The phone never leaves Alaa Najja’s side. With every alert her body stiffens. This time it’s from Rafah. It might be bad news. “I really don’t sleep much anymore,” she said softly. “Even in my dreams I see and feel the war.” From a modest apartment in Wollongong, the 32-year-old mother flips between video calls with her children and urgent WhatsApp messages from family still living in Gaza. It’s been months since she’s heard her father’s voice. “Sometimes I think silence is worse than sirens,” she said. Ms Najja arrived in Australia in 2019, four years before war engulfed Gaza.…
Author: Emma Hastie
Sydney is set to become the epicentre of Rugby League this footy season, with the Men’s State of Origin Game 3 Decider expected to draw more than 83,000 spectators to Accor Stadium on July 9. The NRL anticipates the crowd could rival the highest attendances in recent years, marking a significant moment for both the sport and the city. The surge in attendance is expected to bring a considerable boost to Sydney’s tourism and local economy, further cementing the city’s status as a major rugby league hub. Hospitality, accommodation and transport sectors across Sydney are gearing up for what many…
Recently released crime data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) reveals a widening gap in violent crime trends between Wollongong and Sydney, particularly in offences against the person. The data shows that while overall crime rates in NSW have remained stable over the past two decades, the disparity between metropolitan and regional areas is growing. In Wollongong, offences such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment are on the rise, outpacing the trends seen in Sydney. In 2024, Wollongong recorded 709 persons of interest in domestic violence related incidents, the highest in any regional police district.…
Crime data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has revealed a widening gap in violent crime trends between Wollongong and Sydney, particularly in offences against people. The data shows that while overall crime rates in NSW have remained stable over the past two decades, the disparity between metropolitan and regional areas is growing. In Wollongong, offences such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment are on the rise, outpacing the trends seen in Sydney. In 2024, Wollongong recorded 709 domestic violence related incidents, the highest in any regional police district. While Sydney reported 296 cases (BOCSAR,…
Australia is set to feel the economic impact of the U.S. government’s 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which took effect in mid-March. While the GDP impact is under 0.02 per cent, economists have warned of the ripple effects on industries, employment, and consumer prices. Australia exported 223,000 tonnes of steel and 83,000 tonnes of aluminium to the U.S. last year. Given the significant export volume, industry leaders warn of job losses and economic strain as demand declines. University of Wollongong professor Xiao Fei Pan has warned the effects will extend beyond exporters. “These tariffs will be…
‘Running in Fear: A World of Considerations’ explores the delicate balance between freedom and fear that women experience when running at night. Through personal stories, including the author’s own late-night runs, research, and interviews, this feature delves into the constant vigilance women must maintain in public spaces. The article sheds light on systemic issues, the burden of self-protection, and society’s failure to address male violence. It’s a call to action and a call to rethink how we approach women’s safety, challenging the status quo and demanding a world where women can exist, without fear.
Iranian-Australian film Shayda has won Australia’s richest prize for Australian film in this year’s CinefestOZ. From August 29 to September 3, Australia’s best new films were screened in picturesque venues throughout Western Australia’s southwest, competing for the $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize, which celebrates Australian feature films. Noora Niasari’s film ‘Shayda’ emerged victorious, ahead of Sean McDonald’s ‘Bromley: Light After Dark’, Matt Vesely’s ‘Monolith’, and Mark Leonard Winter’s ‘The Rooster’. In her acceptance speech, Niasari said she was grateful to CinefestOZ for shining a light on the story, which was inspired by her own childhood. “It was such an honour to…