PerthNow | Breaking News from Perth and Western Australia

A report from the Housing Industry Forecasting Group highlights a four- year decline in new home construction.

Housing slumpNew home approvals a sign of decline

The number of new homes being built has fallen to its lowest level since records started more than three decades ago.

Construction on the project will start in 2019, with first production in late 2021.

New project$3.5b Pilbara mine to create 600 jobs

More than 2000 people will work on the construction of Rio Tinto’s new mine, with 600 permanent roles once it is operational.

Mauled to deathMum and baby killed by grizzly bear

A teacher and her 10-month-old baby have been killed by a bear. Her partner was forced to shoot the animal dead when it charged at him.

The daily service, understood to be operated by Boeing 787-9s is expected to bring an additional 70,000 Japanese visitors to WA every year.

Taking offTokyo flights to deliver tourism boost

The State Government has secured a deal with a major Japanese airline for direct flights between Perth and Tokyo.

The wrong Peter Brown was taken to court for sentencing in relation to a violent murder.

Mix upWrong man in court for murder sentence

Corrections staff have presented the wrong man to the Victorian Supreme Court to be sentenced for murder, and it’s not the first time they have made the same mistake.

Manchester United fans Josh Vernon and Abbey Darwell at Optus stadium.

Big demandOverseas fans snap up Man Utd tickets

Soccer fans from more than 20 countries have bought ticket packages for next year’s two Perth matches involving glamour team Manchester United.

The reviewers have tucked into more than 300 sausage sizzles between them in the past year and a half.

WA criticsRating Bunnings’ best sausage sizzles

They eat the same meal every weekend and travel for several hours for the privilege. Welcome to the world of a professional Bunnings sausage sizzle reviewer.

The South West housing market is outperforming the rest of the State.

Bargain huntersSouth West house prices head north

The South West and Great Southern housing market is outperforming Perth and the rest of the State as homebuyers look for value around Margaret River and Albany.

Preliminary findingsTruth about horror Lion Air crash

The Lion Air crash in Indonesia killed all 189 people on board, despite the heroics of the captain. But now the real truth has been revealed.

25 years onShock new OJ killing claim

The acquittal of OJ Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend shocked the world. Now a stunning new claim has emerged.

Scarborough’s El Grotto features in STM’s top 50 Perth bars.

Bar scenePerth’s best all-round bars

Perth’s bar scene is growing and evolving at a rapid rate. STM’s bar fly Max Veenhuyzen lists the some of the best all-rounders to hit up for your next bevvy.

Breaking News

7:57AMWrong man in court for murder sentence
7:37AMLabor rips into review of VET training
5:39AMKidnapped US teenager found dead
12:26AMRelatives claim to have found MH370 debris
9:06PMYarra River among deadliest Aust waterways
9:02PMDrop in Hobart's affordable rentals: study
5:14PMWhales dead on Vic beach lead to warning

Royal riftWhy Harry, William ‘fell out’ over Meghan

As Prince Charles steps in to settle rising tensions between William and Harry, another royal rift is bubbling over after it emerged Eugenie is “upset” with Meghan.

Myalup cattle farmer Geoff Pearson with the huge standout Knickers who stands high above his flockmates.

Big cowBeefed-up bovine goes viral - no bull

The sizeable steer. Bovine behemoth. A fantastic friesian. Anyway you put it, people the world over have been udderly captivated by big Knickers.

Star styleARIAs fashion goes next level

The ARIA gongs have been dished out, but there’s still plenty of time for the internet to weigh in on the celebs’ fashion choices. Here are the best images from music’s big night.

WA News

Maritime Union of Australia national president Christy Cain.

BacklashUnion anger over fracking in north

Premier Mark McGowan is facing blowback from militant unions over his decision to allow limited gas fracking in WA’s north.

Scott Morrison wants to shake up VET training.

VET shake-upReview of training for future jobs

Scott Morrison will launch a pre-election review of the problem-plagued vocational education and training sector to ensure its graduates are leaving with the skills they need to get a job.

ApplecrossAgeing jacarandas face the chop

Jacaranda season has become a firm favourite for Instagrammers but in at least one Perth suburb the trees are dying and hundreds will have to be cut down.

Perth has been named as one of the top 28 destinations to visit next year.

West is bestPerth named a ‘best-kept secret’

Perth might be struggling to attract tourists but that could soon change thanks to its inclusion in a travel list by one of the world’s most iconic nature magazines.

HeartbreakMum’s plea after quad bike death

A family who will spend the rest of their lives without their only son because of a quad bike accident have urged others to hold your children tight, because life is precious and fragile.

Arts & Music

Amy Shark has dominated the 2018 ARIAs.performs during the 32nd Annual ARIA Awards 2018 at The Star on November 28, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Big nightAmy Shark blitzes the ARIAs

An emotionally overwhelmed Amy Shark capped a monster year with her shark attack on the 2018 ARIA Awards during a night of tears, laughter and a few surprise appearances.

STM

Raising the barWhat does WA’s drinking landscape look like in 2018?

Define bar. Or more accurately, redefine bar. Thanks to the internet’s ability to fast-track trends, Perth has reassessed the possibilities of where one might get a drink.

Most Watched Videos

YouTuber Gursk3 decided to try hang gliding in Switzerland, but the excursion didn’t go exactly as planned, realising his harness wasn't properly connected when it was too late.

Man hangs on for life during hang glider mishap

A new farm-to-plate dining experience has opened at Yagan Square, and it's a collaboration between the people behind Bunbury Farmers Market and Cantina 663.

