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Energy
Government could find itself a target in electricity royal commission
The Scott Morrison government could be in for a rude surprise if it carried out a royal commission into the electricity sector, industry experts say.
- by Cole Latimer
Exclusive
Waste
Polluters to be stripped of profits in environmental crime crackdown
The new framework will potentially see millions of dollars returned to the public purse.
- by Lisa Visentin
State Parliament
'Lacklustre': Senior Liberals fear Wagga Wagga byelection wipeout
NSW Liberals warn that they face “humiliating loss” in Wagga Wagga because of an “expensive but lacklustre campaign”.
- by Alexandra Smith & Lisa Visentin
Banking royal commission
Banks push to close credit union, payday lender 'loophole'
Banks are calling for a "loophole" in consumer protections to be closed, saying all lenders should be required to meet new minimum behaviour standards.
- by Clancy Yeates
Gender equality
Days of 'boozy, boys’ culture not over, says top businesswoman
Women in banking have long been confronted by a “boozy, boys culture", and those days are not yet over, says leading businesswoman Ann Sherry.
- by Nassim Khadem
CBD
CBD: The deal with the art of dealing with the arts
There’s one thing that’s bound to raise more interest than the Jean Dubuffet sculpture at Sydney Contemporary: who will be the next Australia Council chief
- by Kylar Loussikian
Animals
'Revved up': Land being cleared at the rate of 14 football fields a day in northern NSW
The rate of land clearing in northern NSW more than tripled after the Berejiklian government eased native vegetation protection in 2017.
- by Peter Hannam
Startups
Mark Manson: How not to get hung up about your business
The author of the bestselling book 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F-ck' has some advice for business owners.
- by Cara Waters
Science
Blood test to better predict heart attacks being developed in Melbourne
The scientists behind the research want to bring cholesterol testing, which is now more than 50 years old, firmly into the 21st century.
- by Liam Mannix
Exclusive
Police
Police officer pictured at Bulldogs' Mad Monday party may be disciplined
The officer's involvement is "currently being considered with regard to the Code of Conduct."
- by Jenny Noyes
Today's cartoons: The illustrated news
The news of the day as interpreted in the work of our award-winning cartoonists.
Today's tips
Race-by-race guide to Friday’s meeting at Tuncurry
Tips and race-by-race preview by Neil Evans for Friday’s meeting at Tuncurry. Selections based on a likely soft (7) track.
- by Neil Evans
Public service
After chasing Centrelink debts, Human Services cuts jobs in focus area
About 80 won't have jobs at Christmas, but these aren't cuts, the department says.
- by Sally Whyte
Development
North shore residents want Sydney's embattled Luna Park to stay: poll
A court ruling has again cast doubt over Luna Park's long-term viability, but the venue says even north shore residents want it to stay.
- by Megan Gorrey
Immigration
Public servant submits 29 fake medical certificates in sick leave ploy
Documents obtained under freedom of information laws show another employee changed the font on a medical certificate to dupe his managers.
- by Nicole Hasham
Canberra
Will Canberra Liberals make a serious lower house play next election?
Zed Seselja is set to push to return to the Senate, but which Liberals will join him on the hustings?
- by Sally Whyte
Exclusive
Education
'School shopping': The trend leaving Sydney's high schools half-empty
Dozens of high schools sit-half empty as parents bypass their local schools
- by Jordan Baker & Nigel Gladstone
Exclusive
Retail
'Ongoing systemic issues': Domino's Pizza still breaking rules: watchdog
The Fair Work Ombudsman believes Domino's Pizza remains riddled with workplace law breaches.
- by Patrick Hatch
Hawthorn
Hamstring injury to Ben Stratton adds to Hawk woes
Hawthorn is uncertain how serious it is but the premiership defender is in doubt for next Friday night's semi-final
- by Peter Ryan
Richmond
'I love the kid': Hardwick leaves door ajar for Ellis return
Richmond will take a horses for courses approach at selection for their preliminary final in a fortnight.
