Daily Telegraph News & Politics

A World War II survivor living in a Sydney aged care home has made history as the first person in Australia to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, marking the beginning of the long road back to “normal” more than a year into the pandemic. Facebook has been accused of using “bully-boy tactics” and of not being “compatible with democracy” by politicians around the globe, who warned the social media giant’s decision to ban Aussie news outlets would backfire on it. The University of Sydney has been accused of reaching new levels of ‘‘wokeness” by changing its logo to an 11-colour “progress flag” to coincide with the start of Mardi Gras. And in sport, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has sensationally withdrawn from the running for a place on the ARL Commission. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new officer in charge of NSW’s sex crime squad is on a mission to convict  more violent sex offenders, and is pushing for a complete overhaul of sexual crime laws. A familiar face lands the coveted job of host of the Seven Network’s top-rating afternoon game show, The Chase. Cash-strapped young adults who are living with their parents ­because they cannot afford to buy their own homes, have been identified as a key driver of the state’s looming “baby bust”. And in sport, rugby league’s Dally M Awards are facing a major overhaul after years of controversy. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oscar winner Julia Roberts is set to join the growing influx of Hollywood A-listers to Australia’s relatively COVID-free shores, with the superstar set to begin shooting a new TV series produced by Aussie brothers Joel and Nash Edgerton. Missing woman Melissa Caddick went on a document-shredding spree around the time the corporate watchdog began investigating her over claims of a multimillion-dollar fraud.  The state government is still chasing nearly $30 million from returned travellers who haven’t paid the bill for their two weeks of  mandatory hotel quarantine. And in sport, Pual Gallen will fight former heavyweight world champion Lucas Browne, after promoters No Limit caved in to the demands of rival Dean Lonergan for an astonishing $100,000 fee. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians have united against Facebook after the ­social media giant wiped essential health and emergency information in an effort to bully the federal government. Struggling to hold back tears, Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has defended her handling of a rape allegation by her former staffer, describing it as a “difficult” and “complex” matter.  Bikie-busting police unit Strikeforce Raptor will be bolstered to more than  100 cops and will be unleashed on warring crime families in Sydney’s southwest, as murders and public shootings escalate.  And in sport, rugby league stars have been put on notice — the state’s most powerful law enforcer is poised to join the NRL on the independent commission.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Liberal staffer who alleges she was raped by a senior colleague inside  Parliament House has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of “victim blaming” as the man at the centre of the shock claim checked himself into hospital.  A Tale of three train stations has revealed how swaths of Sydney have been left ­behind in multi-million dollar upgrades to help people in wheelchairs and mothers with prams access public transport.  New figures reveal there’s a marked difference in mortality rates for conditions like heart attack and stroke, depending on which hospital you attend in Sydney. And in sport, St George Illawarra’s Anthony Griffin has proven again he isn’t afraid to male bold calls, naming halfback Ben Hunt as captain. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It has taken the shocking claims of a young political staffer’s rape on a couch in a federal minister’s office — and that the allegations were  withheld from the Prime Minister — for a “long overdue” probe into the culture surrounding  Parliament House. Most Australians will still be waiting weeks to receive their first dose of the  AstraZeneca vaccine  even after the jab gained approval for use in adults of all ages yesterday.  Former Olympic swimming star  Scott Miller “called the shots” in a $2.2 million ice syndicate allegedly supplying drugs to regional NSW hidden inside candles. And in sport, Penrith centre Brent Naden will start the NRL season in reserve grade and miss up to the first four rounds of the competition, in a self-imposed decision designed to earn back the respect of his teammates.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police will allege former NRL player Michael Lichaa allegedly assaulted his fiancee Kara Childerhouse after catching her in the middle of an “intimate act’’ with old Bulldogs teammate Adam Elliott. Academics at one of the nation’s top universities have told staff to stop using words such as “ mother” in favour of “gestational parent”, and to call fathers the “non-birthing parent” in a bid to deliver gender-inclusive education. Health workers have been told to be ready to start giving patients the COVID-19 vaccine in just six days, as the first doses of the Pfizer jab arrived in Australia yesterday. And in sport, Manly recruit Josh Aloiai believes he would win a media battle over his exit at Concord, and  described comments from Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis as “immature”. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AUSTRALIA’S V-Day is finally within sight as health officials confirm the first doses of the highly effective Pfizer vaccine will arrive within days and start rolling out in one week. DAMNING new information about the level of access provided – or not provided – by the Chinese government to WHO investigators Adverse events” in hospitals are costing Australians more than $4 billion a year. FORMER Bulldogs star player Michael Lichaa was being questioned by police last night after he was taken to hospital in a serious condition following a disturbance at his home For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ONE of Sydney’s richest golf clubs has rejected a memorial for four young children killed by drunk and drugged driver THE CATHOLIC school system will spend $173 million to upgrade 36 of its schools, most of them in Sydney’s southwest and northwest. A LEADING private investigator with a career hunting ­fugitives believes missing woman Melissa Caddick has radically