ASX set for sharp losses; $A hits US80c before falling The Australian sharemarket is poised for a drop of 1.3 per cent at the open as the recent theme of the market — rising bond yields and falling prices of technology companies - sent Wall Street lower. India imposes new rules on Facebook, WhatsApp Facebook faced a global backlash last week after it blocked news feeds in Australia in a dispute with the government over revenue-sharing.  Quarter of Australians still hesitant to get coronavirus vaccine, survey shows A new national survey shows the share of Australians willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 remains at 76 per cent, despite government efforts to reach 95 per cent acceptance. Trump created an anti-American ‘cult’ of followers says Hilary Clinton Clinton said that US President Joe Biden is trying to “separate” Donald Trump’s followers from the former president in his bid to unite Americans, 74 million of whom, voted for Trump. It’s not disloyal to roll an opposition leader. Sometimes it’s necessary Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien is in a spot of bother - for two reasons. GameStop shares surge again as surprising rally extends into second day GameStop shares have continued their rally, leaving analysts puzzled and triggering a series of NYSE trading halts. ‘A perfect setting to cultivate my love of running’: Cathy relights the flame With this speech, Cathy Freeman helped convince the IOC of the south-east Queensland bid’s merits. Senior bureaucrat rejects developer’s claim it learnt of highway route from published map Transport for NSW official says he “wouldn’t wish to speculate” how disgraced MP Daryl Maguire was leaked route of a motorway months before it was made public. The multimillion-dollar ‘unsafe’ school where half the jobs are empty Walgett Community College has had 29 principals in 23 years and is struggling to attract teachers despite more funding per student than Sydney Grammar. ‘Throwing petrol on a bonfire’: Property prices tipped to soar if super used for deposits Industry Super Australia says the median property price could jump by 16 per cent or $129,000 in Sydney and by 9 per cent or $55,000 in Melbourne if such a policy was introduced. ‘I’ll just get this poison into me first – then we can talk about rugby league’ The inspiring story of Peter Mullholland, the Canberra Raiders recruitment guru fighting off cancer for a third time. Secret meeting that won Australia frontrunner status to host Olympics Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Olympic champion Cathy Freeman and IOC Vice-President John Coates were all involved in behind-the-scenes talks to get Brisbane its ‘preferred candidate’ status. Bike-friendly, green space, working from home: New planning blueprint for life after COVID-19 New developments will not impede the city’s nightlife, apartments will be built for people to work from home, and precincts will be shaped with Aboriginal values under fresh rules to transform Sydney’s urban image. Lady Gaga offers $US500,000 reward after dog walker shot, pets stolen The pop superstar’s dog walker was shot and two of her French bulldogs stolen during an armed robbery in Hollywood, police said. Scientist abuzz as bee thought ‘extinct’ for 100 years lands near him A rare Australian native bee had not been sighted for nearly 100 years until one landed in front of the researcher looking for them. Facebook restores news in Australia as media code becomes law News organisations around the world are hailing the passing of new laws to force Facebook and Google into commercial agreements with media companies. New York prosecutor obtains Trump’s tax records after long fight The Manhattan district attorney’s office enforced a subpoena on Trump’s accounting firm within hours of the Supreme Court’s ruling this week, and now has the documents in hand. German police commissioner charged with sharing Hitler pictures The suspect had shared pictures of the Nazi leader performing the Hitler salute with 30 others, including police officers, prosecutors allege. Aged care is one of the big feminist issues of our time Men are quick to declare they wouldn’t put their mum “in a home”. But they are not the ones who end up caring for her. Hardcore porn to blame for disturbing teenage sex culture The ‘education’ our teenagers are receiving on how to relate to one another is sitting in their pockets, as they walk through the front doors of their schools and homes. Welfare policy sustains the poor in state of inequality The increase in unemployment benefits from the lucky country is paltry and miserable. Higgins rape claim begs the question: who actually cared? Which ministers knew what and when? And why didn’t they tell the Prime Minister? Australia’s emissions hit lowest level since 1995 despite spike from recovering economy Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped to the lowest levels in the country since 1995, falling 4.4 per cent on the previous year. Australia needs bigger renewable energy network, infrastructure agency says Infrastructure Australia, the government’s adviser on major projects, says the country needs far more wind, solar and hydro projects to safeguard the nation’s future energy needs. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis create Carnage together The album is proof of the creative force that’s possible when the pair end up in the studio together. Made in Auckland, mixed in Stockholm: the Datsuns are back Six years since their last album, the Datsuns have a new LP in which they play with layers, harmonies and effects. From guitar in a share house to the Nobel Prize: catching up with Kazuo Ishiguro The British novelist’s latest book can be seen as a response to the sadness in his bestselling Never Let Me Go. Your Daily Horoscope for Friday, February 26 Free daily horoscope for each star sign from renowned Astrologer Hedy Damari. Forecasts for the day ahead in life, love and career. The Facebook elephant is still in the room: what it’s doing with your intimate data That Facebook has backed down on its news blockade and is doing deals with news organisations does not address the fundamental problem: the genius of its advertising model is that it has an unconscionable amount of data on its users. And governments aren’t doing a thing about it. Daily trips on Centenary Highway to soar by 400 per cent It currently takes up to 3.5 times longer to travel by bus between Ipswich and Springfield than hop in the car. Micro credentials not the education revolution they were first touted to be Micro-credentials can be an important option for some people, but they are far from the main game for universities. Shivering at work: Are Australian offices too cold in summer? I have to bring two puffer jackets with me to work – one on my legs and one on my back. Ridiculous. In the Herald: February 26, 1958 Cuban rebels yesterday released racing driver Juan Fangio, but it was too late to take part in Cuba’s Grand Prix. From the Archives, 1986: Last day of a dictator On February 26, 1986, following the departure of Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the Herald was there as locals stormed an empty presidential palace. Property giant’s Balmoral reno a storey of woe There’s no neighbours quite like Mosman neighbours, as CBRE executive Justin Brown is discovering as his renovation plans get bogged in red tape. Target Time and Superquiz, Friday, February 26 Trivia buffs: test your knowledge with today’s interactive Superquiz and target. From Origin to the dishlickers, Queensland MPs declare their interests Queensland politicians have declared their mortgages, free tickets and unusual hobbies in the latest register of members’ interests. ‘See a problem, measure it, fix it’: Push for surveillance to fight hospital infections Infection control experts are calling for a national and transparent surveillance system to track and help prevent painful, debilitating and potentially life-threatening infections patients pick up in Australian hospitals. Exotic snakes smuggled into Queensland ‘pose risk to human life’ Four exotic snakes smuggled into Queensland have been seized by biosecurity officers and euthanised. Council complaints flood in, with busiest month ever for watchdog Brisbane councillors made up the bulk of the 219 investigations on the Office of the Independent Assessor’s books as of December 31, with 71 active probes. Hamilton shores up for 14,000-bed Olympic Games athletes village The site was identified in the International Olympics Committee documents released when the IOC announced the Queensland bid would have preferred status. Queensland to collect its IOUs as JobKeeper ends The first payroll tax bill deferred last year are due on April 7, one week after the federal government guillotines its wage subsidy scheme. The latest illustrations from artist Andrew Dyson Some of his best work The latest illustrations from artist Cathy Wilcox The latest work by Sydney Morning Herald editorial cartoonist Cathy Wilcox. Best of cartoons, February 26, 2021 The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists. The latest illustrations from artist Matt Golding Illustrations by the artist from The Age. The latest illustrations from artist Simon Letch Gallery of illustrations by Sydney Morning Herald artist, Simon Letch. Perth hoteliers at centre of homeless housing scandal arrested Hotel owner Eddie Kamil and his accountant were demanding $40,000 from the state government for accommodating rough sleepers in the days after Fremantle’s ‘tent city’ was dismantled. Pakistani, Indian militaries agree to stop firing in Kashmir India and Pakistan’s militaries have agreed to stop firing along their disputed border in Kashmir - a move that would be a major step in defusing tensions in the highly militarised Himalayan region. Labor’s Riverton candidate under fire for falsely claiming to live in electorate The GP has also copped criticism from his opponent for preferencing anti-vaxxer candidates ahead of the Liberals.