Illegal ciggies tipped to soon stub out retail sales
One of Australia's biggest retailers has warned nine in 10 cigarettes will be bought illegally by the end of the decade unless the tobacco excise is cut.
politics
Students, staff live in fear as racism rampant at unis
Universities are being criticised for failing to tackle rampant racism, with a landmark report revealing how pervasive discrimination is on campus.
Epstein files may be crimes against humanity: UN
The United Nations says the crimes revealed in the Epstein files reveal abuses against women so grave they could amount to "crimes against humanity".
‘Too high’: risk to economy forces RBA’s hand on rates
Minutes from the Reserve Bank's latest meeting reveal the thinking behind its call to lift interest rates for the first in more than two years.
Liberal leader’s unity call as allies rule front bench
Prominent conservatives will return to the front bench as Opposition Leader Angus Taylor unveils his first shadow cabinet.
Australia says IS fighters’ families not welcome back
The Australian government says it will not repatriate 34 nationals released by Syrian Kurdish forces from a camp holding families of suspected IS militants.
Child safety system no place for kids: abuse survivor
A female survivor removed from an abusive home has told a child safety inquiry that she only experienced further abuse while in state care.
Tough new laws to crack down on illegal tobacco ‘thugs’
Businesses caught selling illegal tobacco could have their shops shut down for up to 90 days under planned state laws.
Coffee catch-up decides top cop after shock retirement
Former Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Brett Pointing has been hand-picked as Queensland's top cop after Steve Gollschewski's shock retirement.
Ex-minister urges probe of Andrew’s UK trade envoy role
A former UK business secretary says police or prosecutors should check whether criminal corruption took place during Andrew's stint as trade envoy.
One tax still off the table as treasurer weighs reform
The International Monetary Fund report is calling for a hike in the GST and other tax changes, while praising the handling of Australia's economy.
‘Shut the door’: Liberal leader mulls migration change
Newly minted Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is mulling over the make-up of his front bench ahead of the likely release of the Liberals' migration policy.
Ukraine delaying restart of oil pipeline: Slovakia
Ukraine has been accused of delaying the restart of a pipeline carrying Russian oil to eastern Europe.
Trump attacks Herzog in row over Netanyahu pardon
US President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu, who is accused of corruption.
RBA offers more rates call insight before jobs data
Critical unemployment figures will give Australia's central bank a clearer picture on whether it will deliver a second interest rate hike in as many months.
Liberal leaders hit with gender blow as tax fight looms
Angus Taylor is promising the new-look Liberal leadership will focus on cutting taxes and weeding out those who "reject our way of life".
Jeffrey Epstein used Nobel Peace Prize to lure elites
Disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein used the lure of his hosting the head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee in invitations to and in chats with elites.
Cafes urged to close on Anzac Day long weekend holiday
There will be a statewide public holiday to compensate for Anzac Day falling on a weekend over the next two years, but not everyone is punching the air.
Rubio says US is ‘child of Europe’, critical friend
US Secretary of State Mark Rubio received a standing ovation after seemingly reaffirming a strong relationship with Europe.
Alexei Navalny was poisoned by dart frog toxin
Samples taken from the body of Russian opposition leader and Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny reveal he was poisoned with a lethal toxin while imprisoned.
US’s Rubio reassures Europe on trans-Atlantic ties
The US and Europe belong together, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told a security forum, as he both soothed and needled officials about the alliance.
Leaders’ love-in amid differences over police actions
The prime minister has praised NSW Premier Chris Minns as his friend, hours after their differing views over police conduct at a city protest were aired.
Trump says Iran regime change could be ‘best thing’
As another US warship heads to the Middle East, Donald Trump says a change in power in Iran "would be the best thing that could happen".
UK PM Starmer urges closer defence ties with Europe
Keir Starmer is set to declare the Brexit years over for Britain as he signals the nation is ready to work with Europe to reduce NATO's dependence on the US.
Liberals pin hopes on housing to turn fortunes around
Angus Taylor has put housing front and centre of his priorities as the newest leader of the federal Liberal Party.
‘Right the ship’: polluters tax could be vote spinner
An ex-Labor strategist turned pollster says there are votes in taxing Australia's biggest polluters through reframing the debate and evolving demographics.
Bail bid for Labor figure’s alleged killer fails
Details about what happened in a nightclub before a young man allegedly fatally "coward punched" Tim Picton have been revealed to a court during a bail hearing.
Ley ‘won’t dwell on the disappointment’ after ousting
Sussan Ley has been deposed as the Liberal Party's first female leader, declaring she will completely step away from public life after 25 years in politics.
Cops slam kids’ ankle bracelets as a burden on staffing
Children as young as 10 may be fitted with electronic monitoring devices under new laws, but questions remain over how, or even whether they will be applied.
Hard reality of reconciliation on apology anniversary
There remains a long way to go for Indigenous reconciliation as racism continues to fester, almost two decades on from the apology to the Stolen Generations.
Liberals’ first female leader knifed as spill succeeds
Angus Taylor has taken over the Liberal Party leadership, toppling Sussan Ley to become the opposition leader. Mr Taylor succeeded in knifing the party's first female leader nine months into the job, winning 34 votes to 17.