Australia

2h ago

UK spy chief says West between peace and war, as Russia ramps up cyberattacks

The head of a major UK intelligence agency is warning that Moscow and other adversaries could use artificial intelligence and other emerging technology to conduct "hybrid warfare" against western alli...

3h ago

Australians with disabilities copped the biggest cuts in the budget. Yet conservative media’s heart bleeds for the wealthy | Greg Jericho

The reaction to the budget has revealed Australia’s warped priorities, with the appalling inequality in dental care among the issues actively ignored Get our breaking news email, free app or daily ne...

3h ago

Soft toys, memes and a movie villain: Labor tries to simplify the message but selling a budget isn’t child’s play

As the budget fight plays out fiercely online, Labor senator Ellie Whiteaker turns to a zebra and a giraffe for help Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Selling a complicated...

3h ago

New NDIS eligibility rules will cut 240,000 participants from scheme in four years, documents reveal

Modelling predicts 241,000 people on the scheme before January 2028 won’t be receiving supports by mid-2031 Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast More than 240,000 participants...

3h ago

Iran-US draft deal would see blockade end and Hormuz reopen, state TV claims

Iranian state television says it has obtained a draft version of a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and the US.

4h ago

Superquiz, Thursday, May 28

Trivia buffs, test your knowledge with today’s interactive superquiz.

4h ago

Kalyn Ponga's Origin send-off leaves Queensland legend 'in shock'

Maroons great Darren Lockyer says the decision to send off Kalyn Ponga late in State of Origin will be hard to accept for Queenslanders.

4h ago

'Teddy is him': Cleary's praise for teammate

Nathan Cleary heaps praise on NSW teammate James Tedesco after a remarkable game-changing try in the dying seconds of the game.

4h ago

'Pinching myself': Blues debutant left in awe

Ethan Strange reflects on the opportunity to play alongside the 'legends of the game' he grew up watching while representing the NSW Blues.

4h ago

Quick hits: Blues' selection gamble pays off, bunker sparks controversy

The Blues leave it late, the Maroons finish with 12 players, while the bunker draws the ire of players, commentators and spectators alike. Here are five quick hits from State of Origin I.

5h ago

After 20 minutes, the result was a foregone conclusion – until it wasn’t

Were the Blues the best team on the night? Probably not. But it was certainly the best escape in modern memory.

5h ago

Origin I looked over after 20 minutes. The Ponga send-off changed everything

Even coach Laurie Daley looked stunned at full-time after NSW produced the greatest escape in State of Origin history.

5h ago

It was the moment that swung the match. Did Kalyn Ponga deserve to be sent off?

Queensland fans will be fuming. Even some NSW legends didn’t think the Maroons fullback should have been marched for a tackle on Tolu Koula.

5h ago

Ponga's classy apology to Slater

Kalyn Ponga visits the Queensland coach's box to apologise to Billy Slater for his game turning send-off.

5h ago

Coached by Canberra’s greatest five-eighth, Strange makes a dream Origin debut

Ethan Strange entered his first State of Origin match with high hopes of living up to the exploits of Laurie Daley. His debut was fair start.

5h ago

Tedesco stunner hands NSW the biggest comeback win in Origin history

As a contest, it appeared over after 20 minutes. But a send-off and some James Tedesco magic has given NSW a 1-0 series lead.

5h ago

The pick-and-mix home that could cut costs and get built faster

The time to build a new home has effectively doubled over the past 30 years. A $40 million “kit-of-parts” plan could turn it around.

5h ago

How Sam Walker silenced his critics in controversial Origin debut

This was Sam Walker’s trial by fire; the unveiling of whether the traits he shared with a legend could be transferred to Origin. This is how he responded.

5h ago

Extra perks voted down in first meeting after Perth council put ‘on notice’

Councillors voted against a policy that would allow extra travel and accommodation perks, originally recommended by a committee that included the lord mayor and his deputy.

5h ago

Tedesco scores last gasp match winner

James Tedesco pulls down a Nathan Cleary bomb to score a stunning match winner at the death.

5h ago

Cleary scores to put NSW within reach

Nathan Cleary gives the Blues a chance to seal a late comeback with a try to close the gap to four.