- by Daniel Cherny
Nauru
'Insolent' China says Nauru should apologise for slight on envoy
The war of words comes after the Pacific Island forum held in Nauru prompted the criticism that China was a 'bully'.
Richmond
New finals foes, same irresistible Richmond
There was plenty of new, but the increasingly familiar script played out.
- by Daniel Cherny
Match report
Martin's Tigers roar into another preliminary final
Richmond's chaotic brand of football wasn't pretty but their fans loved it as they charged into their second consecutive preliminary final.
- by Peter Ryan
LIVE
Richmond
As it happened: Richmond's big statement to open finals
The 2018 AFL finals series not only begins in style - it's also an historic night for the league. This is the first final between the long-time members of the VFL/AFL.
- by Scott Spits
Panthers
Alexander backs Ciraldo to coach Panthers next year
Panthers director Greg Alexander has declared Cameron Ciraldo is more than capable of remaining head coach next season.
- by Adrian Proszenko
The Cauliflower
Israel Folau
Foley to shake off demotion and re-sign with Australian rugby
Plus the secret meeting designed to give Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest and World Series Rugby an entree into western Sydney.
- by Georgina Robinson
Australia rugby
Toomua ready to take Wallabies starting opportunity
In May, Matt Toomua thought he'd never play for the Wallabies again. Now, after two cameos off the bench, he will get his first start for Australia in two years on Saturday.
- by Tom Decent
US Open
Fairytale ends but surge whets Millman’s appetite for big time
'I’ve had a taste of it and I’d love to have a bit more of a feed,' says the plucky Australian after his tough straight sets loss to Novak Djokovic.
- by Darren Walton
Bulldogs
Dogs on a tight leash at subdued presentation night
A muso could be heard strumming a guitar as part of the entertainment. However, there was nothing from Neil Diamond’s back catalogue on the playlist.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Renting
'Get two jobs': Top property lobbyist's advice for people struggling to pay rent
Malcolm Gunning said he did not accept there was a rental affordability crisis in Sydney and Melbourne.
- by Michael Koziol
Roosters
NRL monitoring Mad Monday drink spike case as Nikorima return blocked
The code's integrity unit is quietly monitoring the case in which a former Wyong Roos players was offered $7000 to falsely claim he had spiked a teammate's drink at a Mad Monday party.
- by Adam Pengilly
Education
'NAPLAN a serious distraction': top principal says test must go
The head of a top Sydney private school says no educators support what NAPLAN has become and that schools could face fee increases.
- by Pallavi Singhal
Dragons
Dufty blow-up proves there's passion at the Dragons: Graham
James Graham is nothing if not philosophical about his dressing room run-in with teammate Matt Dufty.
- by Christian Nicolussi
State Parliament
Liberal powerbroker investigated over light rail lobbying
Liberal powerbroker is under investigation over allegations be has broken NSW lobbying laws.
- by Alexandra Smith
Education
Anti-Ramsay academics seek international support
Academics seek help from overseas colleagues, immigrant community in fight against Ramsay-funded western civilization degree
- by Jordan Baker
Collingwood
Magpies punt on Goldsack, Treloar for Eagles final
Collingwood have been bold at the selection table for their first final in five years, naming Tyson Goldsack and Adam Treloar after long injury lay-offs, as well as defender Jeremy Howe.
- by Scott Spits
Peter Dutton
Peter Dutton and former Border Force chief in all-out war over au pair claims
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was on Thursday night locked in an extraordinary battle of claim and counter-claim with his estranged former border security chief over the au pair controversy after the sacked official gave explosive new evidence to a parliamentary inquiry.
- by David Wroe & David Crowe
West Coast Eagles
West Coast v Collingwood: Clubs roll the dice for first AFL final at Optus Stadium
West Coast and Collingwood are not holding back in their quest to earn a home preliminary final, with both recalling key players from injury for the Perth clash.
- by David Prestipino
GWS Giants
Franklin back for Swans, Giants take punt on Deledio
The Swans named Lance Franklin and Luke Parker while the Giants brought back four stars from injury, including Brett Deledio.
