Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOSTwo young boys have been found dead at a home in a small regional town
with police arresting a woman believed to be their grandmother
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueOfficers visited the property at Coonabarabran
following reports of a concern for their welfare
was taken to hospital for further assessment where she remains under police guard
The deaths are being investigated under Strike Force Darnum
assisted by detectives from State Crime Command's Homicide Squad
Premier Chris Minns described the discovery of the boys' bodies as heartbreaking
"What has occurred is terrible and as a state we share in the community of Coonabarabran's grief at the loss of two young boys who had their entire futures ahead of them," he said."I can not begin to imagine the heartbreak their loved ones are currently feeling
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
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Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThat's certainly the case when it comes to Lithgow's long trek to Nyngan in round two of the Peter McDonald Premiership
"It's a long one," said 21-year-old halfback Kaidyn Whittaker
It certainly is. It's so long it's the biggest trip any side makes in anywhere in NSW rugby league
The Workies Wolves face a round trip of nine hours and more than 800kms this week as they prepares to take on the Tigers
The bulk of the club's players will travel three hours to Dubbo on Friday
before completing the rest of the trip on the moring of the matches
Kaidyn Whittaker in action for Lithgow during his side's round one loss to Orange Hawks
but Whittaker and his clubmates are trying not to think too much about the almighty challenge they face
"You try and just treat it like any other game
The monster trip is just one of the challenges the Lithgow sides face in the Peter McDonald Premiership
Coach Peter Morris has pointed out a number of times the club has to rely on local juniors as it can't fork out the kind of sums others do to attract players
Former Cook Islands international Kadiyae Ioka was recruited this season
but outside the five-eighth almost the entire first grade and reserve grade squads are made-up of locals
Whittaker falls into that category and the Lithgow Storm junior views it as a strength
"It makes everyone want to turn up for each other each week," he said of the strong connection to the club
Despite a home 26-10 defeat to Orange Hawks in round one
The club is the only one of the 12 in the Peter McDonald Premiership yet to play first grade finals since the competition started in 2022
Morris stated ahead of round one he had the belief that could change in 2025
We're hoping to make the top eight," he said
The halfback will be key top any success the side has
He showed his quality by setting up one try in the round one loss to Hawks with a deft kick and he's keen to produce more than that as the season goes on
Kaidyn Whittaker and Lithgow coach Pete Morris after the round one clash with Orange Hawks
Picture by Lithgow Workies Wolves/FacebookLast year was Whittaker's first full season in the top grade and he admitted he didn't feel fully comfortable in his role until midway through the campaign
Lithgow started to play some of its best footy late in the year
with the combination of Whittaker and teenager Eli Morris blossoming
The highly-rated Morris has since made the move to the Melbourne Storm
something his former teammates are proud of
Whittaker said it's now up to him to step up and produce more in the halves alongside newcomer Ioka
"He (Ioka) has settled in and he's going to get better as the season goes on," Whittaker said
"He's played at a pretty high level so you learn new things (from him)."
The halfback said his side "didn't turn up" in the first half against Hawks and that proved the difference as Lithgow went on to win the second half 10-4
but the side will be without injured captain and backrower Travis Dukes while star outside back Riley Dukes is also out due to work commitments
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior sport journalist for Western NSW. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and everywhere in between. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
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All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueSunday dawned clear
Autumn's chill lingered a while in the shadows but was quickly banished by the sun
And the sky did not fall the morning after the night before
At least not for most ordinary Australians
The scale of the Coalition loss was historic and largely unforeseen - except by one poll last week
When YouGov modelling predicted Labor would be returned with a substantially improved majority and the Coalition would suffer its worst result since 1946
most polls had predicted Labor would hold its small majority
Turns out it was almost on the money - "almost" because it underestimated the extent of the Labor win
But this one poll wasn't the only vindication to be had
As analysts crunched the numbers on Sunday morning
Labor under Albanese had outperformed Chifley
all of them historic ALP wins in their day
The Marrickville mumbler had found his voice and
Anthony Albanese's second election victory will rank among the greats. Picture Getty ImagesYouGov predicted Labor would win 84 seats, which seemed fanciful last week. By midday yesterday, it was being projected to win 88 and was within shooting distance of a final outcome somewhere in the 90s. If Canada's election result was breathtaking
the landslide sets up huge challenges on both sides of the dispatch box
With Peter Dutton's loss in Dickson
the opposition has the monumental task of rebuilding itself
It must choose a new leader from a badly diminished field
Andrew Hastie and Dan Tehan are touted as the top contenders
but none of them presents a particularly inspiring choice
And the Liberal Party must somehow re-emerge as the senior partner in the Coalition even if the numbers suggest that status is now unjustified and that the LNP acronym ought to be changed to NLP
"Will we see a Littleproud for PM campaign in 2028?"
a landslide win brings with it enormous expectations
cost of living and energy hasn't gone anywhere
Albanese in this next term will be expected to be bolder in his reform agenda - certainly less timid and incremental than he was in his first term
But he'll also have to be wary of creeping hubris - and risk taking - within Labor ranks
Which gets us back to election night and the grace shown in both victory and defeat
Finally, we got to see that softer side of Peter Dutton in his concession speech
He took full responsibility for the Coalition's defeat
saying his mum would have been proud of him
who had taken the seat he'd held for so long
Dutton said her late son would be immensely proud of her
ticked off a supporter who had nasty words for Peter Dutton
we treat each other with respect irrespective of our differences
Grace on both sides is something that should make us proud of our democracy
HAVE YOUR SAY: Did the extent of the Labor win take you by surprise? What do you expect from the PM in his second term? Who is best suited to lead the coalition out of the political wilderness? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too
- Just days before the Vatican convenes to elect a new pope, US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by seemingly sharing a doctored image of himself dressed in papal regalia
The digitally altered image was posted without explanation on Trump's social media platform
at 10.29pm on Friday night (12.30pm Saturday Australian time)
It quickly triggered criticism - and amusement - online
- Labor is set to have an easier path to implementing its second-term agenda, picking up several Senate seats at the federal election. Fresh from its increased majority in the lower house, Labor looks likely to pick up three more seats at the coalition's expense
- The Nationals have again outperformed the Liberals
battening down the hatches in their seats as their coalition partner experienced an electoral storm
The junior coalition party has retained almost all of its seats and took large chunks out of Labor's margin in the Northern Territory seat of Solomon and Victorian seat of Bendigo
THEY SAID IT: "Grace is not part of consciousness; it is the amount of light in our souls
YOU SAID IT: The other clear winner in the election was democracy itself
the Australian version of which has no time for extremism or populism
"This column hit the nail on the head," writes Louise
"We do enjoy a democratic process in Australia
no mention of the horrific domestic violence and a significant increase in funding to get on top of this shameful stain on our community
we must remain vigilant that the rise of Trumpism does not make its way into our enviable way of life."
and within that context he was perfectly accurate
When Trump trumpets himself in the same fashion
he is not restricting his context and his main believer is himself
While there will be some Australians who see his style
his message and his apparent success as something worth adopting or following
I believe the majority of Australians are sufficiently unimpressed to support his political style
but the vast majority of us accept that other people have opinions too."
"Many people can be so easily persuaded by simplistic slogans towards easy solutions
Being disrespectful of others is never the answer to a cohesive society
Joan writes: "I think we are in great danger of the Trumps of this world
we are too complacent with our democratic rights
too many Australians are only concerned with their own backyard and their hip pocket
They only get upset when either of those are directly affected by a political manoeuvre."
"Trump's actions have made many people across the world realise how lucky they are not living in America and to appreciate our own countries
"If we allow inequality and greed to thrive here as they do over there
We need to explain the long-term benefits of this to the community as a whole
If we properly support people who are struggling instead of locking them up
build interesting communities from our diversity
Crazy to squash people down until they become desperate and act irrationally to deal with their pain."
Jeanette writes: "Australia can remain immune to Trump's style of politics as long as we remain vigilant and become far more perceptive than we are at present
Trumpism is multifarious and that's the biggest danger - not recognising it for what it really is."
Four decades in the media, working in print and television. Formerly editor of the South Coast Register and Milton Ulladulla Times. Based on the South Coast of NSW.
Photo: AP PHOTOTen people are dead after "sudden strong winds" capsized four boats carrying tourists in southwest China
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe last missing person was found about noon on Monday local time but showed no vital signs
The Xinhua News Agency said 74 people had been rescued in the accident which occurred on Sunday in Guizhou province
The vessels carrying tourists capsized on a river in Guizhou province on Sunday
(AP PHOTO)Authorities sent 70 people to hospital to be treated for "non-life-threatening conditions"
Nearly 500 rescue workers were mobilised to deal with the accident as Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed provincial authorities to "do everything possible"
Xi also said authorities should enhance safety measures to curb the growing number of accidents at tourist attractions and major public places
Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOSCanterbury are set to lose Jacob Preston for at least three weeks as Melbourne forwards Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu breathe a sigh of relief after the NRL charge sheet came out
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueStar second-rower Preston will cop three weeks on the sidelines with an early guilty plea for a grade-two crusher tackle on Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui late in the Bulldogs' 38-18 win at Magic Round
The Bulldogs are already missing suspended forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran for their away clash with Canberra on Saturday
The Storm lost 20-18 to the Raiders in golden point in a controversial Sunday night finish to Magic Round
they led 18-12 and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen kicked a field goal in the 75th minute that would have taken them to 19-12
the Bunker found an elbow to the head of Raiders captain Joseph Topine by Storm lock Loiero in a previous play when Melbourne had the ball
The Raiders then levelled through a scintillating try to fullback Kaeo Weekes
but the Storm were in position for a field goal in golden point when prop Utoikamanu was pinged and sin-binned for stomping on hooker Tom Starling in the play-the-ball
Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu (right) has escaped charge from the fiery loss to Canberra
(HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)"The game was in the balance and ..
"I was trying to play the ball and move Tom Starling out of the way
especially when you have been warned from the refs about that sort of stuff."
Raiders skipper Jamal Fogarty then landed the winning penalty after Loiero was ruled to have taken Hudson Young high
While coach Craig Bellamy was scathing post-match of his side's lack of discipline
he also suggested the officiating did his side no favours when asked if the Storm were "hard done by"."You can say that if you like," Bellamy replied
That sentiment could well be enhanced on Monday after both Loiero and Utoikamanu were cleared by the match review committee to play in the home game against Wests Tigers on Sunday
Papenhuyzen spoke to ABC Radio Sport after the match
and his assessment of the Utoikamanu incident proved prophetic
"You are trying to get a quick play-the-ball
Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOSA maintenance worker accused of killing gangland lawyer Joseph Acquaro has walked from court a free man after his murder charge was dropped
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueVincenzo Crupi
was accused of shooting dead Mr Acquaro as he left his East Brunswick gelato store on March 15
He pleaded not guilty to murder and was awaiting trial in the Victorian Supreme Court but prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams on Monday confirmed the case had been discontinued
Joseph Acquaro was shot dead in front of his East Brunswick gelato shop in March 2016
(Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)Mr McWilliams did not detail in court the reason why prosecutors dropped the murder charge
Justice Jane Dixon confirmed Mr Crupi was not in custody on any other matters so she allowed him to the leave the dock for the rest of the brief hearing
Mr Crupi hugged his lawyers outside the courtroom but declined to comment
He was first charged in 2018 with Mr Acquaro's murder and was committed to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court the following year
But the case was repeatedly delayed due to a legal fight over confidential material
Victoria Police sought to withhold more than 600 pages of documents from Mr Crupi's lawyers
arguing it could identify a police informant known as Informer Z
A Supreme Court judge ruled against the police in 2018
saying the documents could substantially assist Mr Crupi in his defence
always denied shooting Joseph Acquaro dead
(James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)The police commissioner then appealed the decision to the High Court
with three justices overturning the judge's original ruling in September 2024
The case was sent back to the Supreme Court but no new trial date was listed
always denied the allegation he shot dead Mr Acquaro
Police had alleged Mr Crupi carried out the murder following a dispute over payment for tiling work he carried out at Mr Acquaro's gelato store
But Mr Crupi claimed Mr Acquaro was an informer and it was reasonably possible he was killed by someone who had learnt of his discussions with police
Mr Acquaro had represented prominent gangland figures during his time as a lawyer and he had strong ties with Melbourne's Calabrian community
it was revealed he had shared information about at least one of his clients to police although he was never formally registered as an informer
Photo: AP PHOTOKatherine Heigl has accepted she won't be "the ingenue forever"
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe 46-year-old actress achieved many of her career ambitions during her 20s
when she starred in movies such as Knocked Up
The Ugly Truth and 27 Dresses - but Heigl accepts that she's now entered a new chapter in her life
"I wasn't thinking about [ageing] in my 20s
and I was getting to do all the roles I had always wanted to be able to do," The Hollywood star told Us Weekly
Katherine Heigl concedes she's at a different phase in her career
(AP PHOTO)"I started as a child actor but by the time I got into my mid to late teens
"So I was so excited and on cloud nine getting to do what I had been sort of hustling to do for so many years
And you don't think about the expiration date on it."
