Victoria changes ‘unconstitutional’ donation laws amid court challenge
A financial election advantage for the three biggest Victorian political parties will be removed in the face of a High Court challenge that has argued the state’s donation laws are unconstitutional. ⌘ Read more

Deaf man ‘gutted and sick’ after NDIS slashes interpreter funding
Disability advocates say cuts to Deaf participants’ NDIS funding is a “systemic” problem that reflects a belief that Deafness can be “fixed”. ⌘ Read more

Bitcoin slinks to shadows as crypto bros turn to new kid on the blockchain
It remains a useful tool for some nefarious operators, including global crime gangs and questionable governments, but Bitcoin’s role has been usurped by stablecoins — one in particular. ⌘ Read more

Is social media masking the challenges of bushwalking?
There are concerns that social media is leading to poor bushwalking decisions with trends such as “rawdogging” a hike glorifying a lack of preparedness. ⌘ Read more

Woolworths accused of exploiting affordable housing schemes to ram through projects
The retail giant is using development fast-track schemes to push ahead with new supermarket and apartment projects opposed by local councils. ⌘ Read more

‘Hopefully it’s not like the Spirits’: Opinions mixed as Hobart stadium vote looms
By the end of this week, Tasmania will know whether or not Hobart will have a new AFL stadium. Many Tasmanians are still making up their own minds about whether they support it or not. ⌘ Read more

Put the fun back into fungi. Test your mushroom facts in our quiz
Mushrooms hit the headlines this year, but not for the best reasons. It’s time to change that — take our quiz to see how many fun fungi facts you know. ⌘ Read more

A phone call. A manhunt. A gunshot: Inside Pablo Escobar’s last day
More than three decades since his death in a rooftop shootout with police, the legacy of cocaine king Pablo Escobar continues to affect Colombia. ⌘ Read more

Burned nets and an arrest signal a growing Hong Kong-mainland divide
The blaze that consumed Wang Fuk Court burned for two days, but its political shock waves may echo for weeks, even months. ⌘ Read more

Luigi Mangione faces key evidence hearings over US healthcare executive’s killing
Mr Mangione, who was arrested in 2024, has been charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan. ⌘ Read more

More than 1,000 dead after extreme flooding across Asia
Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka are reeling from flooding that has killed hundreds in each country and destroyed communities. ⌘ Read more

WHO gives green-light to Ozempic-style drugs for obesity
Ozempic-style medications have been recommended as long-term treatments for obesity under new guidelines released by the World Health Organization. ⌘ Read more

‘Kangaroo court’: UK MP lashes Bangladeshi court over corruption conviction
Tulip Siddiq says the decision should be treated with “contempt”, while her political party says she was not afforded due process. ⌘ Read more

Overlooked solution to housing crisis could unlock a million new homes: CEDA
The public policy think tank, CEDA, believes Australia could increase its current housing stock by nine per cent if just one in four standalone homes in the five biggest cities are developed into dual occupancies. ⌘ Read more

Inquest into fatal Sea World helicopter crash hears pilot prioritised safety
The executive assistant of chief pilot Ashley Jenkinson has appeared before a coronial inquest into the 2023 tragedy. ⌘ Read more

WACA seeks total exemption from paying council rates until 2035
The Western Australian Cricket Association has asked the City of Perth for a 10-year exemption from paying any rates. If granted it would potentially cost the city $2.5 million in revenue. ⌘ Read more

Netting on apartment complex did not meet fire resistance code, Hong Kong officials say
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has arrested 11 people, including the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company. ⌘ Read more

Sam Kerr ‘in the mix’ for Matildas return on Tuesday night
Matildas captain Sam Kerr is running out of chances to make her long-awaited return from a knee injury, as the Australian team faces New Zealand’s Football Ferns in their last scheduled match before next year’s Asian Cup. ⌘ Read more

Trial told nursing home resident allegedly assaulted in care has died
A 76-year-old woman who reported a sexual assault in a break-in at her nursing home has since died of unrelated causes as the trial of the man accused, Hayden Carl Skinner, began today in Coffs Harbour. ⌘ Read more

Businesses that send SMS messages now need to register their IDs
Organisations using branded identifiers in their text messages to consumers will need to register them by July 1, 2026, or risk being mistaken for a scam. ⌘ Read more

Man arrested after allegedly firing crossbow at police in Melbourne
Police say they returned fire after the man allegedly shot a crossbow at them at a house in Etham this afternoon. ⌘ Read more

Vinnies leads charity waste to ACT landfill despite sector decline
Canberra’s biggest charities dumped almost 600 tonnes of waste last financial year, with the declining quality of donations a key factor in goods ending up as landfill. ⌘ Read more

Firefighters slammed for ‘potentially deadly’ incident at Metro Tunnel
The union claimed firefighters entered the Metro Tunnel for operational reasons but Fire Rescue Victoria said there were no planned drills or site visits. ⌘ Read more

Heat and fires in the west, while record cold delivers snow in the east
Summer has arrived in Australia with a bang, with fire and searing heat in the west, while a sprinkling of snow accompanied record cold temperatures in the south-east of the country. ⌘ Read more

Hillcrest jumping castle operator seeking possible ‘millions’ in costs
The operator of the jumping castle at the centre of the tragedy in which six schoolchildren died in 2021 is seeking to recoup potentially “millions” in court costs following her being found not guilty of a health and safety charge in relation to the incident. ⌘ Read more