- by Andrew Wu
Canberra United
Karly Roestbakken get chance to replicate best goal of her career
The Canberra United striker will face W-League champions Melbourne City in round one.
- by Eamonn Tiernan
Sea Eagles
Kangaroos dream over with Tom Trbojevic set to have surgery on cheekbone
The Manly No. 1 will undergo surgery on Friday, all but ending his hopes of playing in Australia's two end-of-season Tests in New Zealand.
- by Christian Nicolussi
West Coast Eagles
Eagle Barrass brought undone by dustpan
You can bet your bottom dollar West Coast defender Tom Barrass will try to avoid the dustpan at all costs during this year's finals series.
- by Justin Chadwick
WNBL
Lynx to have a Shane Heal edge to them
Perth Lynx will boast a feisty edge this season as they prepare to unleash the daughter of Boomers legend Shane Heal on the WNBL stage.
- by Justin Chadwick
Rabbitohs
The Coffee Club meeting that could come back to cruel Seibold
Anthony Seibold flew home to Rockhampton to make sure Cameron Munster inked his first NRL contract - now the same player stands in the Souths coach's finals dream.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Dragons
James Graham slams 'outrage culture' that has crept into NRL
The former Canterbury captain has reached out to good friend Adam Elliott, who he claimed he had been unfairly treated since the embarrassing Mad Monday episode.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Women's Premiership
Bookies banned from advertising with NRL women's teams bet on comp
The four teams in the inaugural women's competition were told not to sign bookmakers as sponsors, but there will be restricted betting on the new league.
- by Adam Pengilly
Federal budget
Middle income Australians face a tax hit over next decade
Six million workers will fork out thousands of dollars extra in tax by the middle of the next decade.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Police
Police car involved in crash was looking for driver on mobile phone
A highway patrol car was searching for a driver reportedly using a mobile phone before it crashed, critically injuring a woman in Cronulla.
- by Jenny Noyes
US Open
Millman to splash out on family holiday
John Millman plans on splashing out on his family after collecting the biggest pay cheque of his career for his fairytale run to the US Open quarter-finals.
- by Darren Walton
Updated
Wallabies
Rory Arnold's Wallabies exile ends after 12-month wait for gold jersey
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has decided on a major shake-up of his team, opening the door for the ACT Brumbies big man to return to Test rugby.
- by Chris Dutton
Same-sex marriage
India's top court legalises gay sex in landmark ruling
A five-judge bench in the country's Supreme Court was unanimous in overturning the ban.
- by Alasdair Pal
Australia rugby
Pocock no certainty to face Springboks but Folau '100 per cent'
David Pocock has been named to take on the Springboks this Saturday but a problematic neck might still keep him out of a hugely important fixture.
- by Tom Decent
Education
'I don't want people with ATARs of 35 going into teaching': Labor's schools plan
Raising the ATAR required for teaching degrees and rethinking the NAPLAN tests will be areas of focus for Labor if it is elected at the next federal election.
- by Pallavi Singhal
ASX records worst session since March
The Australian sharemarket has recorded its worst session since March, hitting a two-month low as it fell for a sixth straight session.
- by William McInnes
Raiders
Huawei could extend Canberra Raiders sponsorship despite 5G ban
Telecommunications giant Huawei will consider extending their major sponsorship of the Canberra Raiders despite being banned from the 5G network rollout.
- by David Polkinghorne
Home loans
'Difficult decision': CBA, ANZ Bank raise mortgage rates
Commonwealth Bank chief Matt Comyn concedes that customers might be cynical about the latest spate of interest rate hikes from three of the four major banks.
- by Clancy Yeates
Courts
Terrorist's cousin to plead guilty to having gun in his underpants
When police pulled over a car in Vaucluse, they allegedly found a loaded gun in the passenger's underpants and 2,200 Xanax pills
- by Sally Rawsthorne
Bloodlines: New look for Inglis Classic Sale
Inglis has beefed up its Classic Yearling Sale for 2019, with big numbers of yearlings and the Millennium race day.