Heigl concedes she's now entered a different phase in her career
there's a young generation that's coming up and I had my time and it was glorious
"And not to say that I can't be the romantic lead in something at 46 - that women in their 40s don't have a romantic love life or that they aren't funny or that
And I feel like so many women in their 40s and 50s and 60s have compelling
interesting lives that we'd all be interested in seeing
and the ingenue is really a valuable role in Hollywood
but I am still a value and it might look different and it might feel different
the story's worth telling.' It's a different fight."
Photo: AP PHOTOYemen's Houthi rebels say they will impose a "comprehensive" aerial blockade on Israel by repeatedly targeting its airports
in response to Israel expanding its operations in Gaza
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile strike that hit near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport
saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate
Most attacks from Yemen have been intercepted by Israel's missile defence systems
though a drone strike hit Tel Aviv in 2024
Sunday's missile was the only one of a series launched since March that was not intercepted
The Houthis' Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre
a body set up in 2024 to liaise between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators
issued the warning about targeting Israeli airports
saying Ben Gurion Airport would be the top target
The statement attached an email it said was sent to the International Air Transport Association
and the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organisation
Houthi forces called "upon all international airlines to take this announcement into serious consideration ..
and to cancel all their flights to the airports of the criminal Israeli enemy
in order to safeguard the safety of their aircraft and passengers"
A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel collapsed in March and air and ground attacks have resumed
(AP PHOTO)Israel's security cabinet approved plans for an expanded operation in the Gaza Strip
adding to signs that attempts to stop the fighting and return hostages held by Palestinian militant group Hamas have made no progress
Since the collapse of an earlier ceasefire agreement in March
Israeli troops have been carving out wide buffer zones in Gaza
squeezing the 2.3 million population into an ever narrower zone in the centre of the enclave and along the coast and shutting off the entry of aid trucks
Aid groups have warned the Israeli blockade risks a humanitarian disaster
Israel's campaign on Gaza has laid waste to much of the enclave and so far killed more than 52,000 people
That Hamas offensive killed 1200 people and led to 251 people being taken hostage
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe man tried to punch several security guards
resisted police and ended up being sent to Bathurst Hospital due to what was described as his psychotic state
As the man appeared in Bathurst Local Court to be sentenced on a number of charges
his solicitor asked the magistrate to note that two of those with whom he had been camping had written letters that were being used as part of his defence
The court was also asked to note the man's cognitive challenges
having previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm
hinder or resist a police officer in the execution of duty and stalk or intimidate with the intention of causing fear of physical
Nolan had also pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny related to an incident at Raymond Terrace that was separate to the incidents at Mount Panorama
File picture.What happenedThe witness in the matter is the primary organiser of a large group of people who attend the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama each year
The group books 10 campsites and is made up of extended members of the witness' family as well as friends
including one of the victims in the matter
Nolan is an associate of the witness and had attended the event for the past three years without incident
several of the group left the Mount Panorama precinct to go to licensed premises in the Bathurst CBD
Nolan separated from the group at some point and they returned to the campsite without him
He arrived at the campsite later in the day and continued to drink
one of the members of the group was cooking at a barbecue within the campsite
when Nolan approached her from behind and slapped her on the buttocks
She turned around and told Nolan she didn't appreciate it and to back off
Nolan attempted to tell her it was another person in the group who slapped her
but Nolan verbally abused her and others in the campsite
sensing that Nolan was becoming more and more aggressive
Nolan began to kick and punch bins and swags and hit himself in the head with one of his boots
The witness told several of the younger female members of the group to go to an adjoining campsite while he attempted to calm Nolan and get him to go to bed
the witness attempted to reason with Nolan
warning him on several occasions that he would be forced to contact security to have Nolan removed as he was scaring members of numerous campsites
Nolan continued to act in an aggressive and threatening manner
only to to get back out and continue his combative behaviour
Picture by Carla Freedman.The witness had not called them
but believed neighbouring campers had done so out of fear
As security attempted to de-escalate the situation
Nolan attempted to take hold of an axe that was resting in a wood pile and said words to the effect that he would kill everyone
Security personnel attempted to restrain him and Nolan tried to punch several security guards and tried to bite one guard on his right arm
Nolan got his head under the guard's arm and took hold of him
then dropped his body weight to the ground
The guard fell in a fashion that led to him having his shoulder placed in a position that gave him immediate pain
The guard suspected that his shoulder had been dislocated
A number of police arrived and helped security in restraining Nolan
He continued to yell at police and security
Given what was described in the police documents as Nolan's "psychotic state"
he was initially taken to Bathurst Hospital via police vehicle for a mental health assessment
He continued to yell and kick while in the police vehicle and hospital until he was sedated by medical staff
File picture.He was assessed by medical staff at around 8am
was arrested and taken to the police station
he said he had no recollection of the incident
He denied using methamphetamine and said he had drunk at least 10 beers and had some cannabis
Nolan declined to be interviewed or to take part in any electronic recording
said Nolan stole a 2013 specialised dual suspension mountain bike
Magistrate Gemma Slack-Smith said the court had a Magistrates' Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) drug and alcohol report for Nolan
references and a Sentencing Assessment Report
"Very positive and very thorough," Nolan's solicitor James Taylor said
He said all material indicated his client's remorse and contrition with respect to what he had done
Mr Taylor said his client was on a disability support pension
At the time of the incidents at Mount Panorama
Nolan had drunk a bottle-and-a-half of Sambuca
Mr Taylor said - a volume of alcohol that might have had a "more fatal end result" for others
"He has no recollection of the incident itself
and "has accepted whatever has been alleged by police"
Mr Taylor asked the court to note a character reference from the witness as well as a letter from the female victim
"His behaviour was appalling," Mr Taylor said of Nolan
"But he has done his utmost to repair the damage."
He said his client had cognitive challenges
while Ms Slack-Smith said it was clear from material before her that Nolan came from a very deprived background and "has some significant challenges in his life"
Nolan was on an 18-month Community Correction Order (used for crimes that do not warrant imprisonment or an Intensive Correction Order
but are too serious to be dealt with by a fine or lower level penalty) at the time of the incident at Mount Panorama and had gone 15 months on that order without offending
He said his client did have an assault matter in 2015 on his criminal history
When Mr Taylor said he wasn't sure if the court would decide the Section 5 threshold (where there is no alternative to jail) had been crossed
police prosecutor Inspector Bruce Wells said he would not be opposed to a Community Correcton Order with supervision
Ms Slack-Smith noted that Nolan had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity and so was entitled to a 25 per cent discount on sentence
She also noted that she did not have any information about the extent of the security guard's shoulder injury
Ms Slack-Smith said the MERIT report before her was "very positive"
saying Nolan had initially found it difficult to engage in the process but had then become very engaged and had reduced his alcohol use
The difficulties of Nolan's childhood and his cognitive challenges were also noted by Ms Slack-Smith
as was the supervision plan proposed for him
For assault occasioning actual bodily harm
Ms Slack-Smith convicted Nolan and imposed a Community Correction Order of 18 months with supervision at Maitland
It includes a rehabilitation and treatment condition for drug and alcohol counselling
Ms Slack-Smith convicted Nolan and fined him $300
Ms Slack-Smith convicted Nolan and fined him $700
Ms Slack-Smith convicted Nolan and imposed an 18-month Community Correction Order
Ms Slack-Smith told Nolan that he could pay off his fines by attending drug and alcohol counselling
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueHis Bathurst Panthers side suffered a 62-6 hammering at the hands of Dubbo CYMS on Sunday
It was only two seasons ago when Panthers made their last trip to Apex Oval to take on the Fishies and copped a similar thrashing
That one was a 60-0 loss and Betts didn't mince his words after either result
He used "embarrassing" to describe both while on Sunday he added "terrible" and said his side played like an under 7s side
If Panthers do manage to turn things around this season and play finals footy
there's one ground they certainly won't want to go to
Dejected Bathurst Panthers players at Apex Oval
Picture by Nick GuthrieAn early blockbusterWellington and Dubbo CYMS have one of the great rivalries in the western area and the latest blockbuster between the two could be played next weekend
The Cowboys and Fishies are two of just three sides to sit unbeaten after the first two rounds of the season
CYMS' quality is well known and the expectation is they will be towards the top of the ladder every season
but the Cowboys have been one of the more eye-catching performers of the early rounds
Hawks captain Nathan Potts said he Wellington "would be there at the end of the season"
Wellington players celebrate a try against Orange Hawks
Picture by Dominic UnwinWe'll get a real indication of both sides' quality next weekend
Bathurst St Pat's could be counting the cost of their match against Parkes Spacemen for some time
Having already lost recruit Riley Cheshire to a torn meniscus in round one
halfback Tyler Colley was carried off after suffering a knee injury
They were also missing Pone Tongia due to a wedding in Samoa and they felt the effect
Dwyer would no doubt have enjoyed checking the result from his overseas sojourn in Bali
Bathurst Panthers may have been terribly disappointing at Dubbo on Sunday
but newcomer Grant Garvey was one bright spot
A former under 20s Origin hooker who made one appearance for the Roosters in 2016
Garvey was smart around dummy half while his kicking game was also impressive before he
His signing adds to the number of players with top-level experience in the Peter McDonald Premiership
Justin Carney's arrival at Macquarie means there are two ex-NRL players - the other being Shane Rodney at Hawks - coaching PMP sides in 2025
Jack Buchanan and Vincent Leuluai all playing alongside a host of players with NSW Cup and Queensland Cup experience
Hawks signing Philimon Kimisive is also a former Papua New Guinea representative
No wonder why many involved in the PMP think it could become the best competition in the bush
Bathurst Panthers made the headlines ahead of round two when they confirmed the signings of Grant Garvey and Willie Baker
but there have been some other interesting names to pop up so far this season
Willie Baker (left) and Grant Garvey made thier Bathursrt Panthers debuts on Sunday
Picture by Nick GuthrieYoung prop Junior Fifita made his debut for St Pat's on Sunday while another was Mason Williams
who appeared off the bench for Macquarie on Sunday
Williams has spent a number of years at Wellington
while there was also one lone season with the Nyngan Tigers
Williams could prove a valuable addition for the Raiders
Nyngan Tigers 42 defeated Lithgow Workies Wolves 12
Dubbo CYMS 62 defeated Bathurst Panthers 6
Mudgee Dragons 28 defeated Macquarie Raiders 14
Parkes Spacemen 30 defeated Bathurst St Pat's 26
Wellington Cowboys 26 defeated Orange Hawks 20
Nick GuthrieSenior sport journalist - WesternI started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior sport journalist for Western NSW. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst and everywhere in between. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBut sometimes, amid the noise, one issue stands out as the tipping point. For the Liberal Party in 2025, that issue was nuclear energy
and someone who wants the Liberal Party to win
The nuclear policy wasn't just a distraction
it was a political liability that shifted marginal voters
We must be honest about that if we want to rebuild
surveying over 5000 voters in 12 marginal electorates
found that 50.6 per cent of undecided voters were less likely to vote for the Coalition because of the nuclear policy
Just 31.6 per cent said it made them more likely
the same research showed that if the Coalition dropped its nuclear plan
it would have increased its primary vote by 2.8 per cent
it's the difference between forming government and falling short
It was plain to see that pushing nuclear energy wasn't going to help Peter Dutton's cause
Pictuyre Getty ImagesA RedBridge poll on the easter weekend found the same
Kos Samaras' analysis is correct: "[Labor have] successfully been able to basically build a narrative that Peter Dutton is going to build these nuclear reactors with money that he's going to harvest via cuts ..."