changed her appearance Cronulla have been in secret talks for six months to sign Craig Bellamy in a major bombshell For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GLADYS Berejiklian has vowed to keep NSW open despite her nervous counterparts slamming their borders shut in response to the growing COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria. A CRACK fraud squad will take charge of the investigation into Melissa Caddick’s multimillion dollar swindle in a determined bid to track down the missing woman. THE romance between NRL star Blake Ferguson and Sydney heiress Dominique ­Moraitis  is over THE backyard pool has always been the perfect place to beat the heat but now it’s seen as a way to make your home much ­cooler For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A senior producer of Channel 9’s Today show has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman at his Bondi home. DESPERATE women and couples hoping to conceive through IVF will for the first time get an honest assessment of their chances of falling pregnant. eight councils which have asked for permission to increase their rates by more than the 2 per cent rate TEACHER in a same-sex relationship has launched a legal battle against the NSW Education DepartmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW looks set to steal thousands of jobs from other states thanks to a tax cut program ­designed to lure interstate businesses looking for certainty in the COVID era. TWO security guards have been hired to protect a mural of former Rural Fire Service chief Shane Fitzsimmons at a cost of about $3000 a day NRL stars will be told to consider  one-year contract extensions to prepare for the possibility of being headhunted  when a big-spending second Brisbane side enters. The Broncos face a multimillion-dollar battle to retain Kotoni Staggs For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A damning report yesterday found James Packer’s Crown ­Resorts is unsuitable to run a ­casino in its new  $2.2 billion tower at Barangaroo. The NSW Department of Justice will not disclose how much money it shelled out on a mural of former RFS boss Shane Fitzsimmons which was vandalised hours after its grand reveal. A toddler whose life-and-death battle against a rare child cancer left her unable to endure human touch finally receives hugs and kisses from her mum. The NRL’s biosecurity expert believes the entire playing group could be vaccinated by the end of July For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broncos bosses ready to tear up Payn Haas  $3.4 million contract if he is embroiled in any other off-field scandal. Charities supporting new mums have lashed Barnardos Australia for axing its Mother of the Year award State health authorities are investigating whether a ­returned traveller who tested positive to COVID-19 two days after leaving hotel quarantine caught the virus while in the hotel Bulldog-in-waiting Matt Burton “100 per cent” wants out of Penrith to join Trent Barrett at Canterbury ­immediately.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students are not penalised for spelling errors in HSC English exams in a practice, experts say must end. One in every 33 children, including preschoolers, is taking antidepressant medication as concerns mount the drugs could be driving up youth suicide rates. A Mid North Coast council has been forced to crack down on “free campers” parking their vans illegally in suburban streets. The simmering tennis feud between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios has exploded on the eve of the Australian Open.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bikie associate Brendan Paul Dries was so happy when he sealed a deal to smuggle $80 million worth of ice into Australia, that he made a bold request to his partner in the operation. Wife of then NRL CEO Todd Greenberg, Lisa Greenberg recalls the day, nearly three years ago, when she hit rock bottom. Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert divorcing Russian-Israeli husband Ruslan Hodorov. Broncos star Payne Haas has broken his silence on his latest off-field scandal, admitting he must fix his image or risk losing millions and destroying his NRL career.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Land values across NSW have soared to a record $1.8 trillion in the past year despite the pandemic. Australian parents are being offered cyberbullying insurance for the first time as a new way to deal with “relentless” and traumatic online attacks against their children.  Zookeeper raising lion cub at home after she loses both her mother and sister within four weeks.   The NRL is preparing to suspend and fine NSW Origin star Payne Haas for his foul-mouthed tirade at police — but police minister David Elliott believes he should never play rugby league again.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW government threatening to use environmental legislation to deem hundreds of Western Sydney residents’ land “green space”. Kidnap victim Nisha Phillips had been stabbed and forced into the boot of her own car where she smashed the tail light from the inside and stuck her hand out to frantically signal for help, police allege Joel Edgerton spotted in Bondi joining the likes of other Hollywood A-listers. Fears the major sponsor of St George Illawarra would walk away from the club if it signed controversial star Israel Folau led the Dragons to pull out of negotiations with him. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A teenage girl who was stabbed and locked in the boot of a car escaped after she pushed out the ­vehicle’s tail light. Scrutinised BCF advertisement cleared by an official investigation. Health and wellness apps are turning Australia into the world’s most health conscious nation. St George Illawarra have pulled out of pursuing Israel Folau just 24 hours after announcing their intention to sign the dual international. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HSC students marked down in English exams due to not conforming to their teachers’ social values around cultural appropriation. New laws forcing tech giants to pay for Australian journalism used to generate ad ­revenue have gained Labor’s initial support but party says there are concerns to address. Anti-vaxxer conspiracy theories pedalled by Liberal backbencher Craig Kelly must be denounced by the government. Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson has ruled out a return to Australian Idol. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.