6h ago

Diphtheria outbreak reaches WA’s prisons

Two cases of the bacterial disease have been linked to West Kimberley Regional Prison, although a Justice Department spokesperson says they did not contract it while incarcerated.

6h ago

Teddy error bombs certain NSW try

A horrible pass out to Haumole Olakau'atu by NSW fullback James Tedesco denies the home side of a certain try against the Maroons.

6h ago

Strange scores on Blues debut

Ethan Strange fires over the tryline with ease to claim his first points for the NSW Blues.

6h ago

Ponga sent off for high hit on Koula

Kalyn Ponga is sent off for a high hit on Tolu Koula with Queensland players in disbelief, claiming it was merely a head clash.

6h ago

NSW cop 'soft as it gets' penalty

Hudson Young is penalised for a high tackle against the Maroons.

7h ago

Best of cartoons, May 28, 2026

The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.

7h ago

Cartoons of the week

7h ago

AFL round 12 teams and tips: A great day to be a Hawk as stars return for St Kilda clash

The teams are in for the opening game of round 12, and they spell good news for the Hawthorn faithful.

7h ago

State of Origin I player ratings: First half

How we rated the performances of every player from the 2026 State of Origin series opener in Sydney.

7h ago

Controversy strikes as possible Murray try ruled out

Cameron Murray is penalised for his grapple with Kurt Capewell before a juggling effort that may have been a try.

7h ago

He thought he had plenty in reserve

But became the victim of a chirp shot.

7h ago

Cleary's no-look grubber fools Maroons

Nathan Cleary grubbers in behind the defence for Hudson Young to score.

7h ago

To'o error adds to nightmare

Brian To'o loses the ball in a carry for the second time within minutes, putting the Blues under serious pressure.

7h ago

Hammer piles on pain for Blues

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow puts the finishing touches on the Maroons third try in a frenetic opening period.

7h ago

Five found alive in flooded Laos cave after going missing for more than a week

The search will continue, with two people still missing inside the cave.

7h ago

Breaking: Five out of seven people trapped in Laos cave found alive

Laotian and Thai rescuers have found five out of seven people trapped in a flooded cave in Laos.

7h ago

Flegler darts over in Maroons return

Tom Flegler finds the tryline in his first game back for the Maroons since enduring a lengthy layoff with a shoulder injury.

7h ago

Crafty Walker sets up Toia

Queensland halfback Sam Walker puts in a grubber and Robert Toia pounces to score the opening try.

7h ago

Community shocked after Aboriginal rock shelter bulldozed for NSW power lines

The heritage site was destroyed by contractors building transmission lines for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Indigenous com...

8h ago

Who even wants the job? Hird is now a political problem for Essendon

James Hird’s pitch is tribal. The brilliance of the campaign, intended or not, is that it creates momentum for him, may dissuade other candidates, and is founded in Essendon patriotism.

8h ago

Ed Husic calls on Labor to establish ‘red line’ on Israel’s actions, including treatment of flotilla activists

‘At some point the statements have got to end and the action needs to begin’, member for Chifley says Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Labor MP Ed Husic says Australia has...

8h ago

The cost of keeping kids safe has doubled. Experts say there’s a fix

New research shows Australia’s child protection system may become financially untenable, as children face poor outcomes and costs soar.

8h ago

Nearly half of all children missing out on critical nutrient

Nearly half of all children under five are missing out on a critical nutrient essential for growth, development, and behaviour.

8h ago

Brisbane’s only permanent outdoor cinema set to close with free screening

Dendy Powerhouse will wrap up operations this Sunday with a free final screening, ending its run as a popular New Farm cultural hub.

8h ago

Brisbane’s most popular libraries revealed amid surge in visitors

Visits are up by 100,000 in the first five months of the year, with three popular libraries leading the borrowing boom.

8h ago

Four brothers reel in catch of a lifetime

Four brothers have reeled in a 107 kilogram southern bluefin tuna on board their charter boat near Apollo Bay on Victoria’s Surf Coast.

8h ago

Maroons skipper out of series decider

Lauren Brown reflects on the late withdrawal of Maroons skipper Tamika Upton due to injury ahead of game three of the women's State of Origin series.

8h ago

'Going to test him': Teddy on alert of young half

James Tedesco has no plans to let his club teammate Sam Walker enter the Origin arena for the first time with ease.