ABC Sydney

24/07/2025

Queensland pensioner Don Batty has always looked after his teeth, but age has taken its toll.

These days, the former NSW Police officer finds it hard to look in the mirror.

"I'm 80 years old now and my teeth have started to disintegrate," he told the ABC.

Mr Batty's story is not unique. Data obtained by the ABC shows patients in every state and territory can expect to wait months, if not years, for non-urgent public dental care.

Read more here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-21/push-to-include-dental-care-under-medicare-cover-in-australia/105543208?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

24/07/2025

Five women who were subjected to strip searches at Doha airport in 2020 have won the right to pursue legal action against Qatar Airways and the airport operator.

More than a dozen women were hauled off a Qatar Airways flight to Sydney and forced to undergo physical examinations in an ambulance on the airport tarmac without their consent.

Qatar Airways and MATAR have been ordered to pay the costs of the appeal.

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Five women who were subjected to strip searches at Doha airport in 2020 have won the right to pursue legal action against Qatar Airways and the airport operator.

24/07/2025

In the closing weeks of the Vietnam War, hundreds of orphaned babies and children were airlifted to Australia for a new life, but not all of them were adopted.

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In the closing weeks of the Vietnam War, hundreds of orphaned babies and children were airlifted to Australia for a new life, but not all of them were adopted.

24/07/2025

The NSW government announced in April that Byron Bay would be the first place outside Sydney to trial a special entertainment precinct.

Some residents fear the plan to boost the town's nightlife could increase alcohol-fuelled violence.

Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

NSW government plans to trial an "entertainment precinct" in Byron Bay are being hotly debated after a community-led meeting raised concerns about alcohol-fuelled violence.

23/07/2025

Is providing robotics and coding lessons key to getting school students interested in a career in STEM?

Australian Catholic University is running a study with Western Sydney school students to see if teaching a week of robotics and coding can spark an interest in engineering and science careers.

The Year 10 students were taught to use simple drag-and-drop code to command a remote controlled car, and will regularly report back to the study authors to see if their interest is sustained over the next year.

Some students who spoke with ABC Radio Sydney said they had interests in becoming software engineers, studying STEM at University and even incorporating robotics in childcare.

One of the study's authors Dr Walayat Hussain said it was important to give school students hands-on experience with robots and coding because many professions in their future would involve robots and Artifical Intelligence.

Tune in to 702 ABC Radio Sydney on the ABC listen app: https://ab.co/SydneyLocalRadio

23/07/2025

About 950 jobs will go from Transport for NSW, as the agency pursues "financial sustainability reforms".

Transport secretary Josh Murray announced the cuts in a memo to staff on Wednesday.

"We have to get back to a model that is sustainable for the long term, delivers on our commitments, and provides appropriate career paths for our people," he said.

"That also means reducing duplication, removing unclear reporting lines, and ensuring all our people are clear on what is expected of them."

Full story:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-23/nsw-transport-to-cut-950-jobs/105563718?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

23/07/2025

Come and see Rae Johnston broadcasting live at the Bankstown Bites Food Festival this Saturday on Olympic Parade in Bankstown.

We’ll be broadcasting from the Bites Alfresco zone in front of the Bankstown Art Centre from 8am - 10am.

Tune in to Saturday Breakfast with Rae Johnston on 702 ABC Radio Sydney or on the ABC listen app.

Plus tune into Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney all this week to win tickets to the Bites Food Tours.

23/07/2025

A 14-year-old is now in a stable condition after losing his arm in a jet ski crash in Sydney's south on Tuesday.

A 15-year-old boy, also on the jet ski, died at the scene after it hit an "obstacle" on the Georges River.

Read more:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-23/nsw-jet-ski-crash-sylvania-two-teenage-boys/105562860?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

23/07/2025

A 14-year-old is now in a stable condition after losing his arm in a jet ski crash in Sydney's south on Tuesday.

A 15-year-old boy, also on the jet ski, died at the scene after it hit an "obstacle" on the Georges River.

A family friend of the injured teenager said the barges near Tom Uglys Bridge were "like a blind spot".

Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

The classmates of a 15-year-old boy killed in a jet ski collision have gathered at the crash site near a river in Sylvania to pay tribute after the incident on Tuesday.

23/07/2025

Warning: This story contains details of alleged sexual abuse which may distress some readers.

A sitting MP, two alleged assaults, eight weeks of evidence and barely anyone watching. Inside the quiet courtroom where Gareth Ward stands trial accused of sexual abuse.

Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

A sitting MP, two alleged assaults, eight weeks of evidence and barely anyone watching. Inside the quiet courtroom where Gareth Ward stands trial accused of sexual abuse.

23/07/2025

Heavy metal pioneer Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76.

A statement from his family said: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.

"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time."

Described as one of the founders of heavy metal music, John Michael Osbourne, or the "Prince of Darkness", was known for his incredible voice, charisma and wild lifestyle.

He is survived by his wife Sharon and his six children: Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack as well as Elliot Kingsley, the son of his first wife from a previous relationship, whom he adopted.

Full story:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-23/ozzy-osbourne-dies/104766804?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

23/07/2025

A woman has recalled the moment NSW Police officers forced entry into her home and allegedly assaulted her.

The alleged battery occurred during a mental health welfare check in 2021 in Western Sydney.

Civil proceedings have been launched against the force, who defend the actions of attending officers as lawful.

If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Su***de Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 13 92 76
- Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- ReachOut at au.reachout.com
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- QLife 1800 184 527

Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

Body-worn camera footage has shown the moment a woman was pepper sprayed and her dog tasered during a mental health welfare check by NSW Police.