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Ordinary weather is now extraordinary, as Sydney braces for more rain
Australia has always experienced swings between hot, dry weather and heavy rain, but this is now amplified.
New COVID FLiRT variant surges as winter looms
NSW Health estimates the new FLiRT variant accounts for almost half of new cases.
Breaking
Crime
Student with knife sends Sydney school into lockdown, teacher injured
A Sydney school was sent into lockdown after a student allegedly took a knife to school. A teacher was cut while disarming the teenager.
Exclusive
Crime
Man who allegedly stabbed woman in the head at Sydney gym had twice breached AVOs
Anthony Monteleone walked free from court after twice breaching apprehended domestic violence orders to protect a former girlfriend.
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
When uni students endorse terror, it’s time for political intervention
The university protests in Australia arising from the Israel-Gaza conflict have moved beyond a debate about free speech.
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
This mayor says he’s ‘more YIMBY than NIMBY’, but his council will sue on housing
Ku-ring-gai mayor Sam Ngai has come under fire from the planning minister for making a legal challenge to the state’s new laws.
Exclusive
NRL 2024
Fifita signs with Sydney Roosters, turns down Panthers
The Roosters have pulled off a major signing coup, beating Penrith to the services of David Fifita on a deal worth $3.3m over four years.
‘We want him here’: Parramatta offer rookie Talagi three-year deal
Blaize Talagi is prepared to test the open market, but the Eels are confident they can nail down their future No.1 to a new three-year deal.
ADF chief rejects China spying claim after helicopter flare incident
The incident, where a Chinese jet dropped flares in the path of a navy helicopter, has caused tension between Australia and the nation’s biggest trading partner.
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Biden had hoped to send a quiet message, then Israel leaked it
The US decision to pause the delivery of bombs represents a significant turning point in its relationship with Israel. But it may not necessarily be a breaking point.
Peter Baker
Explainer
US Votes 2024
Worms on the brain: RFK Jr’s offbeat run for presidency
Vaccine critic RFK Jr has gone from ‘troubled life’ to candidate for the top job. Here’s why his rivals are paying attention.
Exclusive
Hospitals
A clinic was set up to ease stress on a Sydney hospital. It’s not always open
The GP clinic is meant to cut wait times at Northern Beaches Hospital. Instead, it’s struggling to stay open.
How Sydney households could have saved $2741 without having to do anything
The amount of money saved could have been life-changing for some households in the cost of living crisis.
Opinion
Home loans
Parents thinking of helping kids into property must consider this
I have long been of the “help sooner rather than later” view, but if you hand over a lump sum to your children, is it going to be a gift or a loan?
Noel Whittaker
Money columnist
★★★★
Train journeys
Eurostar’s version of premium economy is almost as good as business
Standard Premier offers the same seat and most of the trappings of Business Premier at a lower price.
Heineken family owns a historic hotel that can never be sold
The billionaire brewers filled the hotel, built in 1896 on the site of Amsterdam’s first inn, with their priceless Dutch art collection.
Opinion
Gadgets
Apple’s tone-deaf iPad ad triggers our darkest AI fears
Apple has made its worst marketing faux pas since it forced everyone to listen to U2.
Dave Lee
NRL 2024
Opinion
Why I will continue to argue for concussion victims
The column written by my colleague last week shocked me, but this issue is far bigger than a difference of opinion.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Updated
Crichton ready for To’o, Turuva and test of Bulldogs’ finals credentials
Triple premiership winner Stephen Crichton will feel the full force of the Panthers for the first time on Friday night.
Sydney
It will be faster to take a train to the existing airport than a bus to the new one
Forecast journey times show it will take about an hour to travel on new bus services to Western Sydney Airport from nearby urban centres.
Minns flags tougher bail laws for high-risk domestic violence orders
The move comes after yet another high-profile alleged domestic violence incident which saw a woman stabbed outside an Alexandria gym on Wednesday.
‘Thank you for living’: Bondi survivor meets her superhero
Liya Barko nearly died when she was stabbed at Westfield Bondi Junction, but she was saved by a tall, calm man in a green T-shirt. Now she’s finally met Wayne Tolver-Banks.
