Sydney desk

Filed from the Sydney desk — including multi-city pieces that also ran elsewhere.

Business · 21 October 2026

War‑Hero’s New T‑Shirt Venture Leaves Observers Scratching Their Heads

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

After a two‑and‑a‑half hour interview, disgraced war hero Ben Roberts‑Smith launched a clothing brand and an Instagram page, prompting speculation about whether the move is a genuine business venture or a PR stun…

World · 21 October 2026

Trump’s Midterm Gambit: Throwing Zelensky Under the Bus Hands Putin a Checkmate

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

By sidelining Ukraine’s president ahead of the midterms, Donald Trump lets a war‑winning Russia take the lead as Kyiv’s allies disappear.

Sports · 21 October 2026

Hall of Fame Hiccup: Brondello’s Misread Comment Sparks WNBA Meme Frenzy

Frank Bollard, Melbourne desk

During her induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Sandy Brondello revealed the stress she felt after a comment about WNBA star Angel Reese was misinterpreted, turning a celebratory moment into an online stir.

World · 21 October 2026

Trump brands inquisitive journalist a ‘sick person’ in latest verbal showdown

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

Donald Trump labelled a reporter a 'sick person' after asking a question he didn't like, sparking a fresh round of media-politics fireworks.

Finance · 21 October 2026

RBA Deputy Flags Worsening Inflation, Odds of Fifth Rate Hike Tighten

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser warned that the inflation outlook is worsening, prompting the Reserve Bank of Australia to shorten the odds of a fifth rate rise this year as it balances entrenched inflation risks with prot…

Business · 20 October 2026

NAB’s Christmas Grinch: Job Cuts, Rate Hikes and a Future of AI‑Driven Workforce

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

NAB’s latest round of job losses has the Grinch up to his ears this Christmas, while market participants whisper that artificial intelligence will be the next to suffer. Rates and property values remain flat as earning…

Business · 20 October 2026

The Algorithm That Loves Suriname: Critical Resources Finds Its Third Favourite Spot in a Country the Size of a Large Diner

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Critical Resources has secured exclusive rights to its third Surinamese gold asset, the Gadu Manda project, located just four kilometres from Zijin Mining’s Rosebel mine, which holds about six million ounces of gold.

Politics · 20 October 2026

Market Participants Rattle Over Wangaratta Activist’s Threat to MP

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

When a local activist in Wangaratta threatened a sitting MP, market participants seized the moment, causing property rates in the town to tumble as investors worried about political risk.

World · 20 October 2026

Ukrainian Army Turns Drone Into Lifesaver, Pulls Off First Battlefield Rescue

Rex Blister, Sydney desk

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry says a drone performed a quick lift of a wounded soldier on the frontline, marking what it calls the first battlefield rescue using an unmanned aircraft.