen trends to watch out for in 2017

Amelia Barnes

The new look Domain: in Friday's AFR and Saturday's Age and SMH.

Your favourite property magazine has a brand new look...

Saving for a deposit is one of the challenges facing first-home buyers looking to enter the Australian property market.

First-home buyers 'falling away' as 10 per cent deposits dwindle

A beautiful beast of steel and copper.

Liquid gold: Are expensive coffee machines worth the hype?

Fine Drinks

Graham Watchmakers $500K Tourbillon Orrery Planetarian Watch - one of only 20 made.

Time out: An underground club for watch lovers arrives in Australia

Watches

Focus on maximising your after-tax income rather than tax minimisation.

The beauty of fully franked dividends

Scott Phillips

Centrelink is updating its "antiquated" telephone systems.

The wait continues at Centrelink and tips to navigate it

Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

No Lights No Lycra is now global and online.

No Lights No Lycra is taking over your phone

Cara Waters

Flush Fitness sells protein powder and other sports nutrition products.

Sports nutrition business collapses into administration

Cara Waters

null

Donald Trump vs The Media

null

'A day without immigrants' wins celebrity chef support

null

New 10 dollar note revealed

null

Is George going rogue?

Federal Politics

Young men dressed as Manggao (God of Mountain in Miao nationality) send blessing to people during the Manggao Festival ...

World of Photos

Stan - Billions

Binge every episode of Billions before the brand new season - 20th Feb

Stan - Imposters

Liar. Lover. Con artist - Imposters, new series premiering exclusively on Stan

The difference between fine and gross motor skills

Advertiser Content

Hit the road and escape the city

Advertiser Content

Ten activities to aid toddler development

Advertiser Content

Kyle Sandilands

Stop your bullying Kyle Sandilands

COMMENT
Christine Sams
1 hr ago

Tilda Swinton is the bookies' favourite to be Doctor Who's 13th Time Lord.

Tilda Swinton is favourite to become the next Doctor Who

Rob Moran

Midnight Oil announce a new tour after 15 years . Partially provoked by the political climate.

Midnight Oil announce dates for 2017 world tour

Bernard Zuel

Do you ever watch 'Love Actually' at Christmas time and ever wonder what happened to little lovesick Sam?

Love Actually's Sam all grown up as sequel begins shooting

Broede Carmody

Mariah Carey performs on Jimmy Kimmel.

Mariah Carey redeems herself with first live show since NYE

Broede Carmody

Mick Jagger's memoir, penned in the '80s, was rejected by publishers "because it was light on sex and drugs".

'Not enough sex' in Mick Jagger's unpublished memoir

Rob Moran

Mel Gibson at the AACTA Awards in Sydney last December.

Mel Gibson in talks to direct Suicide Squad sequel

Rob Moran

Tziporah Malkah, more famously known as Kate Fischer, reveals a conman swindled her of $2 million.

Tziporah Malkah reveals "con man" swindled her for $2 million

Christine Sams

15.2.2016 . BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA . The Sydney Morning Herald. Bobby Elliot drummer for the Hollies . photo by Robert ...

My years hanging with John, Paul, Elton and The Boss

Steve Meacham

Tomato Festival at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

What's on in Sydney: 10 things to hear, see and do this weekend

Milo Yiannopoulos, pictured on January 25, has gained notoriety for railing against feminists, Muslims and political ...

Alt-right extremist's book won't be published here

Linda Morris

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JULY 02: Mariah Carey performs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 2, 2016 in New Orleans, ...

Mariah Carey breaks all the rules about ageing 'divas'

COMMENT
Neha Kale

"So you can be a Sharia law supporter and be half-pregnant at the same time, C'mon," Senator Lambie said.

Jacqui Lambie is actually right about one thing on Islam

COMMENT
Ruby Hamad

The couple's frank discussion about infidelity in their relationship sparked heartbreak for people on Twitter.

#Hurtbae is the latest way the internet is going to break your heart

Annie Brown
50 mins ago

Susan Sarandon has said her sexual orientation is "open".

Susan Sarandon has no regrets about not supporting Hillary

Host Stephen Fry attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall.

Stephen Fry burns Donald Trump in the most polite way possible

Kanye West (and his new bleached blonde 'do) leaves the Yeezy show fashion during New York Fashion Week.

Kanye's low-key show leaves everyone confused. Even Kim.

ANALYSIS
Robin Givhan

Viola Davis (L) and Amy Adams attend The Weinstein Company, Entertainment Film Distributors, Studiocanal 2017 BAFTA ...

