Just in
Latest
Japan quake toll rises as many trapped under possibly thousands of homes
Authorities have confirmed 55 deaths, all in Ishikawa prefecture, making it Japan’s deadliest earthquake since 2016.
- by Kiyoshi Takenaka, Sakura Murakami and Kantaro Komiya
Zelensky is angry and he wants you to know it
With hunched shoulders, the Ukrainian president rams home his points by banging his fingers on the desk of the situation room during an exclusive interview.
The mellow man from one of the loudest bands on Earth
There’s way more to Dinosaur Jr frontman J Mascis than his hard-rocking, taciturn image would suggest.
- by Barry Divola
Musical set in a pub offers pints with the stars and a message of love
Jukebox musical The Choir of Man offers up hit songs and good times – but as fun as the show is, there’s more to it than boisterous bloke culture.
- by Stephen A Russell
What will we be talking about this year? Here are our predictions
One thing’s for sure: breakdancing, this is your year.
- by Robert Moran
Everything you need to know about the 2024 Golden Globes
The 81st Golden Globes will be held on Monday, marking the first ceremony since the dissolution of its original voting body.
- by Nell Geraets
Chargers, snacks and a podcast for the road: The best listens for your drive
Got a long drive on the horizon? These podcasts will ensure your road trip is packed with entertainment.
- by Kerrie O'Brien and Helen Pitt
‘Worth it’: Why these Aussies made Ed Sheeran’s latest music video free
The pop star issued a global callout for filmmakers to make video clips for his latest album Autumn Variations. The Australian winner’s effort was Amazing.
- by Hannah Story
Senior Hamas official killed in Beirut by Israeli drone: security sources
Saleh al-Arouri was a senior official in Hamas’s politburo and was also one of the founders of its military wing, the Qassam Brigades,
Exclusive
HSC
Coaching colleges target selective students and ‘undermine’ HSC
Up to 95 per cent of students at some of the state’s best selective schools are being privately coached, getting a jump on their peers.
- by Lucy Carroll
Mortgage market growth to defy high interest rates and prices in 2024
Banks will continue competing on home loan pricing, although they are likely to remain measured in their approach, experts say.
- by Millie Muroi
Opinion
Australian cricket
Warner’s hundreds made headlines, but Australia will miss intangibles more
David Warner’s all-round contribution to the Australian team will be nearly impossible to replace. But there are two candidates who hold a big advantage – and here’s why.
- by Mark Taylor
Inside the shed where tanks of frogs are on a mission to save their species
These corroboree frogs – no bigger than 3 centimetres – are critically endangered, battling disease, invasive species, a changing environment and natural disasters. This shed is hoping to change that.
- by Laura Chung
Exclusive
Australian cricket
‘I want to leave a legacy’: How Warner learned importance of playing his way
Throughout his career, David Warner’s batting was a manifestation of his personality – except during the 2019 Ashes, where, he has revealed, Justin Langer and Steve Waugh tried to curb his natural enthusiasm.
- by Andrew Webster
Explainer
Science
What’s the art (and science) of making a beautiful sandcastle?
Great minds, from Buddhists to Beyoncé, have grappled with the deeper meaning of sandcastles. But in practice, how do you make one that is truly great?
- by Angus Holland
Wine bars, parks and Sydney’s best bookstore: Newtown has it all
After three years in New York City, Sydney no longer felt like home – until I moved to this inner west suburb.
- by Gyan Yankovich
Exclusive
Energy
Coalition cooks up tax write-offs for ditching gas to end party ‘climate wars’
Liberal moderate Andrew Bragg has been given free rein to map out the opposition’s energy policy – but some in the party argue that nuclear power should still be an option.
- by Paul Sakkal
Updated
Air accident
Five dead after coast guard plane collides with passenger jet at Tokyo airport
All 379 passengers and crew of a Japan Airlines plane miraculously escaped from a fire following the collision, but five of the six crew of the coast guard aircraft were killed.
The Good Food guide to … Byron Bay
From breakfast rolls to blow-out dinners, we’ve compiled all your eating and drinking essentials for NSW’s hottest food town this summer.
- by Callan Boys and Good Food Guide reviewers
Woman dead in Coffs Harbour as drowning toll rises
A woman has died after she was caught in a rip with a child at a Coffs Harbour beach. The child was pulled to safety.
- by Jessica McSweeney
Opinion
Corporate ethics
Woke corporatism has started to implode
If companies can get back to making decent products at a fair price, and paying their staff and customers on time, the system will be a lot stronger.
- by Matthew Lynn
Panthers clear the way for Luai to take up lucrative Tigers deal
Conjecture over Jarome Luai’s future - and an outside bid to lure him to Belmore - is set to be put to bed after Penrith’s move.
- by Dan Walsh
‘They serve a sentence too’: Victoria urged to help prisoners’ kids
Advocates have slammed the government’s two-page response to inquiries calling to help Victoria’s “invisible” population of children with parents in jail.
- by Kieran Rooney
When did going to the shops become so awful?
I used to love the shops. The shops were the great equaliser.
- by James Colley
Beauty or the beast? Sydney’s most divisive office block is heritage listed
It’s an icon for some and a blot on the landscape to others, but Sydney’s landmark MLC building is safe from demolition after a tangled legal battle.
- by Megan Gorrey
COVID inquiry warning to plug Australia’s health gaps before next pandemic
People from the least advantaged fifth of the population were six times more likely to die of COVID at the pandemic’s 2021 Australian peak than those in the most advantaged group.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Opinion
Australian cricket
The moment of tragedy that made me realise I was wrong about David Warner
We went to war on Twitter in 2013 when he was at the IPL. But during the worst week of my life, David Warner showed me he was a fundamentally decent human being.
