Daily Telegraph News & Politics

A decision will be made in less than a fortnight on the NSW Government's drugs plan. The Education Department will track public school students' progression after graduation to take the focus off the HSC. The jury’s retired to consider its verdict in the Jarryd Hayne sexual assault trial. Former star Gareth Widdop's slashed his asking price by a whopping two-thirds to find an NRL club next season.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NSW cabinet is split over a proposal to let drug takers escape penalties for personal use.The former wife of disgraced Liberal MP Daryl Maguire has spoken of her “hurt’’ at revelations of his relationship with Premier Gladys Berejiklian. NSW will enjoy eased restrictions on Monday. A doctor's warning that Penrith’s Brent Naden risked cardiac arrest and possible death when he allegedly played in the NRL grand final with cocaine in his system. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sydney mother of a girl with Down syndrome has embraced the successful launch of a children’s doll depicting the condition. Experts believe Twitter has prioritised its access to the Chinese market over removing a “vile” tweet from a Beijing official. The NRL will investigate Penrith Panthers star Brent Naden playing this year’s grand final with cocaine in his system.  Channel 7 claims significant commercial damage has been suffered because Cricket Australia changed to a new program with only one Test in the pre-Christmas ratings period. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM has condemned a violent image shared by Beijing’s foreign ministry spokesman on Twitter with the Australian government appealing to the platform to remove the image. Funds raised by the 2021 release of Australian Firefighters Calendar will go towards wildlife rescue. Water restrictions will be lifted from today and replaced with guidelines for households and businesses. Channel 7 has launched Federal Court proceedings against Cricket Australia. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are calls for the Australian Defence Force to reconsider stripping bravery awards from entire Special Forces units who served in Afghanistan, following damning accusations of alleged war crimes. Sydneysiders have sweltered through two consecutive days of temperatures above 40 degrees, for the first time in 80 years. In a troubling reminder of last year’s horror bushfire season, hot and windy conditions have whipped up close to 90 blazes across NSW. And Steve Smith is steaming home in his bid to be crowned cricketer of the decade. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morrison Government has made changes to its stimulus scheme, extending the construction commencement deadline from three months to six months. A report to be tabled in NSW Parliament this week has taken aim at the Department of Communities and Justice, claiming eight vulnerable children might be alive today if it had properly investigated their mental health. Erin Molan has declared she’s mentally ready to deal with the scrutiny and pressure of Sydney FM radio. And Christmas just got a whole lot better for Dragons star Corey Norman, who picked up a $25,000 poker machine jackpot on Friday night. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allegations have emerged that missing woman Melissa Caddick may have illegally used another company’s Australian Financial Services licence without authorisation. Jarryd Hayne has admitted he knew the woman accusing him of sexual assault didn’t want to have sex, but denies forcing himself on her. Some of Australia’s most well-known, and deadly animals will be transformed into adorable animated stars, in a new Netflix film. And a teenager from Queensland has become the most-wanted signature in the NRL. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gladys Berejiklian is under pressure to ease COVID restrictions at large hospitality venues to save jobs and livelihoods in the lead up to Christmas. NSW Academic Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert is expected to arrive home in Australia today, following her release from Iran after being locked up for 804 days. Santa has officially been confirmed as an ‘essential worker’ and has been granted permission to enter NSW without completing a 14-day COVID quarantine. And Australia urged to adopt a no-sledging policy around Virat Kohli, warning ‘You don’t want to wake the beast’. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airlines and travel agencies have reportedly been flooded with bookings from Sydneysiders keen to head north, when the Queensland border reopens next week. We’ll soon get an insight into the life of Sydney nightclub boss John Ibrahim, with his book ‘Last King of the Cross’ set to be made into a major international miniseries. Parents are being urged to keep it simple when it comes to presents for their children’s teachers this year, amid fears a simple gift card could amount to bribery of public officials. And rising NRL star Keith Titmuss, who tragically died on Monday, will be posthumously awarded an official Sea Eagles player number. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small hospitality venues will soon be able to double the amount of patrons allowed on their premises, with COVID restrictions easing just in time for Christmas. The family of rising Manly Sea Eagles star Keith Titmuss who died suddenly at training on Monday, has tearfully paid tribute to their ‘larrikin’. Prosecutors have dropped the final charge against a Sydney father at the centre of a legal battle over a tattoo. And he NRL will launch next season with a face-off between super coaches Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sea Eagles have been left devastated by the shock death of rising star Keith Titmuss, who died suddenly after falling ill at training. A schoolyard grudge blamed for the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy at Parramatta. The Scots College student allegedly stabbed by his mother was due to face court himself on criminal charges. And Cricket Australia under pressure to lure David Warner to the BBL. