Department store draws ire of Sydneysiders by abandoning festive tradition to instead promote rewards program with mascot Domino the dalmatian * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Two weeks out from Christmas, the footpath outside Sydney’s flagship David Jones store would usually be packed with eager-eyed families lining up to view the retailer’s traditional festive window display. But on Friday morning, Elizabeth Street was mostly empty. An upset-looking child in a pram stared forlornly at a Valentino advertisement. Continue reading...

Fair Work Commission case involving ATO could influence viability of many outsourced government service arrangements, expert says * Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Nathan Brunne knows his way around the tax code. In his call centre work, the 25-year-old can recall the correct section of the Australian Taxation Office’s policy manuals when speaking with the public, or helping colleagues. “I’ve got a pretty photographic memory when it comes to that type of stuff,” says Brunne, who has worked on the ATO phone lines since 2022. Continue reading...

Astronomers detect the new quasi-satellite 2025 PN7, a small asteroid that will accompany Earth until 2083.

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have developed a new protein-based gel that can restore tooth enamel by mimicking the body’s natural growth processes. A newly developed material has been us...

A large-scale Swedish study explored the connections between ADHD and criminal behavior within families. The findings suggest a shared liability that appears to be influenced by genetic factors, with ...

After decades of scoffing at after-school trick-or-treaters, I now wear a witch’s hat and hit the streets with my junior hobgoblins * Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email Halloween has become a fixture in Australia’s cultural calendar, but that hasn’t always been the case. Growing up, Halloween only existed in American pop culture. The first sign it had spread here came sometime in the 90s, when a group of kids knocked on our door. My mother, bewildered by their seemingly random request for sweets, hurried off to the pantry. I never saw their reaction but I’m sure they enjoyed their wholemeal Saladas and tinned peaches. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...