Scores of baby birds displaced by land clearing for renewables project
The NSW government’s flagship renewable energy project has come under fire after trees containing dozens of hatchlings were cut down. ⌘ Read more

New warning for Ozempic-style drugs over risk of suicidal thoughts
Australia’s medicines regulator issues a safety warning over the potential risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours when taking Ozempic-style drugs. ⌘ Read more

Teens in court charged over Adelaide shopping centre stabbing
Prosecutors are “likely” to consider asking for the case against two teenagers charged over a stabbing — which sent an Adelaide shopping centre into lockdown — to be moved to an adult court. ⌘ Read more

Customers ‘angry’ as caravan manufacturer collapses into administration
Hundreds of Zone RV employees are out of work weeks before Christmas after arriving at work on Monday morning and being told the bad news. ⌘ Read more

Queensland government considering youth ‘breach bail, go to jail’ laws
The government says it will consider the policy after the LNP claimed the seat of Hinchinbrook in Saturday’s by-election, where its candidate campaigned heavily on the policy. ⌘ Read more

‘Spine-tingling’: Strangers find Tasmanian convict connection
A  Victorian tourist has been “blown away” after discovering a connection with a volunteer at the Hobart Penitentiary, with the volunteer noting people seem more open to discussing their convict histories. ⌘ Read more

$3.4b Coomera Connector stage one to open after construction cracks probed
Motorists will be able to use the first 4-kilometre stretch of the new Coomera Connector as an alternative to the busy Pacific Motorway from Tuesday. ⌘ Read more

Our best summer desserts for the festive season
Summer desserts are for sharing and we have 10 options for end-of-year gatherings and Christmas. ⌘ Read more

Woman dies in WA’s north after dog attack
Local rangers removed two dogs from a Fitzroy Crossing property on Sunday after the incident. ⌘ Read more

Trump wants Venezuela’s airpsace closed — but international law stands in the way
US President Donald Trump says Venezuela’s airspace should be considered closed. According to international law, it’s not that simple. ⌘ Read more

Multiple meat workers in hospital after carbon monoxide leak in Melbourne
More than a dozen workers have fallen ill after a carbon monoxide leak at a pork processing plant in Derrimut. ⌘ Read more

Search for Sydney schoolie swept out to sea at dangerous beach
The recent spate of tragic incidents on the NSW Mid North Coast is growing, as the search continues for a Sydney school leaver who was swept out to sea near South West Rocks. ⌘ Read more

Breaking: Jury finds man accused of killing student in Darwin guilty of murder
The man accused of murdering a 23-year-old international student in Darwin in 2023 has been found guilty following a week-long trial in the NT Supreme Court. ⌘ Read more

Man admits to fatally bashing well-known surfer over $50 dispute
A man has admitted to fatally bashing a well-known surfer on Sydney’s northern beaches during a dispute in which he accused him of stealing $50. ⌘ Read more

Government set to overhaul defence department amid delays, blowouts
Three groups within defence are set to be rolled into one entity as part of a sweeping restructure of the department. ⌘ Read more

Aboriginal healers seek to share power of ‘open hands’ with Western doctors
The Ngangkaṟi in Central Australia use traditional healing techniques to draw out illness with their hands. A new edition of their globally read book aims to share this knowledge Western health workers. ⌘ Read more

South-east Qld population set to reach 4.5m despite rising property prices
The analysis by KPMG reveals the population in the south-east corner has grown by as much as 2.2 per cent over the past five years, above the national average of 1.5 per cent. ⌘ Read more

Police hope spelling errors could identify school threat suspect
A series of clues relating to allegedly violently threats against an Adelaide high school has been released in the hope it could help identify the perpetrator, three months after charges against a teenager were dropped. ⌘ Read more

WA bushfire emergency enters second day as temperature set to hit 42C
Hundreds of homes in the Mid West city of Geraldton remain under threat from an out-of-control bushfire, with firefighters battling extremely hot, dry and windy conditions. ⌘ Read more

Councils in wind farm information race as shift to renewables ramps up
As approvals for multi-billion-dollar projects land on agendas at country local government meetings, staff and elected representatives battle to ensure their communities are prepared to benefit. ⌘ Read more

Jones thrilled with ‘nice bonus’ after netting Aus Open wildcard
Teen star Emerson Jones becomes one of the youngest Australians to receive a wildcard to the Australian Open after stellar performances at tournaments in November. ⌘ Read more

Bridal parties employ witches and bury sausages hoping for good weather
Bridal parties are employing online witches and burying sausages, hoping the superstitious acts will ward off bad weather. ⌘ Read more

Olyslagers and broadcast legend McAvaney honoured at World Athletics Awards
Nicola Olyslagers becomes only the second Australian athlete to be honoured at the World Athletics Awards, while legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney is recognised for his contribution to the sport. ⌘ Read more

Beijing warns against using Hong Kong blaze to ‘disrupt’ city
Thousands of people pay tribute to the victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in more than 75 years, as Beijing warns it will crack down on any “anti-China” protest in the wake of the blaze. ⌘ Read more

Police bust alleged ‘satanic’ Sydney child abuse network
Four Sydney men have been charged as police allege the group distributed “ritualistic and satanic”-themed child abuse material online. ⌘ Read more