- by John Holloway
Banking royal commission
'Eroding consumer trust': ASIC takes NAB to court over fees for no service
NAB is accused of misleading customers and breaching a suite of financial services laws, in a new lawsuit from the corporate watchdog.
- by Clancy Yeates & Mathew Dunckley
Melbourne
Sam Weideman set to continue a rich family history of finals
Sam Weideman will become the third generation in his family to play finals when he steps out for Melbourne against Geelong on Friday.
- by Anthony Colangelo
Sydney Swans
High-flying Swan Heeney a favourite with the kids
Nobody competes with Lance Franklin for profile but Isaac Heeney is rising up the charts with a bullet.
- by Andrew Wu
Geelong Cats
Tom Stewart still has a point to prove
Geelong defender is universally respected for his efforts in his first two seasons since making his debut as a 24-year-old, but he still has a point to prove
- by Peter Ryan
Japan
Blackouts, landslides and death: Earthquake follows typhoon in Japan
The quake came on the heels of a typhoon that wreaked havoc in western Japan, leaving the main airport near Osaka and Kobe closed.
- by Mari Yamaguchi
Courts
Spiritual healer accuses barrister of trying to paint him as 'madman'
Sydney tennis coach turned spiritual healer Serge Benhayon has denied touching a client without her consent.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Spring Racing
Boss still has doubters but Price believes he can eventually deliver
Mighty Boss' Guineas win was written off by many as a fluke. But his trainer has retained the faith and believes he just needs to get out over a trip.
- by Michael Lynch
Copper
Electric cars set to drive the scramble for copper
The copper price may have been battered by trade tensions but a flurry of deals this week is a pointer to a scramble ahead.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Soft commodities
Graincorp ups guidance on craft beer boom
Graincorp has lifted its full-year profit guidance despite the crippling eastern Australia drought.
- by Stuart Condie
Berry plotting upset stakes wins for old boss
Jockey Tommy Berry is getting back into the swing of things in Sydney after a stint in Hong Kong.
- by Chris Roots
Carlton
Kade Simpson to play on for Carlton in 2019
Carlton favourite Kade Simpson will play on into a 17th AFL season after inking a new deal for 2019.
- by Ben McKay
Commercial real estate
Blackstone lands best and final bid for $3.6b Investa Office
US private equity giant Blackstone has upped the ante in the battle for control of the listed $3.6 billion Investa Office Fund
- by Carolyn Cummins
Immigration
Lawyer who spoke out about au pair saga loses government contract the day after TV interview airs
"They're just trying to silence people or punish people that might say something to the media. I think that’s wrong."
- by Michael Koziol
Healthcare
Restructure costs halve Sigma profit
Sigma Healthcare shares have slumped after the pharmaceuticals supplier revealed a slump of more than 50 per cent in first-half profit to $13.4 million.
- by Alex Druce
Near-side blinker a Formality for Sydney return
Formality is ready to bring her spring best in the Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
- by Chris Roots
Roads
State acquisition powers boosted after Desane decision overturned
The Court of Appeal decision will allow the state government to press ahead with compulsorily buying property for major infrastructure projects.
- by Matt O'Sullivan
GDP
Had it been Lehman Sisters, world would be different, IMF chief says
Internationa Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde says had a woman been in charge of Lehman Brothers, the whole global financial crisis may have been averted.
- by Nassim Khadem
W-League
FFA hails new W-League season as a game-changer
Wage increases and a much improved broadcast deal has FFA claiming this season will be like no other.
- by Michael Lynch
State Parliament
James faced a long wait for surgery in Wagga but a byelection changed that
The Health Minister says a looming byelection had nothing to do with his decision to provide direct assistance to a patient in Wagga Wagga.
- by Esther Han
Updated
Bulldogs
Bulldogs players charged by police with wilful and obscene exposure
Police have charged two players over the club's Mad Monday celebrations on a day in which $320,000 of fines were meted out over their gathering at The Rocks.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Paris Agreement
Pacific leaders leave no doubt on differences with Australia over climate pledges
Australia has been outed by one neighbour as having pushed to water down language on emissions pledges.