What senior members of the party need to understand is
voters unequivocally rejected the nuclear policy
The lack of clarity turned a hypothetical energy debate into countless localised fear campaigns
People didn't hear "zero emissions baseload." They heard "reactor in your suburb." And when asked for detail, Coalition spokespeople offered little more than deflections
The nuclear policy is more than just bad politics
and handed control to bureaucrats and regulators
The party of Howard and Costello prided itself on fiscal responsibility
At the very moment we were criticising Labor's spending
we proposed one of the most expensive infrastructure interventions in a generation
And all of this was while we opposed middle-income tax cuts
the Coalition had real opportunities: inflation
These are the issues that keep families awake at night
speculative policy with limited popular support; a small
Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull
called the policy "Trump-like" and "a really bad idea." "No private sector energy company would contemplate undertaking nuclear generation in Australia," he said bluntly
Even Queensland Liberal Premier David Crisafulli has made it clear that nuclear energy had no place in his state's energy future
and Victorian Liberal leader Brad Battin has consistently distanced himself from the policy
And this election showed clearly that we did not bring voters with us
We didn't lose because we weren't ideological enough
unpopular energy plan during a cost-of-living crisis and expected voters to trust us
The Liberal Party must look and sound like a credible and centrist party of government
That means offering policies that are grounded
not ones that feel like back-of-the-envelope press releases
I'm personally not opposed to nuclear power in principle
But the unfortunate reality is that it is politically toxic
And it helped Labor change the topic away from their own failings
saying he is waiting for all the votes to be counted
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMr Farraway addressed his supporters in Bathurst at 9.45pm on Saturday night, around the same time incumbent Andrew Gee was declaring victory over at his election night headquarters in Orange
Despite his rival's claim, Mr Farraway said there will not be a result in Calare on election night
citing the large number of pre-poll votes that are still to be counted
Nationals senator Ross Cadell had said the party was "out-performing what we've done on the day by about eight per cent" when it comes to pre-poll votes
we don't really have a result tonight and we don't have a result because 52 per cent of the voters in Calare have pre-polled
so over half of the electorate has voted early," Mr Farraway said
"Those votes are going to take time to count
Nationals candidate Sam Farraway in Bathurst on election night
Picture by Rachel ChamberlainHe said he suspected it would take "a couple of days" to finish the count and determine the result
"I said from the very beginning that this was a huge contest in Calare and that is good for democracy
they've had a real contest in our electorate and our region
and what will come from it is it will come down to preferences," he said
It was always going to come down to preferences
but I suspect the seat will come down to the wire
I am going to wait until every single vote is counted
I think every candidate that ran in this election should do the same
because let's see what ends up in the final wash."
the two-partied preferred count has Mr Gee with over 57 per cent of the vote
The Australian Electoral Commission's virtual tally room shows that votes cast at multiple pre-poll centres
including the Bathurst Girl Guides Hall and the St Barnabas Parish Hall in Orange
I have been a journalist at the Western Advocate since 2014.
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIn a social media post on Sunday
admitted his chances of winning were unlikely
The party had been hoping the pre-poll votes
which were largely uncounted on Saturday night
would enable it to close the gap to incumbent and ex-Nationals member Andrew Gee
"With just over 80 per cent of the primary vote counted
my lead in first preferences is now just over 6000 votes
and I have fallen behind on preferences," Mr Farraway said
"It's unlikely there are enough remaining votes to regain the lead
"I want to congratulate Andrew Gee on a result that will see him retain the seat of Calare."
Sam Farraway pictured with some of his supporters on election day on May 3, 2025. Picture by Rachel ChamberlainThe apparent win means a fourth consecutive federal term for Mr Gee
who has been the Calare MP since the 2016 election
His first three federal elections were won as a Nationals candidate, but just seven months into his third term, Mr Gee quit the party in dramatic fashion following the Voice referendum
He served the remainder of his third term as an independent
It was unknown how he would perform at the May 3
given Calare has long been considered a Nationals safe seat and his strength as an independent was untested
the two-partied preferred count had Mr Gee with 56.3 per cent of the vote
Mr Farraway's political future is uncertain after he resigned as a state MLC in 2024 to focus on the Calare campaign
he thanked his family and supporters and promised to find new ways to contribute to his community
and while this isn't the result we hoped for after such a long and hard-fought campaign
I'm incredibly grateful," Mr Farraway said
"I stood for election because I believed Calare should be part of the Liberals and Nationals in government across Australia
the nation chose a different direction last night
"My heart will always be in fighting for our region - to ensure we receive not just what we're given
I look forward to finding new ways to contribute to our community."
Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOSStar New Zealand goalshooter Grace Nweke has produced yet another dazzling display to help lead the NSW Swifts to a 71-63 win over the Queensland Thunderbirds at Ken Rosewall Arena
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueScores were level at half-time of Sunday's Super Netball match
but the Swifts broke the contest open with a 23-13 third quarter to improve their season record to a perfect 4-0
The 23-year-old shot 148 goals across her first three games for the Swifts
"I'm learning on the job and really enjoying it," Nweke told Fox Sports
I think it's a pretty standard game for me
Just wanting to be a bit better in that regard
"I feel like I was available to the ball and pretty accurate with my shots
Nweke has been working on her movement in order to become a more complete player
"I'm not wanting to be a one-trick pony," she said
"I want to be able to diversify my skill sets
and know that in moments where I need to change up what I'm doing
Swifts wing attack Paige Hadley was also a powerhouse
earning player of the match honours for her 32 feeds and just one turnover
"I was just so in the moment," Hadley said
I'm really proud of the girls in that third quarter
Firebirds goalshooter Mary Cholhok led the way for the visitors with 42 goals from 50 attempts
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDescribed as a "David and Goliath" sized battle
Mr Gee said the result exceeded his "wildest expectations."
"I am extraordinarily humbled by this result and grateful for the trust that the communities of Calare have put in me to serve as their federal member for the next three years," he said
"Serving the people of Calare is the honour of my life."
with more than 53 per cent of votes counted
The independent politician stunningly quit The National Party in 2022 over differing views regarding the failed Voice referendum
he said despite having a "fraction" of the personnel and funding of other candidates
"There's been a lot of chirp on the booths
but I want to say thank you for the dignified way you've all conducted yourselves," he said
"Like all campaigns we've had our ups and downs
Whenever something has happened and when things were looking grim
Andrew Gee, surrounded by supporters, declared victory for the seat of Calare on Saturday night. Picture by Riley KrauseOn the same night Mr Gee declared victory
Nationals candidate Sam Farraway told his supporters in Bathurst that no result should be declared yet
"We don't yet have a result tonight and we don't have a result because 52 per cent of the voters in Calare have pre-polled
"I suspect we're going to be counting for a couple of days to determine what the results will be."
declared victory for the seat of Calare on Saturday night
Picture by Riley KrauseAmong the dozens of supporters to celebrate alongside Mr Gee at the Orange City Bowling Club included a spattering of Eugowra locals
One of whom told the now four-time Calare member that "together
"Tomorrow the work of fighting and delivering for our region continues," Mr Gee vowed
I am a senior journalist for ACM in the Central West. I cover council, human interest, and crime. Email me at riley.krause@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Photo: Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOSStar goalshooter Sophie Garbin has produced a match-winning display to ensure the Melbourne Vixens maintained full bragging rights over the Melbourne Mavericks with a 67-59 Super Netball win
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueGarbin nailed 45 goals from 52 shots and Kiera Austin chipped in with 16 goals and three Super Shots to ensure the Vixens improved their head-to-head record against the Mavericks to 3-0
it squared up the Vixens' season record at 2-2
helping to make up for last week's 10-goal home loss to the West Coast Fever
"I thought everyone did an amazing job," Garbin told Fox Sports after Sunday's match at John Cain Arena
we've probably been focusing a bit too much on trying to change and have a bit of variety
and we got to the grand final last year doing that
having our own individual strengths and working to them
"We know we've got a really tough month coming up with the Swifts
but getting the win today was the start of it."
(Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said a win over the team's cross-town rivals was always significant
"It's a rivalry that's growing," McKinnis said
"We don't want to get beaten by the Mavericks
You know that's something they really want
"They fought really hard and they were going for it out there today."
"That's Sophie at her best - when she's demanding that ball in that circle
and sometimes you'll hear her screaming for it," McKinnis said
and when she's positioned and takes that on
The Mavericks are now 1-3 and face a battle to work their way back into the finals mix
The Mavericks' Shimona Jok was a handful for her rivals
(Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)The opening quarter was an even affair
with the Vixens just doing enough to take a 16-15 lead into the first break
It was late in the second quarter when the Vixens flexed their muscles
The Mavericks trailed by just three goals entering the five-minute Super Shot period
but two long-range bombs from Austin helped inspire a 9-3 run to give the Vixens a 35-26 lead at half-time
Although star Mavericks goalshooter Shimona Jok (43 goals from 47 attempts) was proving hard to stop
Vixens duo Garbin and Austin were just as lethal at the other end
The lead swelled to 13 by late in the third quarter
with the Mavericks unable to launch any meaningful fightback
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Photo: Sarah Rhodes/AAP PHOTOSCome down for air
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueLong admired for its fresh air
the island state has been officially recognised for its sustainability credentials
The city of Launceston has been named the national winner of Keep Australia Beautiful's Tidy Towns Award
The honour recognises sustainability efforts in regional and rural Australia
environmental innovation and community engagement
Launceston has been lauded for its environmental and social works
(Sarah Rhodes/AAP PHOTOS)Launceston was announced the winner at a ceremony in Beechworth
"This award isn't just about one town - it's a celebration of every community working to build a cleaner
kinder future and we're proud to support that mission," Keep Australia Beautiful's chief executive Val Southam said
the Tidy Towns Awards show the best of regional Australia - not just in sustainability but in spirit
"These winners show that when locals come together with purpose
Ikuntji in the Northern Territory and the Pilbara towns of Port Hedland and South Hedland in Western Australia were the other finalists
Launceston's Rocherlea Action Project was singled out for its community work
1.7 tonnes of waste and three tonnes of scrap metal from the region
The volunteer group brings residents together for regular clean-up days
barbecue breakfasts and children's activities to foster connection
Launceston has previously been named Australia's town of the year and most livable regional city
(Sarah Rhodes/AAP PHOTOS)More than 4000 volunteers were involved in community environmental
heritage and cultural projects across the six finalist cities and towns
"Regional towns are stepping up in powerful ways," Ms Southam said
"They're not just protecting their environments - they're showing what's possible when resilience
purpose and local leadership come together for a better future."
During earlier rounds of Tidy Towns voting
mayor Matthew Garwood hailed the recognition of Launceston's environmental and social initiatives as an "incredible honour"
"This Council is committed to doing whatever we can to help ensure our beautiful region is protected now and into the future," he said
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated staff who've worked so hard to make these projects what they are and Keep Australia Beautiful for recognising us in this way."
handing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese an increased majority in parliament
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAfter a fairly sedate five-week campaign in which the major parties focused heavily on voters' hip pockets, the great democracy sausage is over
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has lost his seat - the first opposition leader ever to do so - and the Liberal party has bled support
Enough voters in marginal electorates in Melbourne, Sydney and Tasmania sided with Labor to hand it victory
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during breakfast TV interviews at the MCG on May 3 federal election day
Picture AAP/Lukas CochIn an overwhelmingly positive victory speech
Albo!" that the Australian people have voted for "Australian values
"In this time of global uncertainty
Australians have chosen optimism and determination
Australians have chosen to face global challenges the Australian way
looking after each other and building for the future," he said
"A majority Labor government promised and delivered!"
He paid tribute to the many voters he said had voted Labor for the first time, and said he would not take their vote for granted.
