Sunrise

Airlines including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Japan Airlines offer complimentary or heavily subsidised hotel stays, spa facilities and domestic flights for passengers with stopovers. Airport facilities now include day-use rooms and spa treatments, with advance bookings typically offering better rates. Points-based flight bookings under 24 hours qualify as transits rather than stopovers, resulting in cheaper reward ticket rates with Qantas and Virgin Australia.

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The New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl 60 in California, with the Patriots aiming to become the most successful team in NFL history. Sydney-born punter Michael Dixon is attempting to become only the third Australian to win a Super Bowl ring, playing a critical role for the Seahawks who enter as favourites. Grammy winner Bad Bunny will perform at the halftime show, with the game broadcast live on Seven and Seven Plus.

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New South Wales police have been granted powers to seize and destroy illegally modified e-bikes following a stunt on Sydney Harbour Bridge. The crackdown targets overpowered bikes that are sold for private property use only but are being ridden illegally on public roads. Parents are advised to check bikes meet the European standard EN15194 before purchase to ensure they are legal and safe for road use.

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Thousands of protesters are expected to demonstrate in Sydney during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit, prompting the deployment of 500 police officers and a ring of steel around the city. Anti-Israel activists have launched Supreme Court action to challenge extraordinary police powers introduced after the Bondi Beach terror attack. Police will allow static assemblies but have banned mobile processions through the city, with negotiations ongoing about protest locations between Town Hall and Hyde Park.

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Opposition leader Sussan Ley addresses her historically low popularity ratings and the Coalition's 18% primary vote support, while One Nation surges to 27%. Lee defends her leadership after reuniting with the Nationals under David Littleproud, dismissing speculation about a potential challenge from Angus Taylor. She emphasises the Coalition's focus on cost-of-living pressures, interest rate rises, and migration policy rather than internal party politics.

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A television presenter explores Tokyo's entertainment scene, visiting a karaoke bar and Team Lab, an immersive interactive art installation where visitors walk barefoot through water-filled rooms with epic light displays. The segment includes a weather forecast for Australian cities and captures the presenter's multiple rule infractions during the art experience.

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American TV host Savannah Guthrie has released another video message directly appealing to the alleged abductors of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who was taken from her home over a week ago. The family has indicated they will pay a ransom reportedly worth six million US dollars in Bitcoin, though authorities have not fully verified the ransom notes. Law enforcement experts note the ambiguous tone of the latest appeal, with some interpreting it as confirmation of life whilst others suggest the language may indicate a more sombre outcome.

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Australian IVF clinics are offering polygenic testing that ranks embryos based on their likelihood of developing traits such as height, intelligence, hair colour, and chronic health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and ADHD. Melbourne IVF and the Virtus Network consider this technology unproven and ethically problematic, distinguishing it from established single-gene screening for conditions like cystic fibrosis and cancer. The NHMRC currently governs IVF practices in Australia, permitting testing only to prevent known genetic conditions that cause suffering, not for traits influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle.

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The fractured coalition faces potential reconciliation as negotiations continue over a proposed deal involving three National Party frontbenchers. The politicians who voted against the Liberals on hate crime legislation would serve a collective six-week suspension before returning to the frontbench next month. Liberal leader Sussan Ley expresses confidence the agreement could be finalised today if no last-minute demands emerge from either side.

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The Australian dollar has reached its highest level against the US dollar in almost two years and is approaching a decades-long high against the Japanese yen, currently trading at 71 cents USD. The currency's strength is attributed to US dollar volatility, Australia's robust economy, and strong commodity prices. Travel experts recommend Australians take advantage of the favourable exchange rates for overseas holidays, particularly to destinations like Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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