- by David Wroe
Waller looking to come up Rosy with three-year-old quartet
Chris Waller has all bases covered in the lead-up to the Golden Rose and looks for a three-year-old double at Rosehill on Saturday.
- by Chris Roots
Extreme weather
'Unprecedented dryness' points to busy fire season in Australia's east
Record heat and well below average rainfall has primed forested areas of eastern Australia for an early and busier than usual bushfire season, according to fire authorities and researchers.
- by Peter Hannam
Laurie Macri steps down as ATC chairman
Laurie Macri to step down as Australian Turf Club chairman.
- by Chris Roots
Updated
US Open
John Millman loses to Novak Djokovic in US Open quarter-finals
John Millman has gone down to Novak Djokovic in straight sets in their US Open quarter final.
AFL competition committee to look at 6-6-6 next week
The AFL competition committee meeting will meet next Thursday to develop recommendations on potential rule changes to be put to the AFL Commission.
- by Peter Ryan
UK
Planes, trains and perfume: how CCTV tracked Novichok to the Skripal's door
Britain is one of the most heavily surveilled nations on Earth. And then there are the 'super recognisers'. This is how they found their men.
- by Ellen Barry
Markets Live
Markets Live: ASX falls further despite rate hikes
The Australian sharemarket has dropped further through the afternoon despite Commonwealth Bank and ANZ shares lifting after they hiked their variable interest rates.
- by William McInnes
Wallabies
Cheika makes bold Wallabies call by dropping Foley for Springboks Test
In the biggest selection shake-up since the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Michael Cheika has dropped Bernard Foley to the bench, replaced by Kurtley Beale.
- by Tom Decent
Martin's first Exceed And Excel colt has Golden Rose ability
Trainer Tim Martin believes his son of a gun Danawi can measure up for the Golden Rose.
- by Chris Roots
Collingwood
Started at the floor, now there's no ceiling for Mihocek
Brodie Mihocek took 25 years to start on the ground floor, now he has become important to Collingwood.
- by Michael Gleeson
Venezuela
Diplomats urge Venezuela to accept international aid
At a meeting of the Organisation of American States, member nations described the exodus of Venezuelans as a migrant crisis "without precedent".
Cryptocurrencies
Coffee and a Bitcoin: Start-up's plan to turn change into cryptocurrency
The Perth-based founder of cryptocurrency micro-investment app Bamboo wants to democratise finance.
- by Hamish Hastie
Electricity
Suspected cable fault causes power outage in eastern suburbs
Ausgrid says 1500 customers are without power following the incident on Thursday afternoon.
- by Rachel Clun
Storm
Bellamy backs Vunivalu to handle Rabbitohs' speed after injury
Craig Bellamy says he expects Suliasi Vunivalu's recently injured hamstring to stand up to the rigours of the NRL finals.
- by Roy Ward
England rugby
Jones won't shut England door on Cipriani
Eddie Jones has refused to close the door on Danny Cipriani's England career after the fly-half found himself in trouble off the pitch once again.
- by Damian Spellman
US Open
Millman attempts to make history against Djokovic
Follow our live coverage as underdog Aussie John Millman attempts to take down Novak Djokovic.
- by Matt Bungard
Energy
Shell-backed startup creates fuel from carbon dioxide and fake sunlight
A startup company backed by energy giant Shell has developed a method to turn carbon dioxide into fuel by adding fake sunlight.
- by Cole Latimer
Donald Trump
Who wrote the anonymous New York Times op-ed on Trump?
It was a metaphoric Molotov, a middle finger, a knife in the back. Naturally, it emerged from the "Deep Throat" ether just after 4pm.
- by Taylor Telford
Finance
Ice-cream maker for Dairy Bell, Bottega del Gelato brands collapses
The frozen goods manufacturer has entered voluntary administration owing more than $1 million.
