Service provides lifeline for expectant and new mums

St George Illawarra has freed up salary cap space by reaching an agreement with Francis Molo for his early release from the club, with Molo agreeing to pay back a significant sum to terminate his contract. The Dragons had faced difficulties in signing a replacement due to the cap constraints, but the resolution allows for more flexibility in the roster. With Molo's departure, the team now has room to potentially add a forward player to...

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers warns that Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and Donald Trump's tariffs will impact the federal budget, potentially causing a $1.2 billion hit to GDP and increasing inflation. Chalmers also expresses concerns about global trade wars, stating that indirect effects of tariffs could be up to four times larger than direct impacts. Despite this, Chalmers rules out reciprocal tariffs against the US and will present the federal budget on March 25. Full Article

One study in Nature Medicine used data from the UK Biobank to analyze the impact of genetics and environmental factors on aging and longevity. Results showed that environmental factors played a major role in determining lifespan, with genetics contributing less than 2%. Factors such as smoking, socio-economic status, and physical activity levels were found to have the most influence on early death and biological aging. Full Article

NSW will introduce new laws to prevent "claim farming" that pressures individuals into lodging false compensation claims, particularly related to issues like sex abuse. This crackdown follows the arrest of seven alleged "claim farmers" accused of promoting millions of dollars in false claims earlier this year. The laws will prohibit soliciting others to make claims, ban the buying or selling of claim referrals, and require lawyers convicted of farming claims to refund legal costs, while...

Victoria's premier introduced a "new" taskforce to investigate corruption and crime-gang infiltration on taxpayer-funded construction sites, following revelations that Operation Hawk had been operating for months. Allegations of bikies profiteering, assaults on female workers, and CFMEU officials involved in corrupt activities are under investigation by Victoria Police, with additional resources deployed to target organised crime in the industry. Despite criticism from Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and claims of a cover-up, Mick Gatto denied involvement...

The OECD warns that Australian economic growth will slow in 2026 due to US President Trump's tariff agenda, with GDP growth expected to decline to 1.8% from 1.9% in 2025. Global growth is also projected to moderate, with higher trade barriers impacting investment and household spending. Inflation is expected to be higher than previously forecasted, with headline inflation in Australia predicted to reach 2.2% in 2026, allowing for continued policy rate reductions. Full Article