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Crime
Crime family associate charged over firebombing of FriendlyJordies’ house in Bondi
An associate of the Alameddine crime family has been charged over last year’s firebombing of the Bondi house of political commentator and online satirist Jordan Shanks.
Exclusive
Australian economy
Tough start to 2024 for households, but reprieve is coming
There will be at least another six months of tough economic pain for households as inflation, interest costs and tax batters budgets.
Watchdog findings fail to dent banks’ deposit power
Banking giants are likely to keep their power to influence prices in the $1.4 trillion market despite the ACCC’s attempts to call for change.
The ATAR cut-off for every university course revealed
For Sophie, a 99 ATAR might not quite be enough for her first choice. Read the full list here.
Exclusive
Arts
Opera House to set annual limit for light shows on sails
The policy aims to protect the building’s cultural significance – and avoid controversy.
Renewables cheaper than nuclear, coal now: CSIRO
The nation’s top science agency concludes that fossil fuels and nuclear tech cannot produce electricity as cheaply as wind and solar farms.
The best value suburbs for uni students to live in
How much does it cost to get a rental in a convenient location these days and where can you get a better deal by sharing with friends?
Reynolds’ lawyers ready freezing orders as Higgins, Sharaz move to France
The trio had been due to come face-to-face in WA’s Supreme Court in May in a last-ditch attempt to settle their rows out of court.
Opinion
Religious freedom
We’re facing a debate as divisive as the Voice. Can we keep this one civil?
Next year, Labor will have to make good on its promise to legislate a religious discrimination framework.
Lisa Visentin
Federal Political Reporter
Meet Australian cricket’s overnight millionaire
As Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc reaped eye-boggling sums in the IPL player auction, it was another bowler whose life has been suddenly changed by T20 riches.
ABC radio presenter axed after Israel-Hamas conflict posts
Journalist Antoinette Lattouf was told on Wednesday not to show up the next day to present for ABC Radio Sydney after her posts on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Exclusive
China relations
Australia urged to back Pacific neighbour’s independence
Bougainville’s renewed push for independence comes amid global concerns about China’s encroachment on Pacific nations.
Recipe collection
Best of
Good Food’s 50 most popular recipes of 2023
It was a year of winning chicken dinners, speedy stir-fries and creamy comfort food classics.
★★★★
Review
Emma Stone’s feminist ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ is extraordinary
Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos is so at ease with the language of cinema that he can produce wonders with it.
What’s open in Sydney over Christmas and New Year
Whether you’re planning on attending mass or keen on some last-minute shopping, here’s what’s open over the holiday period.
It’s never too late to lift: Older people can still build muscle mass
A new study shows that older bodies can still increase muscle size, strength and mobility.
How to end an argument (even when you really don’t want to)
In a perfect world, nobody would fight at Christmas. But just in case, experts have some advice.
Sky-high viewing: The films and TV we watched the most on planes in 2023
The Barbie movie can add another feather to its pink cap after claiming the title of this year’s most-watched inflight film.
Sydney
Eight arrested over ‘heinous’ shooting of innocent bystanders
A Sydney crime gang has been pulled apart after allegedly killing an innocent man, and injuring a couple in a nearby car, in a “callous” shooting.
Exclusive
State Parliament
A $3b shortfall: The real pressure a housing surge brings to Sydney
A new report has called for greater funding for services to support already booming suburbs.
Community split as Oxford Street cycleway given green light
NSW has committed to building the cycleway despite community consultation finding opinion is deeply divided over the Coalition-era project.
Third man charged over killing of ex-Lone Wolf bikie
The former bikie was last year ambushed at a car park in Sydney’s inner west, where he was shot multiple times in the head and torso.
What the weather has in store for NSW this Christmas Day
Data from the Bureau of Meteorology shows that this year will be the coolest Christmas since 2020, when the city temperature was 21 degrees.