Pictorial proof that celebrity party season is in full swing

"This obit was intended to help bring closure because not talking about domestic violence doesn't make it go away."

Why this brutally candid obit made headlines around the world

Jacquielynn Floyd

Taking a revealing look at yourself.

How I got the body I always wanted

Sarah Berry

Not all processed foods are equal.

Not all processed foods are bad for you. How they're made matters

Cara Rosenbloom

Moody or depressed?

Is a teen moody? Or depressed?

PERRI KLASS, M.D.

Red should be drunk at room temperature and white should be chilled, right? Well, maybe.

Have you been drinking red wine the wrong way this whole time?

Taste test: Elsa the cat drinks Apollo Peak's 'cat wine' at Cat Town Cafe in Oakland, California.

Cat wine: Why drink alone when you can drink with your pet?

Irena Macri's raw beetroot and carrot salad with goat's cheese.

20 clever ways with a spiraliser: Sweet potato waffles anyone?

<i></i>

Song created just to make your baby gloriously happy

Not my kids!

I'm sick of looking after your children when you leave them alone

Should parents be rewarded for their kids' good behaviour?

Restaurant offers discounts to patrons with well-behaved kids

Russia's Aeroflot was named Best Airline in Eastern Europe in the 2016 Skytrax Awards.

Sorry, Qantas: Surprise airline named world's most powerful

Oliver Smith

Don't put those robes in your suitcase unless you're prepared to pay for them.

What you can - and can't - take from your hotel room

Michael Gebicki

Qatar Airways is now flying the world's longest route. But where is its destination?

Traveller quiz: World's longest flight route is from Doha to where?

Mal Chenu

Social media is increasingly playing a role in job searches.

Facebook wants to help you find a job

57 mins ago

Verizon's plans for Yahoo ran aground after Yahoo disclosed a string of data breaches.

Verizon wants $324m price cut on Yahoo deal

mammoth

How to make a woolly mammoth, 4500 years after it became extinct

Pewdiepie

PewDiePie responds to WSJ antisemitism report

Kotaku

ceres

A cradle of life on dwarf planet Ceres?

COMMENT

Subaru Impreza v Mazda3 v Holden Astra v Toyota Corolla.

Which is the best small car? Impreza v 3 v Corolla v Astra

Stephen Ottley

2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4S.

Eight questions: Porsche 911 Targa 4S

Stephen Ottley

The 2017 Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Eight things you need to know about the new Ferrari 812 Superfast

David McCowen

Hyundai is set to enter the compact SUV market with a new offering, similar to its ix25 concept pictured.

Hyundai prepares Mazda CX-3 rival

Daniel DeGasperi

2017 Hyundai i30. Embargo: 8/9/2016

Hyundai to launch 10 new models by 2018

Daniel DeGasperi

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet.

Driven: Mercedes C63 S Cabriolet

Andrew MacLean

Mea culpa: Mitchell Pearce fronts the media in January last year.

‘What am I doing here?’ Pearce talks of rehab with heroin addicts

Andrew Webster

Erin Bell of Adelaide Thunderbirds.

Millions of dollars can't be wrong: the queen bee of women's sport

James Buckley
35 mins ago

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 03: Nathan Lyon, David Warner and Steve Smith of Australia sing the national anthem during ...

Two days. It's the secret to beating India on their home turf

Malcolm Knox
1 hr ago

Feeling good: The Sky Blues are in the midst of something special.

Improving Sydney FC edge towards perfection

Michael Cockerill

Tim Simona faces deregistration from the NRL.

Tigers player faces NRL ban after 'breaches of gambling rules'

UPDATED
Michael Chammas
1 hr ago

Ruthless assessment: Harbhajan Singh.

No mercy: Harbhajan Singh ruthlessly sledges Australia

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 07: Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold at training Macquarie University sports fields on ...

The surprising press conference from Arnold

Dominic Bossi

New deal: In allowing Kieran Foran to play, the NRL again shines a light on its own hypocrisy.

Ex-News Corp boss savages NRL over Foran's abuse of Wilson

Andrew Webster

Quick-footed: Israel Folau during a trial against the Highlanders. RUPA would like a competition format that pits ...

No longer the best fit: RUPA warns ARU over Super Rugby plans

Georgina Robinson
30 mins ago

The All Blacks with the Webb Ellis Cup.

Dan Carter apolgises for drink-driving incident

UPDATED

"The beauty of our squad is we've got a lot of guys pushing for spots now": Nick Frisby.

Frisby hoping Quade combo is Test ticket

Vince Rugari
11 mins ago

Save articles for later.

Return to the homepage by clicking on the site logo.