Stories from Sydney · Australia

Eighty percent of Australian charities report that demand for essential items and household goods is soaring. This increase occurs amid levels driven by the ongoing cost of living crisis. The report was shared by 2GB Sydney. The surge represents an 80% increase in requests, according to the report.

Anglicare's latest rental affordability snapshot shows a full-time worker earning the minimum wage could afford just 0.5% of the available listings surveyed. Charities Chief Executive Casey Chambers stated the private rental market is failing ordinary Australians.

The Civil Construction Federation released survey results from builders of major projects. The report warns that high prices for diesel and materials including plastic, piping, and concrete are pushing businesses to the brink. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East is expected to increase home building costs in Australia. The move is focused on addressing the blockade affecting Iranian waters. The source noted that the most carrier operation since the war resulted in two deaths.

Smealy Elliott will return to the front row for the New South Wales Blues in their opening game tonight. The player is returning to competition 18 months after playing her last match. Elliott took a one-year hiatus from the sport to give birth to her first child. She stated she is determined to make an impact upon her return. The veteran of nine State of Origin matches took an 18-month hiatus from the sport following the birth of her first child in 2025. Elliott stated she does not feel behind in fitness as the NRLW season has not yet commenced. She described the Origin series as the pinnacle of the game. Rugby player Joseph Suali is expected to return from injury in tomorrow night's match for the Roosters. Suali stated he is fit to make his comeback following the 2024 season. He noted that the injury is part of the professional rugby journey.

Researchers from the University of New South Wales discovered that Antarctic marine leopard seals utilize organized vocal structures. Scientists analyzed the vocalizations of 26 individual predators. The study found that their underwater sounds resemble simple nursery rhymes.

The Royal Commissioner will defer substantive findings regarding the actions of National Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agencies prior to the Bondi incident. This decision comes despite the terror threat level being raised to probable.

A new National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Report found the illicit drugs market in New South Wales is valued at more than $14 billion annually. The report also found that almost four tonnes of cocaine are consumed in the state every year.

City Power's Tom Langstaff stated the network is under pressure due to rapid growth in electrification. Customers are drawing increasing amounts of power through the network, according to Langstaff.

Angus Aitken, CEO of Aitken Mount Capital, has donated $1 million to the One Nation party. Aitken described the party as the "party of common sense" during his announcement.

Anglicare Australia warned that low-income earners are being excluded from the housing market due to a lack of affordable rental options. A national snapshot of nearly 49,000 listings revealed only one rental was affordable for individuals on Jobseeker payments.