- by Malcolm Conn
Danish royals well versed in modesty and respect
Welcome to the throne, Queen Mary, I trust you’ll like it.
Energy stocks drive markets close to record high as trading resumes in 2024
The Australian sharemarket starts the New Year on a positive note, shrugging off a negative lead from Wall Street last week.
- by Millie Muroi
Updated
Earthquakes
Thousands homeless, dozens dead following powerful earthquake in Japan
Aftershocks continue to shake Ishikawa prefecture and nearby areas a day after a magnitude 7.6 quake slammed the area on Monday.
- by Satoshi Sugiyama
‘A hundred and a match-winning wicket’: What Cummins wants from Warner
David Warner hasn’t taken a Test wicket in more than 11 years, but his captain may throw him the ball if Australia can get on top of Pakistan at the SCG.
- by Tom Decent
Updated
Earthquakes
‘I thought I was going to die’: Australians recount Japan quake escape
The 7.6-magnitude earthquake in western Japan has killed at least 30 people and reduced buildings to rubble.
- by Sarah McPhee and Jessica McSweeney
Two former non-citizen detainees arrested for breaching curfew over Christmas
Seven of the approximately 150 non-citizens, including some sex offenders and other violent crimes, have now been arrested.
- by Paul Sakkal and Matthew Knott
Updated
World politics
South Korea opposition leader stabbed in neck by man ‘wanting autograph’
Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the 2022 election, was attacked while surrounded by reporters and supporters. The assailant was arrested at the scene.
- by Hyonhee Shin
Mickey Mouse has entered the public domain for the first time
You can now sell Mickey merchandise and Disney can’t stop you – with some caveats.
- by Andrew Dalton
Top Australian tennis junior Charlie Camus defects to France
Charlie Camus was once one of Australia’s brightest tennis prospects, but he will now represent France after receiving a better offer from the rival federation.
- by Marc McGowan
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel pulls some troops from Gaza but steps up strikes in the south
The shift appears to correspond to pressure from Israel’s top ally, the United States, to review tactics and to do more to protect non-combatants.
- by Dan Williams, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Arafat Barbakh
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The war in Gaza is changing, but the end is not yet in sight
Thousands of Israeli troops are returning home because of a faltering economy, a frustrated United States and a changed situation on the ground in Gaza.
- by Matthew Knott
‘Getting paid a truckload more’: Khawaja’s plan to save Test cricket
Usman Khawaja said he would not still be playing Test cricket if paid the inferior wages offered by many of Australia’s opponents, and has implored global chiefs to conduct an audit of where money in the game is going.
- by Daniel Brettig
‘My last resort’: Warner’s plea for missing baggy greens
The veteran opener’s treasured caps have gone missing from his luggage as he prepares for his final Test at the SCG.
- by Tom Decent
Analysis
Cybersecurity
Protecting passwords: The best ways to keep your data safe
Cyberattacks and data breaches are a fact of everyday life, but there are ways to make sure your passwords – and your most sensitive information – isn’t caught up.
- by David Swan
Analysis
World politics
What to expect around the world in 2024
Amid hope for less war and a better year, our correspondents take a look at the major issues they will be watching in their patch.
- by Eryk Bagshaw, Chris Barrett, Lucy Cormack, Rob Harris, Farrah Tomazin, Lia Timson and Matt Wade
Netanyahu’s move to weaken judicial oversight overturned, in huge blow at home
The court decision, which comes after months of nationwide protests, could test the cohesion of the emergency government formed to manage the war against Hamas.
- by Ari Rabinovitch
Alicio speaks three languages, loves science and is popular at school, but Australia doesn’t want him
Alicio has cerebral palsy. While his condition hasn’t held him back from swimming lessons, nor from playing with his friends in the school playground, it means Australia’s migration system won’t let him stay.
- by Angus Thompson
Australian-Israeli citizen dies fighting in Gaza
Tank commander Lior Sivan, 32, who moved to Israel from Melbourne as a toddler, is the first known Australian citizen serving in Israel’s defence forces to die in the war.
- by Matthew Knott
‘An absolute freak’: The 16-year-old bringing swagger to the biggest stage in world darts
Luke Littler has not only reached the world championship semi-finals at the age of just 16 – he’s done it with the priceless sporting commodity of added swagger.
- by Jeremy Wilson and Luke Slater
Sydney’s leafy suburbs are no longer where you think
Sydney’s north has lost significant amounts of tree canopy, while the west’s has skyrocketed. See how your region rates.
- by Anthony Segaert
Danish crowds cheer their next king and queen amid strong approval ratings
Denmark’s king-in-waiting, Frederik, and his Australian-born wife Mary, have been raucously cheered by crowds at their first public appearance since Queen Margrethe’s shock abdication.
- by Rob Harris
Man dies after apartment fire in Sydney’s north
The 45-year-old man suffered severe burns after a blaze broke out following reports of an explosion in a Meadowbank unit on New Year’s Day.
- by Sarah McPhee and Christopher Harris
Archaeologists stumped by Anglo-Saxon artefact ‘completely unlike’ any other
Despite the skill which would have been required to make it, the roughly 1200-year-old object has no apparent purpose.
- by Craig Simpson
Murray’s last hurrah? Even in defeat, British battler shows the fighting spirit admired by a legend
Rafael Nadal has hailed Andy Murray’s drive to keep competing, and the Scottish veteran showed there’s still plenty of fight left in him despite a loss to Grigor Dimitrov in Brisbane.
- by Nick Wright