Focus on fresh and local produce for Ficus

The burger, made completely of plant products is made to look at taste like meat, it even 'bleeds. It has a flavour close to meat, according to food reviewer Fleur Bainger.

Perth burger bar serves fake meat

Meghan and Erin Murphy haven’t seen their Dad in 16 years. He’s dying and they’re desperate to see him before he’s gone. But a rare condition they both suffer from is stopping them.

Perth sisters desperate to say goodbye to their Dad on the other side of the world

Opinion

Dr Marny LishmanWhy we all need a role model

Most of us know that children and teenagers need role models but what about adults? You’re never too old to find one, and the luxury of being a older is that we can purposefully choose who we want.

Peter van OnselenRethink negative-gearing scare pitch

While negative-gearing benefits are undoubtedly too generous at the moment, winding them back scares investors, writes Peter van Onselen

Gareth ParkerWhy this pub defines Perth

Times are changing and pubs in Perth’s inner city suburbs are finding it hard to keep up with a changing bar culture.

Joe SpagnoloBarnett scoring historic goals

COLIN Barnett has never looked more relaxed. Gone are the suits, gone are the long parliamentary sittings — gone is the premiership.

Heidi AndersonThe brutal reality of domestic violence

At least 60 women have been killed in Australia this year by a current or former partner. By the time you read this article, another death will have happened. Why is this not a national emergency?

Sport

Matthew Pavlich with new docker Luke Valente.

High hopesPavlich expects finals for Freo

Club legend Matthew Pavlich has set the bar high for a new-look Fremantle outfit, declaring they should play finals in 2019 after three years in the wilderness.

West Coast rookie selection Josh Smith goes through some stretching in the lead-up to a training session on Tuesday.

New startMagpies de-listing surprised Smith

A defiant Josh Smith says he would not have taken the draft lifeline offered by West Coast if he didn’t believe he could still have an impact at the elite level.

Back flyingNo fitness worries for Ryan, says manager

Liam Ryan’s manager says there are no concerns over the fitness of the West Coast premiership player.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Shaun Marsh of Western Australia plays a pool shot during the JLT Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Tasmania at the WACA on October 26, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)

Run machineShaun Marsh’s purple patch continues

Shaun Marsh tuned up for the first Test with a hard-fought and patient half-century that rescued Western Australia from trouble against NSW at Optus Stadium.

Cult hero?Eagles draftee’s eventful month

New recruit Bailey Williams, who is rocking the Karl Langdon peroxide look and missed his flight to Perth this week, has all the makings of a fan favourite.

Nick Kay has been in blistering form for the Wildcats this season.

MVP contenderKay can’t fly under radar any more

It’s time to re-assess calls for Perth Wildcats recruit Nick Kay to win the NBL’s Most Improved Player award. Why? Because it’s time for Kay to be considered as a genuine MVP contender.

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Entertainment

Missy Higgins got excited when she was presented the ARIA Album of the Year by David Hasselhoff.

Crazy nightsHall of Shame: Worst moments of the ARIAs

From wardrobe malfunctions to rambling speeches, the ARIAs have given viewers plenty to talk about. Ahead of tonight’s ceremony, we look back on the best — and worst — moments.

Aussie band Air Supply have sold more than 20 million albums.

Classic rockSoft-rock kings Air Supply to tour Oz

They’ve sold more than 20 million albums and are one of the most popular touring acts on the global circuit. Air Supply will return home for a national tour in 2019.

Band dramasCanadian band’s brutal breakup

A member of Canadian doom metal band WITCHROT has announced their breakup in the most brutal way. Really, ouch.

Business

Spending spree'Buy now, pay later' debt nears $1b

The spending habits of younger consumers are increasingly being shaped by companies such as Afterpay and zipPay, according to the corporate watchdog.

Car crisisTrump furious over GM shutdowns

President Trump has blasted General Motors’ plans to lay off 14,700 factory and white-collar workers in North America - saying they should abandon their China operations instead.

WA businessman Stan Perron at his East Perth office.

Vale StanWA businessman Stan Perron dies

Self-made WA billionaire and philanthropist Stan Perron has died at the age of 96.

Science & Technology

The spacecraft separating from its engine above the Earth’s atmosphere

WATCHDinner and a show: rocket launch filmed from space

The spectacular event was captured by one of only three people in space, who was in the right place at the right time. The rocket was supplying food and air to the International Space station.

Impact studyHow an asteroid destroyed Sodom

Was this the end of Sodom? A superheated asteroid exploded in the sky above the Dead Sea 3700 years ago, obliterating the cities below.

Lifestyle

STM’s top 50These are the best bars out of town

Heading down south for the holidays? These regional gems — including an Albany landmark named STM’s bar of the year — are well worth the drive.

This is the 'fake meat' burger that Jus Burgers says is perfect for meat eaters.

Not realPerth now has ‘fake’ meat burgers

It’s a burger patty that looks, feels and tastes like meat, and when squeezed hard enough, it even appears to bleed. But there’s one key difference: it’s made entirely of edible plant matter.

EpidemicRadical ideas to combat loneliness

Would a discount on food encourage you to lunch with strangers? What about sending your children to a kindergarten that shared a property with a nursing home?

Personal Finance

Investing tipsBank shares on shaky pillars

Buying shares in Australia’s Big Four has been an investment winner for decades. But David and Libby Koch warn that their days of extraordinary performance might be over.

Money madeHow I saved $8000 in eight months

Elena Stavrou wanted to go on an amazing European holiday. But like many young Aussies, it was just a dream — until she took simple steps to make it happen.