- by Emma Koehn
SMH Live: Beyond the Back Page
It’s been a year of highs and lows in an exciting – and sometimes controversial – sporting calendar, which shows no signs of slowing down for some of our biggest codes.
Isabel Hudson
France school mobile phone ban takes effect
French children are saying "bonjour" to the new academic year -- and "au revoir" to their mobile phones during school hours.
Here are our top three AFL matches of 2018. Tell us what you think
There was plenty of debate about "the look of the game" this season, but there were still some unforgettable contests.
- by Anthony Colangelo
Courts
Devout US woman jailed for smuggling cocaine in her high heels
Denise Woodrum claimed to have been fooled by a man she met online named "Hendrik Cornelius" into taking the journey.
- by Angus Thompson
Geelong Cats
David v Goliath: Can a fourth-gamer stop Max Gawn in ruck battle?
Ryan Abbott holds the hopes of Geelong in just his fourth game when he takes on All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn in the elimination final.
- by Peter Ryan
Finance
Biggest change since GST: Electronic payroll system sparks concerns
Businesses are scrambling to digitise their wage systems as the Tax Office rolls out Single Touch Payroll.
- by Cara Waters
Israel
Paraguay changed its mind on Jerusalem. Israel reacted swiftly
Most countries do not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the entire city and say its final status should be set in peace talks.
- by Ali Sawafta & Daniela Desantis
Melbourne
Viney confident foot issues are a thing of the past
Melbourne star Jack Viney believes his foot troubles are behind him as he prepares for the most important game of his career on Friday night.
- by Ronny Lerner
Updated
Russia
Russian intelligence officers charged over Novichok poisoning in Britain
A fake designer perfume bottle was used to smuggle the poison into Britain, police said.
- by Latika Bourke
Peter Dutton
Help for a 'mate': Roman Quaedvlieg reveals explosive evidence in Peter Dutton au pair scandal
The former head of the Australian Border Force has told the Senate of a phone call from the office of Home Affairs Minister.
- by David Crowe
Rugby League World Cup
Rugby league bosses probe 2025 World Cup
International rugby league chiefs are concerned about the future of the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, slated to be held in the United States and Canada.
- by Daniel Gilhooly
USA
White House insider tells of undermining Trump for 'duty to country'
New York Times takes extraordinary step of publishing account of senior administration official working to stop Trump from acting on his 'worst inclinations' .
- by Matthew Knott
Hawthorn
Craig Bellamy sends cross-code Alastair Clarkson warning to Tigers
Craig Bellamy is a confidant of Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson and backed the master coach to bring out something to shock the Tigers in Thursday night's final.
- by Roy Ward
Innovation
'We are now out of time': once a $US9b company, the fall of Theranos is now complete
It was founded by a 19yo Stanford dropout lauded as the "next Steve Jobs" but the fall of Theranos has been steep, and is now complete.
Fremantle
Dockers call on Peter Bell after senior staff shock departures
Fremantle playing great Peter Bell is poised for a stunning appointment as Dockers football manager.
- by Kim Hagdorn
St Kilda
Nick Riewoldt backs Alan Richardson, slams 'hatchet man' speculation
St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt has backed embattled coach Alan Richardson and says he will not join the club's board for now.
Beckham's MLS franchise to be known as 'Inter Miami'
David Beckham's Major League Soccer team (MLS) will be called Club Internacional de Futbol Miami, or Inter Miami, it was announced today.
Health insurance
Millennials are getting sick of paying for baby boomers' health
Millennials have found another reason to resent cashed-up baby boomers: they're subsidising their health care.
- by Hans Lee
Fremantle
Docker Cerra signs two-year deal in much needed boost for the club
Dockers midfielder Adam Cerra has signed a two-year contract extension with Fremantle in a much needed boost of good news for the club.
- by staff writers
Crime
Aged-care worker charged over alleged assaults on elderly patient
The 82-year-old man was allegedly assaulted on a number of occasions the Bupa Aged Care Facility in Seaforth.
- by Rachel Clun