"We take up this task with new hope and new confidence
with no one held back and no one left behind," he said
Roughly 18 million voters cast their ballot in the 2025 election - about half of them before polling day
more than one-third were Gen Z or Millennials
Despite a declining primary vote for the major parties over the past two decades Labor will form a majority government and increase its presence from the notional 78 seats it held in parliament's lower house before the election
Mr Dutton called Mr Albanese and then publicly conceded defeat
"We didn't do very well and I accept full responsibility for that," he said
"I said to the prime minister that his mum should be very proud and he should be very proud."
it was already looking good for Labor and independent candidates
the former up 2.6 per cent from 2022 and the latter up 1.8 per cent
While the Nationals were down very marginally
down almost three per cent across the country
Mr Dutton will lose his seat of Dickson in outer suburban Brisbane to Labor's Ali France
he was trailing 41 per cent to 59 per cent on a two party preferred basis
the Liberals will not win a single Tasmanian lower house seat this election
Liberal MP Bridget Archer will lose to Labor's Jess Teesdale in Bass
Labor's Anne Urquhart will take back the safe Liberal seat of Braddon from the Coalition
In Wannon in south-west Victoria it was looking less likely Climate 200-backed independent Alex Dyson would boot out Liberal MP Dan Tehan
but the independent in Bradfield on Sydney's north shore is set to take the seat from the Liberals
Cowper on the NSW mid north coast was expected on pre-election polling numbers to be picked up by Caz Heise
with sitting Nationals MP Pat Conaghan leading
ex-Nationals-turned independent MP Andrew Gee looked set to retain the seat
despite a concerted campaign from the the Nationals and independent Kate Hook
entered parliament as the member for the inner-Sydney seat of Grayndler in 1996
"It's my local booth; if we don't win this booth we're in real trouble," Mr Albanese said
Mr Albanese has been prime minister since 2022 when Labor returned to power after nine years in opposition on the back of Scott Morrison's deep unpopularity
That election also ushered in a surge in independent so-called "teals" and an increased vote for the Greens
the Labor government has navigated its way through a cost of living and housing affordability crisis
and a war in Gaza with global and local ramifications
Labor legislated a net zero emissions target and doggedly pursued renewable energy while extending the life of some coal mines
More recently, it joined with the opposition to controversially ban social media for children under 16
Since President Donald Trump came to power
the government has also contended with fluctuating US trade and tariff policies with the potential to affect Australian steel
The biggest failure in Mr Albanese's first term as prime minister was marked by Australians voting against a Voice to Parliament for Indigenous people in a referendum
He also came under fire when he bought a $4.3 million cliff top holiday home in Copacabana in 2024 while many Australians struggled to pay their rent or mortgage
Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon plan to marry in this term of parliament
after he and former NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt divorced in 2019
Labor has promised an $8.5 billion package to expand bulk billing and a free, nationwide 24/7 health advice line backed by Medicare
It's pledged to build more Medicare urgent care clinics
and cap most Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-listed medicines
it plans to allow five per cent deposits and to use a $10 billion fund to build up to 100,000 homes for them
This government says it will extend $150 energy rebates for all households until the end of 2025
and roll out modest tax cuts in the coming two years
It also wants to offer $4000 off the cost of household batteries and is pledging to get the electricity grid to 82 per cent renewable by 2030
Saffron is a journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years experience covering news. Get in touch: saffron.howden@austcommunitymedia.com.au
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAt the public-facing end of the great apparatus of democracy is a lot of cardboard
cocooned in brown cardboard walls and contributing to the decision that can decide the whole fate and future of the nation
Picture by Keegan CarrollThe sausage sizzle is first encountered as an olfactory experience
my day began by voting at Old Parliament House
But it did not truly begin until I had a democracy sausage prepared by the Tuggeranong Rotary Club in my hand ($4)
this sausage sizzle came equipped with serving trays to transport bread to barbecue and back again formed from what appeared to be sections of PVC pipe
a sausage after voting is just the ticket at Old Parliament House on Saturday
Picture by Jasper LindellThe sausage was a lightly browned and a little fatty
The spread of condiments was particularly commendable
it felt right to start the day with tomato sauce
Most Australians' engagements with democracy sausages would have ceased here
waiting to see candidates cast their ballots for the cameras
I was outfitted with an absolutely excellent sausage - the best in class all day when it came to meat - in brown bread ($4)
The choice between white and brown was mine
The onion here had spent more time on the barbecue and as a result was more of a caramelised affair
Picture by Jasper LindellThere is a window of success when it comes to barbecued onions
Too much time on the barbecue and they become miserable
blackened remains that have no right to sit between sausage and bread
Not enough time on the barbecue and you're left with tepid
with no right to sit between sausage and bread
the British brown sauce that was named for Houses of Parliament
Although it wasn't the traditional tomato sauce
given Australia's cultural inheritance and adoption of the Westminster system
HP Sauce was fitting - tangier and certainly sharper than the more subtly sweet tomato
This put the versatility of the sausage sandwich to work: the bread serves as a holding device and companion to the sausage
Ngunnawal's democracy sausage on Saturday
Picture by Jasper LindellAt Ngunnawal Primary School
the democracy sausages were particularly tasty ($3.50)
Some of the onion was blackened but not irredeemably so; it added just the right hint of crunch
I also have to thank the "kind man" at Amaroo School - unnamed
as so many heroes are - who reportedly brought more sausages back from the supermarket after a run had left the sausage sizzle short
A pork sausage in white bread - there were no more onions to go around - had a faintly crispy skin ($3.50)
I returned to tomato sauce but probably should have been more adventurous with a less-than-normal sausage
Picture by Jasper LindellFood always says something about the character of those who make it and eat it
What does the democracy sausage say about us
Does our enthusiasm for this dead simple offering suggest an unadventurous spirit
I think it really says something more about our pragmatic nature
Not bloody likely - stick it in bread on a serviette
Just like the little pencils and ballot boxes that set Australia democratically ahead
Jasper Lindell joined The Canberra Times in 2018. He is a Legislative Assembly reporter, covering ACT politics and government. He also writes about development, transport, heritage, local history, literature and the arts, as well as contributing to the Times' Panorama magazine. He was previously a Sunday Canberra Times reporter.
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Actor John Lithgow gives voice to a modern day Buzz Aldrin in the iHeartPodcasts audio series \"BUZZ.\"
Apollo 11 lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin seen while on the moon inside the lunar module \"Eagle\" in July 1969
"BUZZ" tells the dramatized story of the challenges that the Apollo 11 astronaut faced both before and after the moon
Having explored the 'third rock from the sun,' John Lithgow is now heading for its moon
In the 11-episode scripted audio series debuting on May 6
Lithgow gives voice to the astronaut's thoughts as he reflects on his past
landing NASA's lunar module "Eagle" at Tranquility Base
Armstrong then took the first step onto the lunar surface
"Those words would become cemented in our culture
but they weren't my words," says Lithgow as Aldrin in "BUZZ."
"That's the story you think you know
This is the story you don't," Lithgow says
the series is described as a "riveting human drama" with Aldrin at its center
"examining the ups and downs of the Apollo 11 mission." As the podcast unfolds
listeners will hear Aldrin as he "faces his own frailties
overcomes demons he inherited through no fault of his own
repairs relationships and triumphs over addiction."
"And become a true hero — not because he conquers space
but because he conquers himself," says Lithgow
"BUZZ" also features actor Geoffrey Arend ("Body of Proof," "Madam Secretary") as the astronaut at the time of the Apollo 11 mission
'Buzz' is an immersive space drama in audio that puts the listener at the heart of the action."
— Buzz Aldrin: The second man on the moon
— The Apollo Program: How NASA sent astronauts to the moon
— Apollo 11: First men on the moon
Although Aldrin, now 95, was not involved in this podcast, he has written and talked extensively about the personal challenges he faced before and after flying to the moon. He published four memoirs between 1973 and 2016
each providing insight into the pressure that he felt from his parents
his interactions with his fellow astronauts
his failed marriages and his recovery from alcoholism
"BUZZ marks an exciting step forward in our partnership with Thoroughbred Studios to reimagine monumental moments in American history through top-tier talent and exceptional production," said Will Pearson
"BUZZ" is produced and cast by Emma Hearn for Goldhawk Productions
It is executive produced by Jeremy Fox and Howard Stringer for Thoroughbred Studios
John Scott Dryden for Goldhawk Productions
Stephen Kronish and Jason English for iHeartPodcasts
"'BUZZ' pays homage to the original trailblazers who risked their lives to go to the moon
This is a perfect start to our partnership with iHeart," said Bewkes
Click through to collectSPACE to listen to an audio teaser for the new 'BUZZ" podcast from iHeartPodcasts and Thoroughbred Studios
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
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NASA astronauts prep ISS for new solar arrays on 5th-ever all-female spacewalk
Watch 2 NASA astronauts perform the 5th-ever all-female spacewalk today
What would it be like living on Tatooine from 'Star Wars'? This exoplanet orbiting twin suns could tell us
Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOSStar West Coast midfielder Elliot Yeo will undergo surgery in the coming days after hitting a roadblock in his recovery from a syndesmosis ankle injury
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueYeo injured his right ankle and right knee during a January training mishap that was initially only set to rule him out for the early part of the 2025 campaign
But with his ankle injury continuing to drag on and no end in sight
Yeo visited a surgeon earlier this week to be told he would require more surgery to fix the problem
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter is optimistic about Yeo's return this campaign
(Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is still optimistic Yeo will be able to return for the latter part of this season
but no definitive timeline has been set just yet
"Yeo is going to have some surgery just to remove some hardware from his ankle," McQualter said after Saturday night's 16.12 (108) to 11.10 (76) loss to Melbourne
"He'll have a couple of weeks off legs and then build and we're really confident Yeo is going to play a fair chunk of football towards the end of the season
"He'll have a few weeks to let the wound heal
"He was obviously having challenges to progress his rehab prior to this
"So I think at least he's got an answer now of what needs to happen for the next steps."
Both Harley Reid and Tim Kelly are struggling for form without Yeo there
and the Eagles sit in last spot with an 0-8 record
Their clearance numbers against Melbourne were simply alarming
with the Demons winning that stat a whopping 49-26 on the back of Max Gawn's dominance in the ruck
West Coast are hot favourites to win the wooden spoon
but they'll be hoping to ease the pressure with victory over fellow strugglers Richmond at the MCG next Sunday
"I've absolutely got an optimism," McQualter said of his future hopes for West Coast
"I've got no doubt our game's improved in the last three weeks
We just haven't been able to put it all together yet
"But I think I've been really open about it
"But we're in a rush to get better really quickly
and I'm confident our players are heavily invested."
West Coast will be without star defender Jeremy McGovern (concussion) against the Tigers
Co-captain Oscar Allen is set for another game in defence for the Eagles
(Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)It means co-captain Oscar Allen is almost certain to play in defence again for a third-straight game
"I thought he was pretty good against the Demons
really good behind the ball," McQualter said of the key forward
and had to play a bigger role when Gov went off
it looks pretty likely that Oscar will stay back."
Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOSWhen Geelong coach Chris Scott looks at Collingwood - and he examines them intensely - he can't find flaws
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueScott is renowned as a master tactician but has trouble picking apart the Pies ahead of their mouth-watering Saturday night clash at the MCG
"The teams that are towards the top end of the ladder these days
you can't have too many flaws," Scott told reporters on Friday
"So it's easy to highlight their strengths
but I can think of a few teams who are really strong in one area that maybe because of their evolution in their list build
they are quite weak in another - that makes them really vulnerable
good system - that is more the way I look at Collingwood
their experienced players are playing well."
Master tactician Chris Scott is talking up Collingwood ahead of Geelong's MCG clash with them
(Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Scott added: "When you try and assess where the competition is
Collingwood are going through a patch where things are going well for them
"I wouldn't isolate it just to (Nick) Daicos going well in the middle or (Scott) Pendlebury and (Steele) Sidebottom at the peak of their powers in their mid 30s
Craig McRae's ladder-leading Magpies boast a six-one record entering the blockbuster against the seventh-placed Cats (4-3)
And imposing Geelong defender Tom Stewart will miss the encounter after aggravating a knee injury in last week's 18-point loss to Carlton
"He had a slight injury where he missed a week about a month ago and he fell on that same knee early again in the Carlton game," Scott said
"Our medical staff say there's no serious structural damage
it was just one where he was going to be limited."
Mitch Duncan is back for his first game of the season for the Cats
(Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Veteran Mitch Duncan has been summoned for his first AFL game this season
"It was in the back of our minds that this was a possibility," Scott said
"The Stewart thing probably helped it a little bit
but I suspect that we would have done it anyway."