Exclusive
Hunter Valley tragedy
Hunter Valley bus driver addicted to drugs, took pills before fatal crash
The bus driver, who killed 10 people in a crash last year, had a long history of opioid abuse that concerned doctors and employers.
Rambo-style hunting knives sold at Westfield shopping centre
Long-bladed knives, swords and axes are being sold at a kiosk in Westfield Hornsby just weeks after a knife attack claimed the lives of six people at Westfield Bondi Junction.
SEE & DO
★★★★★
Blue Lights is one of the best police dramas in years
Set in Northern Ireland, this police drama is a genuine sleeper that deserves the wide acclaim it’s earned over two seasons (with two more on the way).
From the footy field to the stage for this Indigenous dancer
Indigenous dancer Thomas ES Kelly says his work SILENCE has a message for all Australians.
Politics
Exclusive
Immigration
Laws for detainees only drafted after landmark High Court ruling
A freedom-of-information request has revealed Home Affairs officials did not draft legislation until after the November High Court ruling on immigration detention.
Business
AFR to cut print in WA after Seven’s ‘abuse of power’
The Australian Financial Review will no longer have a physical edition in Perth after Kerry Stokes’ Seven West Media doubled the cost of printing the newspaper.
World
Biden vows US will cut off weapons to Israel if it goes into Rafah
The comments represent the most direct threat the president has made to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the war began on October 7.
Opinion
Uni protests are messy, but they prove that campuses have come back to life
Alexandra Wake
Journalist and academic
Book ban uncovers uncomfortable truths for Labor in Sydney’s west
Alexandra Smith
State Political Editor
Explore
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Property
Renters would be nearly $4b better off under a rent freeze
Tenants would have saved as much as $3000 over the 12 months to March, and proponents say the cash would be life-changing.
Eight of our favourite luxury homes for sale right now
From a private sandy beach to equestrian facilities for horse lovers and a 15-metre pool, we’ve rounded up our pick of the bunch.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Opinion
Sunday Life
Mums, learn to put yourself first for once in your life
“Motherhood is as easy as climbing Everest in high heels and hotpants, carrying a disco ball.”
Kathy Lette
Writer
Culture
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is less entertaining than a nature doco
This Aussie-made reboot of Planet of the Apes is not a movie to be taken too seriously.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Exclusive
NRL 2024
Fifita signs with Sydney Roosters, turns down Panthers
The Roosters have pulled off a major signing coup, beating Penrith to the services of David Fifita on a deal worth $3.3m over four years.
‘It took 10 years to become an overnight success’: How Penrith built the ultimate footy factory
The Panthers spend $3 million every year to nurture junior talent. The result is a production line of superstars, although the premiers can’t keep them all.
‘We want him here’: Parramatta offer rookie Talagi three-year deal
Blaize Talagi is prepared to test the open market, but the Eels are confident they can nail down their future No.1 to a new three-year deal.
Updated
Paris 2024
‘Extremely heartbreaking’: Olympic medal hopeful suffers Achilles injury
Australia’s top gymnastics hope Georgia Godwin has suffered an Achilles injury just months out from Paris 2024.
From Warrington to Wollongong: Kebab-loving darts cult hero heading to Australia
Luke Littler, the 17-year-old who took the world by storm when he became the youngest ever world championship finalist, will contest the Australian Darts Masters in August.
Wallabies prop sent to Waratahs in historic deal as Jorgensen suffers another serious injury
A World Cup player has flown from Melbourne to help the injury-plagued Waratahs, but there is more trouble for Max Jorgensen.
Opinion
NRL 2024
Why this is the most important three weeks of Nicho Hynes’ career
Over the next month, the Sharks have a golden chance to shake their tag as flat-track bullies – and their star man can prove he belongs at Origin level.
Andrew Johns
League columnist
Have Your Say
Why I will continue to argue for concussion victims – past and future
The column written by my colleague last week shocked me, but this issue is far bigger than a difference of opinion.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
