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Minister resigns from cabinet amid sexual violence claims
Families Minister Gareth Ward moved to the crossbench after news of the police investigation broke. He has denied any wrongdoing.
‘Shocked, distressed’ Premier says Ward has denied any wrongdoing
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says all of Parliament is “shocked and distressed” amid revelations state minister Gareth Ward is the subject of a police investigation into alleged sexual violence-related offences.
Breaking
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel begins attack on Gaza as IDF deployed
The Israeli military said in a statement shortly after midnight local time that air and ground forces were attacking the Hamas-run enclave, as hostilities entered their fifth day.
Dark web drug dealer was ‘confident’ he would stay anonymous before arrest
A 27-year-old drug dealer due to be sentenced in the NSW District Court is expecting to stay in jail for a “large chunk” of his life.
Horse breeder tells court he and teen backpacker were ‘in love’
A German backpacker who turned 19 while she was on Gregory Douglas’ horse stud was in a consensual relationship with him, the 68-year-old told a Sydney court.
Exclusive
NAPLAN
Calls for NAPLAN to be replaced with national bank of class tests
Teachers could dip into the Assessment Resource System whenever they wanted to give their students quick, relevant assessments, the Gonski Institute said.
Albanese pledges $10 billion to tackle soaring cost of housing
Labor has promised a $10 billion fund to cut housing costs for workers in a response to the federal budget that seeks to galvanise voter concerns about soaring house prices and rents.
Analysis
ALP
Labor has played it safe when big ideas are needed
The shortage of big policies in Anthony Albanese’s budget reply could mean he is keeping his powder dry, or perhaps he doesn’t have enough gunpowder.
Australia could finish vaccination program by end of year: experts
Australia has moved to snap up 25 million doses of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine in a bid to avoid further supply delays.
The challenge of vaccinating 3500 remote Australians across 75,000 square kms
Viewing COVID-19 as city folks’ problem, and very rare complications arising from the AstraZeneca vaccine, are hindering efforts to immunise indigenous communities.
Australian IPL stars could return this weekend to quarantine in Sydney
A deal is close to being finalised which would allow the cricketers to quarantine in Sydney, with Indian cricket authorities to foot the bill.
Analysis
Talk shows
Ellen DeGeneres is ending her talk show, but was she really cancelled?
Social media was quick to proclaim the Emmy-winning chat show host had been #cancelled. The truth is far more complicated.
Thanks to Will Smith, the cult of the dad bod continues
Dad bod idolatry isn’t new, but when the Men In Black star said he was “in the worst shape of my life”, it sparked a moment.
Opinion
NRL 2021
The NRL expansion bid drawing inspiration from the LA Lakers
The NRL’s expansion battle is heating up. The Brisbane Firehawks, led by former Souths boss Shane Richardson, are trying to be something league has never seen before.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Sydney
Inner west sporting clubs jostle for slice of new WestConnex park
Submissions on concept plans for the park show sporting clubs are pushing for synthetic grass, multi-purpose courts, spectator seating, an athletics track and an indoor sports centre, to complement two sporting fields in the design.
Man allegedly hit in the face with an axe at Sydney pub
A man is in hospital after allegedly being struck with an axe when he refused to hand over his poker machine payout ticket at a Parramatta pub.
Graphic content
Courts
‘Savage attack’: Man jailed for 30 years for murder, mutilation
Goran Stevanovic was stabbed in the back with no warning and pursued when he tried to flee. His killer then cut up his body.
‘Water thieves’ face multimillion-dollar fine for allegedly taking 1200 megalitres
A NSW company faces the prospect of a multimillion-dollar penalty for water theft, in the largest prosecution issued by the national resources watchdog.
NSW government announces $50 million package to tackle mouse plague
NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall says an emergency application has been lodged for “the strongest mouse poison in the world”.
Politics
Reynolds ready to help police on handling of Higgins rape claims
Senator Linda Reynolds has given a statement to police about the alleged rape of her former staffer in her office.
Business
Exclusive
Macquarie Telecom
‘Problematic’: Macquarie’s green push questioned due to fracking investments
Macquarie Group’s climate commitments have been questioned amid revelations the banking giant controls investments in dozens of fracking companies.
World
Colonial Pipeline paid hackers nearly $6.5 million in ransom
The company paid the hefty ransom in untraceable cryptocurrency within hours of the cyber attack, which shut down the United States’ largest fuel pipeline.
Opinion
Budget’s avalanche of money hides a vacuum
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
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Property bydomain
The Byron Bay real estate boom hits a surprising new extreme
Just when you thought the Byron Bay market couldn't get crazier, a barely dressed, slightly intoxicated agent sells a trophy home sight unseen for $12.5 million.
From 'white hot to red hot': Why auction results are a little less wild
'Wounded underbidders', otherwise known as those who have lost out at auctions repeatedly, have finally become buyers, and desperation has slightly eased.
Life & Culture
The role exercise plays in increasing our sense of purpose
A new study underscores how braided the relationship between physical activity and psychological wellbeing can be, and how the effects often run both ways.
Sport
Opinion
NRL 2021
The Brisbane NRL expansion bid drawing inspiration from the LA Lakers
The NRL’s expansion battle is heating up. The Brisbane Firehawks, led by former Souths boss Shane Richardson, are trying to be something league has never seen before.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Australian IPL stars could return this weekend to quarantine in Sydney
A deal is close to being finalised which would allow the cricketers to quarantine in Sydney rather than the Howard Springs facility, with Indian cricket authorities to foot the bill.
More fan protests at Old Trafford before long-awaited Liverpool win
Liverpool beat arch-rivals Manchester United 4-2 to give their Champions League hopes a huge boost after unrest at United’s home ground continued.
Barty progresses in Rome, French Open stars to get one hour per day of freedom
Ashleigh Barty is through to the Italian Open final eight - and a first-time clash against Cori Gauff - as the countdown towards her push for a second Roland Garros title continues.
Sydney A-League teams unveil $60m plans for centres of excellence
Sydney FC will establish a $20m home base at Macquarie University, while Macarthur are set to reap the benefits of a $38m centre in Sydney’s south west.
Dale Hopgood died after a game of footy. On Sunday, his son makes his NRL debut
J’maine Hopgood’s father died of a heart attack following a game of rugby league. The young Panther hopes to honour his memory in his debut on Sunday.
Updated
NRL 2021
‘One of the toughest decisions I’ve made’: Why Reynolds joined Broncos
In his first interview since news of his signing for the Broncos, Adam Reynolds explains why he decided to join Brisbane over staying with his beloved South Sydney.
Have Your Say
Paine might be backing Smith to regain the captaincy, but will the CA board?
The rousing applause that followed Tim Paine’s support for Steve Smith will not have gone unnoticed by Cricket Australia. Three directors were there, including the chairman.