Collingwood have been strengthened by the returns of captain Darcy Moore
Stalwart Jeremy Howe has been managed while Dan McStay (knee) and Lachie Sullivan (omitted) will also miss
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBen Parker
and heading into winter more and more people will be forced to choose between paying the rent
What can be done to provide immediate hip-pocket relief for people being smashed at the bowser
a lot of people in Calare are doing it tough at the moment
I want to be clear that if you're worried about the cost of rent
everyone should be able to afford the basics
We should be taxing big corporations to fund the things we all need
like bringing dental and mental health into Medicare
and regulating the banks to deliver lower mortgages
Q: Albanese or Dutton - who's your preferred prime minister
BP: I would personally like to see Anthony Albanese re-elected in a minority government
The Greens want to keep Peter Dutton out and push Labor to act
we have made a guarantee that The Greens will never use our numbers to support Peter Dutton becoming Prime Minister
there's major renewables projects flagged for parts of Calare (Kerrs Creek
all of which are facing large opposition from farmers/communities in the region
what's the best way to manage large-scale solar and wind farms in our backyard
BP: Peter Dutton and the Coalition are backing expensive nuclear energy as an excuse to keep more coal and gas in the system for longer and delay action on the climate crisis
I am against the use of nuclear energy here in Australia
it is important that they go through proper approval and community consultation processes
Q: The Albanese government has hung its hat on urgent care clinics across the country
however many towns across Calare don't have any
With ED wait times still an issue across the electorate and more and more people battling to see a GP
what's the most important fix health-wise needed in Calare
We should be fully funding our healthcare system
we currently have a two-tier system where those who pay more get better care
The Greens are working to expand Medicare to include universal access to dental and mental health services
ensure no out-of-pocket costs for GP visits
and invest an additional $30.6 billion in local public hospitals nationwide
Q: House prices have risen astronomically across regional NSW in the last decade
How do we keep the Australian dream of home ownership alive in Calare
And what type of housing are we desperately in need of most
I am currently living with my parents as I cannot afford to rent or purchase a home
The Greens will tackle the housing crisis by stopping unlimited rent increases
regulating the banks to deliver lower mortgages
scrapping the tax handouts to wealthy property investors with more than two properties (including negative gearing)
and investing in a government build of good quality homes sold and rented at prices first home buyers can actually afford
Calare residents need houses that are actually affordable
Q: Rates of DV across Calare continue to rise
as reported by this masthead in the last month
While support services across the region are also in need of more support in order to combat the issue on the ground
What needs to be done to end this scourge on our society
BP: We need a plan that ends domestic and family violence
a woman dies every week as a result of family and domestic violence - this is completely unacceptable
We should fully fund the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children (2022-2032) to help those who are forced to choose between homelessness and further violence
The Greens will ensure the plan is fully funded so women seeking to flee violence can get the help they need and to invest heavily in prevention and behaviour change programs to change the attitudes that underpin violence
Q: Name five roads across the Calare electorate that are in need of funding for repairs - and what work would you like to see completed
BP: I absolutely recognise the need for safe roads in Calare - we need to make sure that we are minimising the hazards that can contribute to accidents on our local roads
we are also pushing for safe streets for pedestrians and cyclists
and we want to see more funding allocated towards accessible transport and infrastructure
Q: Mayors across the electorate are urging residents to be more water wise as dam levels dip to lows not seen in years
What's the best way to ensure Calare's water security moving toward the next drought
BP: Australia's water security is absolutely crucial for the future of our ecosystems
The Greens want to re-establish and expand the remit of the National Water Commission to regulate and safeguard our precious water resources
and invest in installing greywater recycling systems in households and community spaces to save precious water and reduce household costs
Q: What's your position on the McPhillamys Gold Project
how do we strike a balance in Calare between backing major projects that boost the economy and protecting areas of indigenous significance
BP: I am opposed to the McPhillamys Gold Project
but we cannot be doing so at the expense of the environment or areas of Indigenous significance
Q: Some candidates have dubbed the 2025 campaign the dirtiest they've seen
There's been Facebook gaffes and signs allegedly stolen
while some have owned mistakes and others haven't
can the people of Calare trust what is being published on social media pages as being a trusted voice for the region
I want to ensure that the people of Calare can trust what is being published on social media pages as being a trusted voice for the region
The Greens are pushing strongly for truth in political advertising legislation
so we can improve public trust in elections
Editor, Daily Liberal, Western Advocate, Central Western Daily
so a grassroots charity is sending a lifeline to women in country Australia grieving the loss of a child
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueConnecting Mothers In Grief
a not-for-profit started by Karen Shuster and Karol Barac
is marking Bereaved Mother's Day on May 4 and extending free support to mums across the country
Connecting Mothers In Grief founders Karol Barac and Karen Shuster
Picture supplied"Most of us don't really know what to do with ourselves on [Mother's Day]
Most of our family doesn't know what to do with us either," Ms Shuster said
"Bereaved Mother's Day is a day to honour the lives of our children and our heavy hearts," Ms Barac said
Around 200 women are involved in the charity
meeting regularly to share their complex experiences with grief and to offer friendship and understanding to other mums
and it's about holding space that there isn't out there," Ms Barac said
"Especially for the mothers in regional areas where the services are very limited," she said
Two online meetings are held by the group each month to give regional mums an opportunity to meet and chat
"Grief must be witnessed to be processed," Ms Shuster said
it's just going to keep building up in us."
Ms Shuster and Ms Barac found solace in each other when they met in 2023 through an international bereaved mothers group
"Karol's daughter died suddenly and very tragically
but our loss is very similar," Ms Shuster said
The pair found they had a unique understanding of each other through their shared experience
and to come together in a community and be able to be in each other's presence without having to explain
it normalises what we're all feeling," Ms Barac said
Ms Shuster and Ms Barac are holding a fundraiser with bereaved mother and women's advocate Rosie Batty on May 4 at Melbourne Yacht Squadron.
In addition to the bimonthly meetings, the charity is also running a free, online six-week early grief program from June.
Support is available for those who may be distressed:
Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOSHoping to be a trailblazer
sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick ranks her looming Wallaroos debut a highlight of her career
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThat's a big call for a former world sevens player of the year
World Cup winner and Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist
But so "daunting" has been the challenge of switching from sevens to 15-a-side rugby that Caslick puts making her Wallaroos debut off the bench in Saturday's season-opening Test against Fiji right up there with her greatest accomplishments
"I am really proud of myself," Caslick said on a Zoom call from Suva
"Being 30 years old and putting yourself in a new environment and out of your comfort zone is always challenging
"The way that I've gone about it was a little bit different to the other sevens girls and I did a lot of it on my own
so it's been a little bit daunting at times
"Obviously getting to the debut (in sevens) when you're 18
you probably don't appreciate the moment as much as you do when you're 30
so it's definitely up there with one of my career highlights for sure."
Reds star Caslick is among six potential debutants for the Wallaroos against Fiji
(Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)Caslick's ultimate aim is to earn a spot in the Wallaroos squad for this year's women's World Cup in England
But the Queenslander and Rio Olympics game-breaker also wants to contribute more to Australian rugby and hopes to inspire younger sevens players to try to make the leap to the 15s format
"Just watching the 15 game grow and develop
I was at a point in my career where I was really up for a challenge and something new," Caslick said
so I obviously wanted to just put the best foot forward to be a part of this squad and a Rugby World Cup would be an amazing experience
off watching the Matildas play at home and the rugby that's coming up in Australia in the upcoming years
it's super important that the sevens girls do open their minds up to being involved in this program because ultimately it just makes them better footy players and Australian rugby stronger."
coach Jo Yapp says the sevens girls have been great additions to the squad
warmly welcomed as assets rather than intruders trying to crash the World Cup party
They've literally fitted into the 15s environment so well," Yapp said
"The rest of the girls have absolutely embraced them and I think if you ask any of them how they feel
they would say that we keep checking in on them
Charlotte's been behind the laptop and it's just really exciting the energy they've brought in and it's genuinely a great opportunity to have them to create more depth."
Photo: James Gourley/AAP PHOTOSTest halfback Tate McDermott believes the appointment of his Queensland coach Les Kiss to the Wallabies' top job will help keep players in Australia
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueKiss was this week announced as the successor to current Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt
set to take over in mid-2026 following next year's Super Rugby Pacific season after he sees out the remainder of his contract with the Reds
McDermott said the appointment of the popular Kiss would be an attraction for players to remain in Australia rather than take their career off-shore
Playmaker Noah Lolesio recently admitted the uncertainty over the next Wallabies coach had been part of his decision to play in Japan
"The boys absolutely love playing under him (Kiss) and I think it's a great move from Rugby Australia so I'm really excited to see how it all pans out," McDermott said from Suva ahead of the Reds' clash with Fijian Drua
Is Reds coach Les Kiss is a bit of a "larrikin"
know and understand who's going to be in that role so 100 per cent I think it provides great clarity and
I think it's also an attraction because of how good Les is as a coach."
With New Zealander Schmidt vastly improving the Wallabies' stocks since taking over from Eddie Jones last year
McDermott felt the transition between coaches would be seamless
Kiss previously worked alongside Schmidt in the Ireland national side set-up
He said the pair were quite similar as coaches
although described his Queensland mentor as more of a "larrikin"
"They're actually pretty similar in the way they see the game
they've both got really good minds in and around how to attack teams
both great communicators to the players," McDermott said
"I'd say Joe's probably a little bit more serious
but I think the way that they see the game and the way they approach training
the way they approach games are I think very similar
"I think the transition will be seamless there and they've obviously worked with each other in the past and I'm sure they'll be communicating throughout the whole process
"It's great news to have a little bit of familiarity for the playing squad and also just Rugby Australia in general."
The Reds are currently fourth on the Super Rugby ladder while the Drua sit last but McDermott dismissed the disparity
predicting a tough encounter on Saturday in Suva where his team have lost their last two matches
Les Kiss (R) will take over from current Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt next year
(Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)"You only have to look at our past results here
"The Fijian sides are unpredictable and incredibly strong in front of home fans and we're expecting exactly the same
and they're going to be dangerous so we're going to make sure we do the fundamentals well
but we're very wary of the threat that the Fijians pose and we need to respect that and try and nullify it as best as we can."
Photo: EPA PHOTOEight and a half months after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily in a deadly accident
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Bayesian superyacht
a 473-ton vessel that was marketed as "unsinkable," sank near the small port of Porticello last August
The 56-metre yacht went down during a storm
sparking ongoing speculation about the circumstances of the disaster
Among the victims were British software billionaire Mike Lynch
two couples who were friends of the family and the ship's cook
reportedly valued in the tens of millions of dollars
was one of the largest sailing yachts in the world
Prosecutors hope the salvage will shed light on what caused the yacht to sink
The Bayesian's New Zealand captain and two other crew members are under investigation for allegedly ignoring storm warnings and abandoning passengers in the panic
investigators are also exploring whether the Italian manufacturer bears some responsibility for the vessel's failure
The yacht was built 17 years ago by the renowned Perini Navi shipyard
which has since been acquired by the publicly listed Sea Group
The vessel is some 50 metres below the surface and the complicated process of retrieving it involves some 70 specialists and a floating crane
The boat is to be brought to the surface by mid-June
Actor John Lithgow has revealed his three word response to a plea from a friend with a transgender child urging him not to take on a major role in an upcoming adaption of J.K
American actor John Lithgow has revealed why he ignored a plea from a friend with a transgender child who urged him not to take on a major role in an upcoming adaption of Harry Potter
is set to star as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry headmaster Dumbledore in the upcoming HBO adaption of British author J.K
Rowling's seven-volume fantasy series into a long-form TV show
who disputes claims her views are "transphobic"
said women's rights and "lived reality" would be "erased" if "sex isn't real" and called a list of trans women "men
Lithgow said "a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child" sent him a link to an article titled 'An open letter to John Lithgow: Please walk away from Harry Potter' before he signed his contract with the American network
Book Riot contributor Danika Ellis claimed Lithgow's casting "lends credence" to the Harry Potter adaptation and "helps to grow J.K
Rowling’s platform to further her crusade against trans people’s rights."
you’ve demonstrated your love and acceptance of the LGBTQ community...Thanks to Rowling’s actions, Harry Potter as a franchise has become synonymous with transphobia," Ellis wrote
"That’s why I’m writing to you today
asking for you to walk away from your role in Harry Potter."
