Chinese hackers came within minutes of shutting down a series of power stations capable of lighting three million homes in a sneak cyber attack of a sort experts warn are becoming increasingly common – and which could be used to limit Australia’s ability to respond to a military crisis in the future.

Doctors and nurses who move to work in regional Australia will have their university debt completely cleared by the federal government under a new scheme to fill critical GP shortages in the bush.

Sydneysiders have ranked the Harbour City’s once-vibrant night-life among the world’s worst party destinations on its ­global report card.

And in sport, Pat Cummins’ friendship with Steve Smith started many years ago sleeping on the batsman’s couch, but now he’s leaning on his shoulder for support as Australia’s history-making fast bowling captain.

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