Politics
![“We think it is important that navigation and freedom of movement be allowed [in the Red Sea],” said Anthony Albanese.](http://web.archive.org./web/20231220192958im_/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.222%2C$multiply_0.6874%2C$ratio_1.7777777777777777%2C$width_1059%2C$x_659%2C$y_102/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/1ed50171f5859af9ed0f2eed1039be29d58d71c6)
Ticket to ride: PM’s flight bills revealed
The first six months of taxpayer-funded travel under the Albanese government were released after criticism about VIP flights taken by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.
Business
Kathmandu, Rip Curl sales tank amid higher temperatures and lower budgets
KMD Brands’ share price has nosedived after revealing Kathmandu and Rip Curl’s sales have declined.
World
Hamas leader visits Cairo as talks over Gaza ceasefire gather pace
Hamas’ top leader has travelled to Cairo for talks on the war in Gaza, part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at securing another ceasefire and swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Opinion
It took a street Christmas party to meet my stranger-neighbours
Jo Stubbings
Writer and reviewer
The global economy already had a big problem. It just got much worse
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
What the Herald’s death notices say about us
David Myton
Freelance writer
Why the ABC canned The Drum (and Ita saved Q+A)
Jenna Price
Columnist and academic
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Property
Chris Hemsworth’s trainer makes fresh bid to sell luxury Byron home
Personal trainer to the stars James Duigan has relisted his glamorous coastal estate that was passed in for $14.8 million earlier this year.
From a flower mogul to a skincare king, the multimillionaires who spent big on property in 2023
Sydney’s trophy home owners have had one of their best performing years ever, clocking up more than 50 sales of $20 million or more.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Help! My boss wants to talk to my doctor
That seems like significant overreach, not to mention the privacy issues that arise, writes Dr Kirstin Ferguson.
Culture
Why the Jonathan Majors conviction just made Disney’s very bad year infinitely worse
As villain Kang the Conquerer, Hollywood star Jonathan Majors was the linchpin of Marvel’s next phase, until his conviction on assault charges this week.
Traveller
Drivedrive
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Sport
From planting trees to sowing seeds of doubt in batters: Meet Australian cricket’s overnight millionaire
As Pat Cummins ($3.67 million) and Mitchell Starc ($4.43 million) reaped eye-boggling sums in the IPL player auction, it was another express-paced bowler whose life has been suddenly changed by T20 riches.
Christmas comes early: Why a rare India Test tour has Australia’s spinners licking their lips
Alyssa Healy’s team are the first Australian team to tour over Christmas since 1969, and the chance to play red-ball cricket on a spinning Mumbai pitch has Australia’s bowlers feeling festive.
Cummins’ perfect day: Beach, home-cooked meal, a whisky … and a $3.67m deal
For all of Pat Cummins’ achievements, including an eye-catching new IPL deal worth $3.67 million, it’s the rare days at home that he cherishes the most.
‘I’m no different from the girl next to me on the tram’: The private world of Mary Fowler
The Matildas megastar is one of Australia’s most recognised athletes and airport paparazzi fodder, yet she’s still barely 20 and happiest when side-stepping the spotlight.
Luongo makes shock Socceroos retirement call to focus on Premier League push
Ange Postecoglou’s diamond-in-the-rough find who starred at the 2015 Asian Cup won’t be part of next month’s tournament in Qatar after calling a premature end to his international career.
‘There’s a lot of variables’: Unpredictable Sydney to Hobart looms after uncertain forecast
From super maxis to two-man crews, each boat has its difficulties heading into this year’s race.
Why Brad Fittler sees the marquee No.7 of Benji’s dreams in Jarome Luai
Even at $1.2 million a season, Jarome Luai doesn’t need to be Nathan Cleary in the Wests Tigers No.7 jersey. Not with a familiar face alongside him, and a playmaking great in the coach’s box.
Have Your Say
‘I wanted to hit him’: Ambrose revisits his devastating best … and that Steve Waugh clash
It was Test cricket at its most primal. Curtly’s Ambrose’s fury over some apparent swearing led him to confront Steve Waugh in Trinidad. He had to be pulled away by Richie Richardson.