Asked if the letter deterred him from signing his contract
the Conclave star told The Times of London: "Oh heavens
"That was the canary in the coal mine," he said
'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K
I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her
Lithgow said he “absolutely” did not expect to receive amount of backlash he's experienced for joining the cast as Dumbledore
The 79-year-old said his age contributed more to his decision
and the "very good winding-down role" would likely be his "last major" one
The 59-year-old took to X to post herself celebrating the court's ruling as she smoked a cigar and said
"To those celebrating the fact that I'm smoking a blunt: it's a cigar
Even if it decided to identify as a blunt for the purposes of this celebration
provably and demonstratively a cigar," she wrote
"The fact that so many UK trans activists are shrieking about injustice says it all
"You never had the rights you claim you've now lost; you had demands."
which is owned by Harry Potter distributor Warner Bros
HBO chief Casey Bloys said the author's views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff” of the Harry Potter adaption
which is set to begin filming later this year
Rowling has a right to express her personal views
We will remain focused on the development of the new series
which will only benefit from her involvement," a spokesperson for the network told Variety.
Photo: EPA PHOTOPower on Indonesia's resort island of Bali has been fully restored
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDarmawan Prasodjo
president director of state electricity firm Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN)
said early indications were that a disruption in subsea cables was the cause of outage
A power outage hit a number of regions of Bali from 4pm on Friday
said state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara
The island's airport was also impacted but inbound and outbound flight traffic continued using backup generators
the airport's general manager Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said in a statement
although several departures had experienced delays
Images shared on social media showed road traffic holdups in Bali as a result of the outage and long lines at the airport check-in counters
Power began to return a few hours after the blackout
"State utility PLN managed to restore most of the electricity supply in Bali," the spokesperson of President Prabowo Subianto
Prasetyo Hadi said in a statement after calling PLN's CEO
power connection in Bali will be fully restored tonight (Friday night)," he said
PLN prioritised restoring electricity to key infrastructure such as government offices
with 6.3 million foreign visitors in 2024 according to the island's statistics bureau
Photo: HANDOUT/NSW FIRE AND RESCUEThousands of drivers have been left stranded for hours after steel shards were scattered along one of Australia's busiest motorways
puncturing the tyres of more than 300 cars
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueA 30km section of the M1 Motorway
was closed on Friday after a truck carrying almost a tonne of metal debris spilled its contents about 5am
The shards were flung along the southbound lanes
slashing the tyres of hundreds of vehicles driven by unsuspecting motorists
The lanes reopened about 2pm after magnetic devices were used to remove embedded metal in the highway
"You imagine (750kg) of finely ground steel
which is a very sharp metal object," Transport for NSW co-ordinator-general Howard Collins told reporters on Friday
"It's not just a case of getting a road sweeper out or guys and girls with brooms
"This is the first time we've seen (an incident to) this extent ..
where a highly dangerous material of metal shards has been spread for 30 kilometres."
The tyres of small vehicles provided little resistance to the sharp metal shards
(HANDOUT/NSW FIRE AND RESCUE)Up to 380 cars may have been impacted
with light vehicles more vulnerable to the shards deflating tyres
"This is an unprecedented situation," she said
"It's like trying to hoover up the highway
"We're very lucky we haven't had a fatality."
Transport for NSW chief Howard Collins says the clean-up was not a simple operation
(Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS)One tow truck driver said she had a busy morning transporting cars to tyre repair shops
"It's been nonstop," Nicole of Central Coast Auto Recovery told AAP from the highway
"I've towed six cars by myself so far and we're taking them all to Gosford tyre shops - just lots of flat tyres."
Dozens of tow trucks were dispatched to assist more than 200 drivers
Large trucks had to wait on the M1 Motorway until the road was cleared of debris
(HANDOUT/NSW FIRE AND RESCUE)"Our patrols are able to fix (single punctures) on the side of the road," Ms Usman told AAP
"But for cars with multiple wheels damaged
it was nearly two hours (to wait) for roadside assistance or a tow truck."
Some drivers fed up with the long wait times abandoned their vehicles
but transport officials were contacting them
NSW Police Chief Inspector Thomas Barnes told reporters
Trucking company NJ Ashton Group has apologised for the spill and pledged to foot the bill for impacted drivers
Drivers of B-double trucks were advised to park until the motorway reopened
while other drivers were diverted to the old Pacific Highway
The play comes on the heels of a broader cultural conversation about Dahl's work and the prejudice that was embedded in many of his most beloved stories
Royal Court Theatre's Giant
starring two-time Tony winner John Lithgow as children's author Roald Dahl
officially opened its transfer to London's West End May 1
The Mark Rosenblatt-penned work plays a limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre
hundreds of words in the author's books were either altered or omitted from future printings in order to remove countless negative references to race
Broadway World (Cindy Marcolina)
Daily Mail (Georgina Brown)
London Theatre (Matt Wolf)
The Stage (Laurie Yule)
The Standard (Nick Curtis)
The Telegraph (Dominic Cavendish)*
Time Out (Tim Bano)
The Times (Clive Davis)*
*This review may require creating a free account or paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in
Set in 1983 when a particularly vicious public outburst of antisemitism drew public outcry against Dahl shortly before the publication of his story The Witches, Giant is directed by Nicholas Hytner. Read reviews from the earlier London run here
Lithgow is joined by Elliot Levey as Tom Maschler
and Olivier nominee Rachael Stirling (The Divine Mrs S) as Felicity Crosland
The West End production also features lighting design by Anna Watson and sound design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite
General management is by Short Street Productions Ltd
and Robyn Goodman are producing the West End run
Visit GiantThePlay.com.
The play comes on the heels of a broader cultural conversation about Dahl's work and the prejudice that was embedded in many of his most beloved stories.
Pearson will be the first disabled actor to portray Joseph Merrick on screen.
The musical will play its final performance on Broadway May 18.
The Harvey Schmidt-Tom Jones musical would go on to play over 17,000 performances at the Sullivan Street Theatre.
The play began performances April 28 at Audible's Minetta Lane Theatre.
Maltby will also direct the new revue at the Connecticut venue.
Iconis and Gregory S. Moss' The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical begins at the Virginia venue next month.
Broadway's best and brightest took to social media and the stage to share their excitement May 1.
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Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOSWestern Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge wants to move on from talking about Jamarra Ugle-Hagan after the star forward took indefinite leave from the AFL club
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe 2020 No.1 draft pick may well have played his last game for the Bulldogs
who announced this week that Ugle-Hagan will be given whatever time he needs to deal with personal issues
Ugle-Hagan had previously been working on flexible training arrangements
Beveridge on Friday refused to buy into speculation Ugle-Hagan might not feature again at AFL level
insisting he remains focused on his active playing group and a round-eight clash with Port Adelaide
"Nothing's really changed there for me," Beveridge said when asked about Ugle-Hagan being granted leave
all my energy has just gone into what we can influence and control here
"It's pleasing that hopefully there's some initiative there that's different and we hope it leads to a really good outcome
"Now that there's been a club statement and it expresses what's actually happening
we'll move away from it for a while and hope Jamarra goes really well in this period of finding himself both in life and then in the game."
Pressed on whether he is concerned Ugle-Hagan won't play another AFL game
Beveridge said: "I've answered these questions before
"I just said that there's a club statement and to respect now Jamarra's privacy and what he's going to go through
keeping the focus on this week and what's up ahead
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's absence has been a talking point throughout this season
(James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)Beveridge's immediate task is reversing the Bulldogs' trend of four straight losses to Port Adelaide when the two sides clash at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on Saturday
with the Power on a three-match winning streak
"We haven't beaten them for the last three years and there will be a slightly different (midfield) blend for them without (Travis) Boak playing and with (Connor) Rozee maybe off the half-back flank," Beveridge said
"It's pretty different personnel in both teams and we see it as a huge challenge
"We're dialled into what's expected in terms of the intensity of the game and we're looking forward to the battle."
Adam Treloar is back from injury to bolster the Dogs' midfield in his first game for the season
while Jason Johannisen will celebrate his 200-game milestone
Key defender Jedd Busslinger has held his spot after his debut in last week's win over GWS
while experienced backman Liam Jones faces a stint on the sidelines with a calf injury
Jones had been dropped to make way for Busslinger in round seven
replace Josh Dolan (managed) and Cooper Hynes (omitted) for the Bulldogs
Port Adelaide have turned to Logan Evans and Will Lorenz to replace Josh Sinn (concussion) and Christian Moraes (omitted)
Photo: AP PHOTOJohn Lithgow has admitted playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter reboot series will likely be his final major role
The 79-year-old actor has been cast as the Hogwarts headmaster in the upcoming HBO adaptation of JK Rowling's magical book series and one of the reasons why he accepted the job was because he saw it as a good way to start "winding down" his career
He told the Sunday Times' Culture magazine: "Of course
it was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play
It's an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role."
Lithgow was surprised to receive a backlash because of the project's ties to the author
who has caused controversy with her advocacy for single-sex spaces and women's rights
which have been viewed as anti-trans by some
I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her and I'm curious to talk to her."
Asked if the comments he'd received had made him have second thoughts
And after playing the late Roald Dahl in stage show Giant
Lithgow is baffled no one has questioned his association with that children's author because of his anti-Semitic comments
He said: "No one complained when I agreed to play Dahl
but I've received so many messages about JK Rowling
Lithgow confirmed his Harry Potter casting in February
I just got the phone call up at the Sundance Film Festival for yet another film
and it was not an easy decision because it's going to define me for the last chapter of my life
"Some wonderful people are turning their attention back to Harry Potter
I'll be about 87 years old at the wrap party
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Photo: AP PHOTOA power outage has hit several regions of Indonesia's resort island of Bali with efforts underway to restore services to those affected
state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara says
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe island's airport was also affected but inbound and outbound flight traffic continued
the airport's operator said on its Instagram page
State utility PLN said it was investigating the cause of the outage and working on restoring the power connection
"The recovery process is currently being carried out gradually," its spokesperson in Bali I Wayan Eka Susana said in a statement
Images shared on social media showed road traffic delays in Bali as a result of the outage and long lines at airport check-in counters
Friday's blackout comes days after a massive outage hit Spain and Portugal
plunging tens of millions of people into darkness on the Iberian peninsula
Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOSNathan Cleary has resurrected Brisbane's grand final demons by inspiring a 32-8 win that breathes life into Penrith's sputtering NRL season
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe man who orchestrated the Panthers' historic comeback win over the Broncos in the 2023 decider put in a similarly heroic performance on Sunday
this time to claw out-of-sorts Penrith from the bottom of the ladder
A 2-6 start had thrust their 2025 campaign into freefall
but before a hostile Brisbane crowd at Magic Round
the Panthers resembled their four-time premiership-winning selves more closely than at any point this year
This was vintage Penrith: Uncompromisingly physical
defensively tight and steered to victory by superstar halfback Cleary
Nathan Cleary was at his tough and brilliant best
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)Cleary put up the kick for Izack Tago to score the Panthers' first try and then nailed the 40/20 that put them in position for Luron Patea to burst past four defenders and nab their second
The superstar halfback then stepped inside on a shift to the left and danced past opposite man Adam Reynolds for the Panthers' third try
bringing back memories of the four-pointer that won the Panthers the 2023 grand final
The result was beyond doubt after a second-half double from winger Tom Jenkins
who was on the job as a disability support worker a matter of weeks ago
the Panthers did not have a single play-the-ball and were defending their line for most of that time
But Reynolds could not inspire the Broncos to points other than an equalising penalty goal in this period as the Panthers reprised their premiership-winning goal-line defence
The passage of defensive play ultimately laid the platform for victory; the Panthers scored on their first chance thereafter and never looked back
Brisbane skipper Reynolds sprayed two kicks out on the full
with Jenkins scoring directly after the second of those
Tom Jenkins scores one his two tries as his rapid NRL rise continues
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)It was the latest example of the veteran playmaker wilting before the Penrith behemoth
to whom he lost the 2021 and 2023 grand finals
Reynolds did however move past Hazem El Masri to outright second on the all-time points-scoring leaderboard with his penalty goal
But his Broncos have now lost nine of their last 10 outings against the Panthers
with the only victory in that time coming by one point
A corked quadriceps muscle meant Broncos forward Xavier Willison could not finish the game
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Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOSLes Kiss already has the Wallabies job
but he can show why in a crucial three-game away stretch for the Queensland Reds that carries huge Super Rugby Pacific title implications
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe injury-hit squad play Fijian Drua in Suva on Saturday
followed by road trips to Sydney and Canberra to face their Australian rivals
A top-four finish comes with a home quarter-final
while a top-two finish - and potentially a home run all the way to the title - is the desirable but unlikely outcome given the Crusaders and Chiefs are 10 points clear of Kiss's side in equal first
two points behind the ACT Brumbies but with a game in hand
the Reds have a five-point buffer on the fifth-placed Hurricanes
who the Reds host in the penultimate round
Kiss was confirmed as the next Wallabies coach on Wednesday
set to replace Joe Schmidt at the conclusion of next year's Super Rugby season
who will take over as Wallabies coach next year
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)He has got the Reds to this point despite a revolving door in his medical room
in which seven capped Wallabies currently reside
Matt Faessler (hamstring) and Josh Flook (hamstring) are all unlikely to play again this season
although utility back Filipo Daugunu and inspirational No.8 and Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson are due to return before finals
absolutely," Queensland Rugby Union chief executive David Hanham said of the desire to win a title before Kiss departs
we would have struggled with that lack of depth and closing out games
"One of Les's philosophies right at the beginning was closing the gap (between the club's academy and top-end talent)
Dre Pakeho and Massimo De Lutiis this year ..
because we've needed it with the attrition of players."