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RESTAURANT royalty, function organisers, and a local publican have all pleaded for Premier Gladys Berejiklian to relax the “one person per four square metre” rule governing their venues. At least five drug dealers have been kidnapped in the past week by a Sydney bikie gang as they try to track down who stole a massive cocaine shipment belonging to them. FACEBOOK and Google must be forced to pay Australian media organisations for using their content so the industry can “survive,” according to an open letter issued by 10 major news firms today. Renegade Wests Tigers forward Josh Aloiai faces being fined, and then sacked, if he fails to attend the club’s first official training sessions next week. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teacher in NSW will be trained to better understand students’ mental health and stop vulnerable kids falling through the cracks. SALIM Mehajer is famous for his love of expensive cars but it seems the police were not as impressed by the former politician’s glistening Ferrari. WORKOUT on an exercise bike. A de-stress session on a gravity puzzle. And a virtual press conference dressed in a suit jacket — and board shorts and thongs It started with Tom Hanks and Zac Efron, then came Nicole Kidman with her Nine Perfect Strangers cast. Now the trickle of Hollywood stars has become a flood, as the big names flee COVID-stricken America for the safety of working in Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PRESSURE is mounting in Canberra over the future of war hero Ben Roberts-Smith’s military awards, with concerns that his Victoria Cross — Australia’s highest military honour THE  general  manager  of an award-winning Central Coast construction company has been charged with rape. IT’S the Sydney high school where suspension is seen as a chance to  hang out at the shops and have a holiday, ­rather than a punishment. SHAYNA Jack is a chance of being a shock inclusion in the Australian team at next year’s Tokyo Olympics. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Accused rapist Jack de Belin has told court the woman “winked and smiled” when the NRL player suggested she join him and his friend for sex VETERANS have condemned the “rushed” decision to strip bravery medals from  entire Special Forces units POLICE have reinterviewed the husband of missing businesswoman Melissa Caddick while sifting through her complex financial dealings to shed light on the extent of debt she accumulated. AUSTRALIA’S newest NBA player Josh Green  was “starstruck” when the Dallas Mavericks chose him from Sydney in Thursday’s draft. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billionaire James Packer’s Crown casino will not open its gaming floors in December as planned after the regulator expressed concerns the Sydney Harbour high rise could be a “magnet” for money laundering. The distraught husband of a millionaire eastern suburbs businesswoman has made an emotional public plea for her ­return a week after she walked out of their $7 million cliff top mansion. NSW Labor leader Jodi McKay has declared the party’s  rebel  MP Joel Fitzgibbon “has a point”, and thrown full support behind manufacturing and resources towns as she distanced herself from Federal Labor. And Queensland has won Origin 20-14 to claim the series. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE biggest shake-up in property taxes in a generation could leave first-home buyers as much as $54,000 better off Two members of the Hamzy underworld family have begun legal negotiations with police who want to restrict everything from where they go to how much cash they have. FIVE current and ex-service members have taken their own lives in the past week, an inquiry into the federal government’s proposed commission to ­investigate defence suicides has heard. NEVER play tennis days out from a big game. That line, Brad Fittler says, he learned from the greatest coach of all. Big Jack Gibson. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EVERY adult in the state will be given four separate $25 vouchers to spend on dining, entertainment and recreation in a massive stimulus measure at the heart of today’s NSW Budget. A PAIR of private school boys planned to get “married” last week in a bid to throw a pumping Year 12 formal after-party with 150 guests. THE rugby league community has thrown its support behind Penrith star Brent Naden after he was admitted to a private medical facility to treat alcohol issues. CHAOS has engulfed cricket’s summer plans, with doubt hanging over the first Test in Adelaide and a desperate rush on to urgently get affected ­superstars to safer borders For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LABOR’S vote is said to be collapsing in the mining electorate of the Hunter, with just one in three voters believing  the party is the best bet to put the needs of workers first Australia is hoping to reset its embattled trade relationship with China by joining the economic powerhouse and other Asian nations in the largest free-trade deal ever signed. A 91-year-old man has survived with only cuts and an injured wrist after his paraglider came crashing down into the ocean in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. GAME Three of State of Origin is about to set a world record for the biggest outdoor sporting event since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AN army of nurses will be posted to primary and high schools to treat and refer ­pupils dealing with mental health and medical issues. ASSOCIATES and members of two notorious Sydney crime families will be hit with a series of stifling restrictions and ordered to hand over intimate details of their lives by police as they try to stop a gangland war erupting. FRONTLINE police will be trained to better identify hate crimes under a $12.3 million package to tackle violent ­extremism and racism. Champion skipper Cameron Smith has finally broken his silence, revealing he would not sign a new contract with the Melbourne Storm if it meant losing his apprentices For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.