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‘Someone has to know’: Mum of missing Cleo Smith pleads for information
Carnarvon mum Ellie Smith has opened up on her family’s horrific nightmare waiting for news about her missing four-year-old daughter.
Updated
Courts
Police officer on trial over fatal shooting of Geraldton woman says he feared for his life
The WA Police officer who shot an Aboriginal woman armed with a knife and scissors says he thought she was going to stab him or another officer.
AstraZeneca’s days are done in WA, Dawson says
Vaccine commander Chris Dawson has told a budget estimates inquiry AstraZeneca was barely being administered in Western Australia.
McGowan won’t relax WA borders this year
A Christmas reunion for families with relatives over east has been all but ruled out by WA Premier Mark McGowan, who will only consider reopening when the state hits a vaccination rate of 80 per cent.
Analysis
Science
Is media coverage of COVID-19 too negative?
Is it possible the news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic has been too negative? Some curious research should at least make us consider the question.
Microsoft leaders warned Bill Gates over ‘inappropriate’ emails
Microsoft executives warned Bill Gates in 2008 about inappropriate emails he had sent to a female employee, a Microsoft spokesman confirmed.
Exclusive
University of Western Australia
UWA leak reveals targets on academics, directions to leverage positions
In a move reminiscent of the Panama Papers drop, about 409 pages of confidential documents produced by UWA’s executive have been publicly disseminated.
Fake families and neighbourhood spies: Inside China’s 24-hour repression of Uighurs
In the campaign to remake Xinjiang into a region of ‘perfect stability’, household managers are trained in intelligence and ideological instability is punished with re-education.
The final interview: Colin Powell reflects on Trump, Bush and ‘little jerk’ Kim Jong-Un
Colin Powell’s wife Alma never liked him talking to Bob Woodward – but in July, the ex-general spoke to the legendary journalist about his life and battles.
Berejiklian wanted grant request for Maguire’s electorate accelerated, inquiry told
Gladys Berejiklian wanted a multimillion-dollar grant request for her then-boyfriend’s electorate accelerated and planned to back the proposal before it went to the expenditure committee, a corruption inquiry has heard.
PM assures net zero an economic positive as Nats debate coal price
Scott Morrison is trying to end a damaging policy split that could last into next week as key Nationals insist on more time to put forward their demands for regional jobs.
Fossil fuels face grim future if China, Japan meet climate plans
The future of regional-based fossil fuel exports is grim according to the RBA, creating headaches for the Nationals.
Squid Game star thinks show’s critics should watch it again
The worldwide Squid Game mania has had little effect on the show’s star, Lee Jung-jae, who said he has been enjoying it all but that “nothing much” is really different in his life.
Queen told to ditch her martini habit. But is it really that bad?
The monarch has reportedly been advised to abstain from her daily tipple, so she is in good nick for her Platinum Jubilee next June.
Meet Tsehay Hawkins, the teenager who’s the new Yellow Wiggle
The Sydney high school student takes up the yellow skivvy after Emma Watkins’ surprise departure.
Western Australia
WA allows Kimberley fracking export to unlock ‘supergiant’ gas basin
Deputy Premier Roger Cook talks of a “green energy vision” for WA while his department tries to unlock the Kimberley for more gas exploration by allowing gas to be exported.
Supreme Court judge bows out of WA’s ‘clash of the dynasties’
Justice Jennifer Smith will take on a decades-long multibillion-dollar mining dispute between two of WA’s wealthiest families.
Updated
Missing person
Ground search for Cleo Smith resumes after bad weather delay
“We can’t rule out the fact that Cleo may be still in the area, we can’t rule out the fact she’s left the area and if she’s left the area that is probably is our worse case scenario,” Inspector Jon Munday said.
Close-knit community reels as search widens for missing girl
Carnarvon is in shock after four-year-old Cleo Smith disappeared in the middle of the night while camping at Quobba Blowholes, a popular camping spot 75 kilometres north of town.
Updated
Mining
BHP reports drop in iron ore shipments from Australia
BHP warns major maintenance works, a labour shortage and COVID-19 border restrictions are slowing output of the nation’s most valuable export.
Politics
‘QR codes for drug dealers’: Calls to improve COVID-19 response
Drug and alcohol experts are calling for a harm minimisation approach to users at risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.
Business
Stockland town centres cop hefty COVID hit
A quarter of retail tenants in the $11b property developer’s town centres are struggling to pay their rent as state lockdowns extract a heavy toll.
World
Diver discovers ancient crusader sword off Israeli coast
Encrusted in shells, the metre-long weapon lay hidden for 900 years near the old city of Haifa until it was revealed by shifting sandbanks.
Opinion
Explore
Property bydomain
Horse stables, BMX tracks and tennis courts: What you get for $31m
They're the type of homes that mere mortals can only dream of owning. Check out the properties owned by a lucky few.
The suburbs where rents are still lower than five years ago
Rents have reached record heights in many of our biggest cities, but there are still suburbs where they have fallen since 2016.
Lifestyle
Of course Kourtney Kardashian is on trend with her engagement ring
Oval-cut diamonds, more carats and shorter engagements are on the rise.
Culture
Celebrities, what are they good for? Reality shows, for starters
There’s new batch of celebrity-themed reality shows on air at the moment, and for viewers it’s a chance to see famous people venture out of their comfort zones.
Sport
Updated
Australian Open
‘I will not reveal my status’: doubts grow over Djokovic’s Australian Open plans
The likelihood of nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic missing January’s tournament has increased after the world No.1 again refused to reveal his vaccination status.
Updated
Concussion crisis
Coroner rejects call for ‘sins of the past’ to be examined in Tuck inquest
Shane Tuck’s widow has threatened to withdraw her participation in a proposed coronial inquest into the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death.
WBBL pair fined for misbehaviour as CA signals stricter stance
Cricket Australia insist there is no crackdown on player misbehaviour, but at the very least there appears to be a more stringent application of the code of conduct.
Cooper warns of rising Japanese power after 2019 World Cup heroics
It’s been two years since Japan beat Scotland and Ireland at their home World Cup, and the star playmaker has warned the Brave Blossoms have only improved in that time.
Cultural barriers in club cricket impeding players of South Asian descent: Sthalekar
Former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar explains the cultural differences which may be holding young South Asian players back.
Updated
AFL 2021
Simpkin extends deal with Kangas, Demons snare Magpies’ staffer as footy boss
North Melbourne’s 2021 best and fairest Jy Simpkin has signed on for another three seasons.
Analysis
Richmond
From rescuing Tigers to RMIT Chancellor, who is Peggy O’Neal?
The first woman to be president of an AFL club can see strong parallels between her new role as RMIT Chancellor and Richmond.
Have Your Say
TV reality: The uneasy relationship between the NRL and Nine as broadcast deal looms
There’s still a long way to go before a deal is struck for free-to-air rights.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