The Reds' extensive injury list includes inspirational No.8 Harry Wilson (centre)
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)Kiss has strategically opted to bench in-form flyhalf Tom Lynagh and place his faith in Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in Suva
He will also rotate his tight five and bring in locks Ryan Smith and Angus Blyth to start
"It's a tricky game (the Drua) for every team ..
but Les hasn't let those matters get into the heads of players," Hanham said
"There's a level of confidence and stability
"(We were) playing against All Blacks (in the Blues team last week) and we weren't talking about the differential in their skill versus ours
"It's a bit like what the Crusaders did - no matter who left
Ken Hinkley has plenty of work to do before taking on the Crows
Photo: Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOSPort Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley intends to dig deep for answers to his side's second capitulation of the AFL season
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAfter three straight wins
the Power (4-4) were brought crashing back to earth in a 20.11 (131) to 5.11 (41) thrashing from the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat on Saturday
Hinkley's men were belted 49-35 in clearances and conceded 18 goals to three after quarter-time in a performance as uncompetitive as their round-one loss to Collingwood
"A game like that you have to have a really close look
They've been pretty resilient and been able to bounce back when it's been against them before
"We're going to have to expect the same again this week."
Star midfielder Zak Butters helped Port make a bright start at Mars Stadium but they were quickly overpowered by a Bulldogs outfit led by ruckman Tim English
Tom Liberatore limited Butters' influence after quarter-time and the Dogs ran riot
They booted six goals to one in the second quarter and dominated the Power with seven goals to two when kicking into a strong breeze in the third term
"We gave ourselves a chance for the first 40 minutes but they went three gears above us and we weren't able to catch back up to them," Hinkley said
they looked like a far better team and were able to score heavily into the breeze."
Hinkley conceded his players were left nursing injuries "upstairs more than anywhere"
But he doesn't expect many problems in getting his players up for a clash with crosstown rivals Adelaide in round nine
"The positive for us is there's a Showdown coming next week and that will certainly help us get our heads into the battle pretty quickly," Hinkley said
"We don't have to do too much hard work to get this team up in this competition
"They all look forward to the opportunity to play every week
"Sometimes you put your best foot forward and you're proud of your performance but today was a day where we certainly weren't proud of our performance."
Willie Rioli was Port's only multiple goal-kicker against the Bulldogs but faces scrutiny over a high shot on Bailey Dale in an off-the-ball incident
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe importance of certain markers has been obvious in the moment; the significance of others became clear in retrospect. Here is a recap of a few of those that have shaped this campaign and its battle for votes.
Why start here? Because this was the Prime Minister jumping out of the blocks at the start of January, with multiple announcements over the summer. Albanese laid down policy groundwork in these weeks, giving voters time to absorb the initiatives.
In contrast, Peter Dutton, although he had a "soft" launch on January 12, was running slowly, believing voters weren't yet paying attention.
January 21 unleashed a tsunami; its waves would wash over the coming months, and profoundly affect the election. At first, the Coalition thought - wrongly - that the election of Trump would favour it, but Labor became the beneficiary. Many Australians (including Dutton) were appalled at the way Trump and Vice President JD Vance treated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. Later, Trump's tariffs hit Australia (although not as hard as many countries).
Dutton argued he'd be better able than Albanese to handle the capricious president, but it became a spurious debate. Labor painted Dutton as Trump-lite and some of his decisions played into its hands, notably appointing in late January Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to a Musk-like role to pursue efficiencies in government. She later made the comparison even more obvious by saying the Coalition would "make Australia great again".
But the central factor was this: suddenly, the world had become more uncertain and many voters would think it wasn't the time to change.
The amount was modest, 25 basis points, but the psychology was the thing. The cut reinforced Treasurer Jim Chalmers' argument that the worst was over and the outlook was positive. In the campaign's final week, just at the right time for the government, inflation figures pointed to another expected cut in May.
Albanese appeared set to call an April 12 poll, when the approaching winds blew the plan off course. The Prime Minister was able to put himself at the middle of the response to the cyclone, projecting himself as a national leader as distinct from a partisan one; he appeared with Queensland LNP Premier David Crisafulli, and at the Canberra National Situation Room.
The election delay meant Labor had to bring down the March 25 budget. Many in the government had wanted to avoid a budget, because of its deficits into the distance. But the budget became a useful frame for the start of the formal campaign, with Albanese going to Government House at the end of budget week.
The Opposition Leader's reply contained his proposal to cut petrol excise but did not include tax cuts. The opposition had already voted against the government's budget tax cut package, and committed to repealing it.
The excise move was popular - Dutton would visit countless service stations over coming weeks - but the government was able to say a Coalition government would raise taxes.
It's been an eventful five weeks. Pictures AAP, ShutterstockAt his campaign launch subsequently, Dutton promised a $1200 tax offset, despite earlier flagging he would not be able to announce any income tax relief during the campaign. The tax offset was an attempt to rectify what had been the mistake of thinking that the Coalition - traditionally committed to lower taxes - could go to the election on the wrong side of the tax argument.
The opposition policy to get public servants back into the office all week was a disaster-in-the-making from the start. Workers in the private sector would, rightly, see it as sending a signal to non-government employers.
Women hated the policy, and it would further alienate the female vote. Dutton had to ditch the idea and apologise. Finance spokeswoman Jane Hume didn't help the retreat by saying it was a good policy that hadn't found its appropriate time.
The story appeared on the respected military site Janes, and Dutton rushed to pick it up, but went off half-cocked, declaring wrongly that the Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto had announced the Russian request. It was symptomatic of Dutton being under-prepared. He had to make another admission of error.
This led to Dutton launching into "culture wars" in the final days of the campaign. In criticising the disruption, he at first said, "We have a proud Indigenous heritage in this country and we should be proud to celebrate it as part of today".
Subsequently he said most veterans didn't want the welcome to country as part of the Anzac Day ceremonies, although it was a matter for the organisers. In general, he believed welcome to country ceremonies were used too frequently.
Dutton segued the controversy back to criticism of the Voice, and seized on confusing remarks by Foreign Minister Penny Wong to claim Labor was still committed to bringing in a Voice, something Albanese flatly denied.
In the last of the four debates neither leader could specify the cost of a dozen eggs. Dutton was way out ($4.20); Albanese rather closer ("$7, if you can find them.". It was a small moment but sent the message that even in a cost-of-living election, the leaders do live in bubbles.
Almost at the road's end, the Opposition Leader appealed to voters to overlook a flawed campaign. "This election really is a referendum not about the election campaign but about the last three years."
Asked if there was anything he could have done differently, he said "we should have called out Labor's lies earlier on".
It was as though he was speaking to a postmortem, while praying for a miracle.
with huge resources being thrown into independent campaigns and a voter trend away from the major parties
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAt least three regional electorates in NSW and Victoria could be picked up by independents - two of them supported by Climate 200 and the Regional Voices Fund
This would swell the number of so-called "teals" in parliament - and potentially force Labor or the Coalition to negotiate a way to governing with a minority
Independent candidates in the 2025 federal election
Pictures Climate 200So how do hung parliaments work
What might Australia's 48th parliament look like
Labor in effect holds 78 seats in the House of Representatives where government is formed
and Queensland's LNP the Coalition in effect has 57 seats
A party needs at least 76 seats to govern in its own right
and Bob Katter's single-MP party and the Centre Alliance have one each
While the major parties are scrambling to pick up one another's marginal seats in Sydney and Melbourne - and hack away at support for Greens' and independent MPs in the cities - other political forces are capitalising on voter dissatisfaction with Australia's long-standing two party system
The primary vote for major parties has been dropping steadily for well over a decade and this has accelerated in recent years
In 2007 a little over 85 per cent of the Australian electorate voted for either Labor or the Coalition first
That had declined to just 68 per cent by 2022
one in three voters was putting number "1" in the box for someone other than a major party
the Greens vote nationally has risen from 7.8 per cent to 12.3 per cent
and support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation has grown to nearly five per cent of first preferences
The teal movement has also gained traction - and heavy financial backing
mainly through fundraising vehicle Climate 200
convened by businessman and philanthropist Simon Holmes à Court
In the wake of Cathy McGowan's success (she wrested the Victorian regional electorate of Indi from the Liberals back in 2013) the independent trickle became a gush
Rebekha Sharkie won South Australia's rural seat of Mayo in 2016 through Nick Xenophon's party
Dr Kerryn Phelps briefly held former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's eastern suburbs Sydney seat after a by-election in 2018
Zali Steggall ousted another former prime minister
from Warringah in Sydney the next year and Dr Helen Haines was elected in Indi after Ms McGowan retired
By the 2022 election the Liberal party had been booted from Mackellar and Wentworth (again) in Sydney
David Pocock was elected to the Senate for the ACT the same year
the Greens increased their lower house numbers to four
remains in parliament for the electorate of Clark on a 20.8 per cent margin
In the three years since voters last went to the federal polls
Climate 200 got organised and attracted even more serious money
according to the Australian Electoral Commission
This election it's helping fund 35 candidates across the country
The Regional Voices Fund has been established to help bankroll specifically regional and rural independents and it's supporting 17 of those
most of whom are also backed by Climate 200
Now there's the women candidate-focused Vida Fund which is funnelling money to 12 independents
these candidates now have the resources of a major party behind them without being tied to a party line
With funding they've been able to run big billboard advertisements
consult communications and political experts
The "teals" in the existing parliament have generally worked together
drawn by shared goals of science-based action on climate change
Most of the well-funded independent candidates are unlikely to win the seats they're contesting in the 2025 election
Dr Monique Ryan in Melbourne's affluent Kooyong holds her seat by just 2.2 per cent
Kate Chaney in Perth's Curtin has an even slimmer margin of 1.3 per cent and the Liberals have been flat out trying to win back former foreign minister Julie Bishop's seat
Dr Sophie Scamps in Mackellar (NSW) and Zoe Daniel in Goldstein (Victoria) are both working on margins of 3.3 per cent
Out in central west NSW Kate Hook is again vying for the 32,600 square kilometre electorate of Calare
where she picked up 20.4 per cent of the primary vote in 2022
Pre-election YouGov polling gives this seat to Nationals-turned independent in Andrew Gee
who quit the party over its opposition to the Voice to Parliament
He and Ms Hook are up against The Nationals' Sam Farraway
Mount Canobolas and vineyard near Orange in NSW
one of the main towns in the federal electorate of Calare
Picture by Carla FreedmanEnergy is a hot topic here
where the Coalition promises to house one of its seven controversial nuclear reactors if it wins the election and there are pockets of fierce opposition to wind farms
YouGov polling puts Alex Dyson in the winning position in Wannon in south-west Victoria
a seat Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan has held for 15 years
picked up nearly 20 per cent of the primary vote in 2022 when he ran
while Mr Tehan's support slipped by 6.6 per cent
The other distinct win for the independents could be in Cowper which stretches along the NSW mid north coast from Coffs Harbour in the north to Port Macquarie in the south
Sitting Nationals MP Pat Conaghan holds the seat on a 2.4 per cent margin and last election 26 per cent of Cowper voters gave Climate 200-backed independent Caz Heise their first preference
YouGov polling in the final week of the campaign had the nurse and health administrator winning the seat
If some city Labor seats fall to the Coalition in the suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney where the Liberal party and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have been campaigning hard
both the major parties could end up with fewer than the magic 76 seats to form government
For 17 days after the election three rural
former Nationals independents - Rob Oakeshott
Tony Windsor and Bob Katter - negotiated with Labor leader Julia Gillard and Liberal leader Tony Abbott to determine which party would govern
It was the first hung parliament in Australia since World War II - and the first time the lower house had a Greens MP in the form of Adam Bandt
Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott joined with Mr Wilkie and sided with Labor
Ms Gillard oversaw a huge number of laws passed - 570 bills
In a hung parliament there is no handy guidebook. Australia's Constitution provides no rules and it is instead determined by convention
constitutional law expert Anne Twomey said
they will resign quickly to avoid reputational damage
"Where there's a hung parliament then there is a choice as to what the prime minister does," the University of Sydney professor emerita said
"Normally the prime minister will stay in office in a caretaker capacity [to] keep the show running."
Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott meet for the first time at Parliament House on August 24
the crossbenchers would negotiate with both major parties to get commitments for their policy priorities in return for guaranteeing supply and confidence
If it became clear the prime minister did not have the support of the crossbenchers and
One thing is that the prime minister can just stay on and face parliament if there are doubts as to how people are going to vote - because maybe a group is going to fall apart
and you want to leave it to parliament to decide on the floor," she said
the parliament could technically decide it had no confidence in the prime minister and opt to support the opposition leader and party
"The prime minister then has to resign and
there's very good grounds for the Governor-General to sack them
Internal Labor polling reported by news.com.au suggests the party is planning for as few as 72 seats and as many as 78
But the party is expecting some electorates to change hands on both sides
could be in a very powerful position to help decide what Australia looks like for the next three years and in the future
Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOSWarriors coach Andrew Webster joked he needed a heart transplant after North Queensland's pulsating comeback fell short in a Magic Round classic
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Warriors won 30-26 on Saturday in Brisbane after leading 30-12 with 25 minutes to play
victory their sixth in seven games to push them to an equal-best start in club history at 6-2
The Cowboys scored three tries in seven minutes - they had a fourth denied two minutes later - and seemed destined to surge home on a wet night at Suncorp Stadium in front of 49,512 fans
who had dominated with two tries and two line breaks in the first half
came up with the try-saving tackle on a flying Murray Taulagi that halted momentum and the Warriors hung on
I need a heart transplant," the Warriors coach said
hung in there (after) making it so hard for ourselves when the Cows were so good in the second half."
Former Cronulla playmaker Metcalf's first-half clinic had the Warriors on track for a cruisy win
the halfback scoring twice and running for 111 metres
Halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita was equally as damaging with two try assists and a four-pointer of his own
before Adam Pompey's 80m intercept try from a regrettable Jake Clifford pass made it 28-12 at the break
Three Cowboys tries got them back within a score with 18 minutes still to play
Taulagi contorting himself superbly to score the second and Jeremiah Nanai producing a huge hit to spark his side
flourishing in the shadows of Shaun Johnson's retirement
the 6-2 record only matched by their 2018 start as the best since their 1995 inception
"I think he's proved that (he can manage a game) now and it's time to play a bit of footy," Webster said
"And halfback's aren't renowned for that (defence)
The Warriors will move up to third at worst once the festivities conclude in Brisbane on Sunday
That's despite their off-colour start in a poor loss to Canberra in Las Vegas's opening round and Johnson's exit after a 13th-placed finish last season left a gaping hole to fill
"Our DNA's starting to show," captain Mitch Barnett said
at the back end we'll be so much better for it."
The Cowboys stormed back in the second half
(Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)Cowboys coach Todd Payten was happy to praise the Warriors as a "top-four team"
direct and confrontational … and have a young
"You can't give a good team that much of a head start
but very disappointed not to ice those last couple of sets
and jobs in that industry are not always easy to come by
regardless of one’s status or “importance.” Someone can light the box office on fire with a successful performance and still find themselves unemployed a year later
That’s not even mentioning the folks whose names you don’t know
It would take too long to get into Rowling’s history of hateful bigotry
It’s easier to look at a recent UK Supreme Court Ruling that decided the words “women” and “sex” in the U.K.’s Equality Act refer to biological women and biological sex
Rowling later celebrated the ruling on a yacht with a cigar like a f***ing comic book villain
It was a “loser” move (so sayeth Pedro Pascal)
and gets worse when you look at the details
Rowling had donated £70,000 to For Scotland Women
who brought the initial lawsuit to the court
To be clear: JK Rowling gave money to an anti-trans group
That group then complained to the UK Supreme Court
saying she “loves it when a plan comes together” because nothing she does (or has done) is original
while the pieces should fit together easily for anyone
John Lithgow can’t seem to see the whole picture (or he does and doesn’t care/is lying)
Lithgow was cast as Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter streaming adaptation
has made it clear that JK will be heavily involved (they couldn’t get enough of her work on those Fantastic Beasts movies
and she will then use that money to hurt people
Despite “a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child” sending an open letter to Lithgow asking him not to participate in the show
the World According to Garp star isn’t budging
he’s acting like the smoke has no fire
“I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,” Lithgow noted to The Times of London
“I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her
and I’m curious to talk to her.” Why wouldn’t you want to talk to the person who created the property you’re boarding about the views they have
Maybe because you don’t have to look far to find them
and acting like he’s going to have some enlightening conversation with her is a level of naivety Bill Maher would tip his stupid sunglasses at
Lithgow responded, “Oh, heavens no,” when asked if the backlash would make him reconsider the role. Not great. But, what’s worse is he then goes on to compare working for JK Rowling
who is alive and using her money for nefarious purposes
who is very much dead and likely to stay that way (this year is bad
bigots rising from the dead isn’t off the table)
“No one complained when I agreed to play Dahl
but I’ve received so many messages about J.K
I know Roald Dahl’s estate is still keeping a watchful eye on his legacy
but they aren’t openly touting the success of rulings meant to make it harder for Jewish people to exist
and either Lithgow doesn’t see it or doesn’t want to
The NSW Government is funding safety upgrades between Lithgow to Bathurst under the Safer Roads Program
42 moderate injury crashes and 2 minor injury crashes
A high proportion of these crashes (34) involved vehicles leaving the road
15 were recorded as either run off road to the right
or head-on crashes and 19 were recorded as run off road to the left
There have been no further fatal crashes since this time (to the end of August 2020)
These alarming numbers triggered significant investment under the Saving Lives on Country Roads program to implement treatments that will reduce the incidence and severity of cross centreline crashes along this section of the Highway
More information is available in our latest notification (PDF, 403.94 KB)
More information is available in our latest notification (PDF, 416.44 KB)
Changed traffic conditions near the Great Western Highway in Lithgow from Tuesday 28 May
More information is available in our latest notification (PDF, 231.11 KB)
Nightwork on the Great Western Highway at Kirkconnell from 15 May 2024
More information is available in our latest notification (PDF, 444.14 KB)
Ongoing nightwork on the Great Western Highway at Kirkconnell from 10 December 2023
More information is available in our latest notification (PDF, 257.68 KB)
The NSW Government has developed the Saving Lives on Country Roads program to help address the disproportionate number of fatalities on country roads by delivering a number of safety improvements for high risk country roads
The crash history between Lithgow and Bathurst features a high incidence of run off road crashes and in some locations a high incidence of cross centre line crashes
so the NSW Government has funded important safety upgrades to increase the separation of oncoming vehicles
alert drivers when they leave a lane and provide a more forgiving road environment for when people make mistakes
Safety treatment works recommended and approved for installation include:
Read more about the benefits of safety treatments at Towards Zero.
We will keep the community updated as the project progresses
ImageCollapse the ImageSafety treatments completed at GlanmireImage controls:
Some documents on this page may not comply with accessibility requirements (WCAG)
If you are having trouble accessing information in these documents, please contact us
Lithgow to Bathurst safety work Wallang Flat
For further information about this project
Email: western.projects@transport.nsw.gov.au
Transport for NSW recognise and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and care of Country. We pay respect to traditional custodians and Elders past and present.
weather-resistant blinds help reduce the impact of wind and rain
Pictures from Australian Outdoor LivingAs the temperature drops
many outdoor spaces become deserted as homeowners retreat indoors for shelter
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBut with the right design choices and functional additions to our backyards
Australia's love for outdoor living doesn't have to end in summer
according to Australian Outdoor Living's design and outdoor lifestyle expert
an outdoor space can be transformed into a welcoming retreat
whether it's a warm and cosy winter escape or a breezy summer entertaining area," she said
Alex's five tips for extending the size of your home all year round are:
The most successful outdoor areas aren't just built for warm weather - they evolve with the seasons
"A well-designed outdoor space should feel like an extension of your home
you can create a space that's comfortable year-round."
Rather than treating the backyard as one open area
or different zones that adapt to changing conditions
"A mix of open and sheltered areas allows you to move seamlessly between sunshine and shade
Spending time outdoors should feel effortless
and comfort is at the heart of that experience
Alex said thoughtful details make all the difference
"It's all about the layers - soft lighting for ambience
outdoor cushions and rugs that can withstand the elements
and heating solutions that extend the usability of your space through the cooler months," she said
Outdoor kitchens keep the party outside and food and drinks accessible.4
Bring the indoors outOutdoor spaces feel more inviting when they mirror the warmth and functionality of indoor living
Alex encourages homeowners to reimagine their backyard as an alfresco extension of their home
"Think about how you use your indoor spaces - lounging
socialising - and translate that into your outdoor areas," she said
A well-planned outdoor space is one that evolves with your lifestyle
Alex advises homeowners to invest in solutions that offer long-term benefits
from sustainable materials to energy-efficient shade solutions and low-maintenance landscaping
"The best outdoor spaces aren't just about aesthetics - they're about usability," she said
that feels as good in winter as it does in summer
There are laughs and there are gasps as John Lithgow’s sometimes delightful
always compelling Roald Dahl fills the air with his nonsense
The delightful nonsense — Dahl the genius teaser
the smiling provocateur — is the creation of Mark Rosenblatt
the director turned playwright who recently won an Olivier for this scintillating battle of wits
In search of a way of exploring the coarsened nature of contemporary conversations about Israel and the Middle East
he went back to the controversy over antisemitic comments made by Dahl in 1983
Now that Giant has moved from the Royal Court to the West End
the gasps come less for the invented quips and
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.
Photo: Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOSCraig McRae has lauded his players as winners
even though their six-game AFL streak is over
All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueHe was rapt with how they handled the end of Saturday night's epic three-point loss to Geelong
rallying around Jack Crisp when he missed his shot at goal after the siren
It would have been a fairytale finish had he kicked accurately
given Crisp was playing in his 245th-consecutive match
Teammates ran to console with Crisp after his missed last-ditch kick
(Scott Barbour/AAP PHOTOS)Collingwood players and also some Cats opponents immediately went to Crisp after his crucial kick only scored a behind
It's testament to the character and culture that we have," McRae said after the agonising 13.12 (90) to 12.15 (87) loss
Crisp said the support he received made him emotional
It nearly brought a tear to my eye," he told Fox Footy
His shot at goal after the siren capped a frenetic finish to the game
with the Magpies kicking two late goals to nearly steal the win
with Collingwood's Bobby Hill running down Shaun Mannagh in the last few minutes
"Bobby was probably a little bit stiff," McRae said
Collingwood star Nick Daicos gave away a 50m penalty in the last term
his frustration showing after a solid tag from Oisin Mullin
It's hard to stop Nick and we're trying to move him to places where he has influence on the game," McRae said
"It's just what happens now when you become this player
Collingwood have a five-day break before playing Fremantle in Perth and McRae said they are planning accordingly
Jeremy Howe was rested for the Geelong game and other veterans are likely to not make the trip