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Major children’s hospital had infected staff; Sydney steakhouse closes after case
Five healthcare workers have tested positive to COVID-19 at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, while in Sydney a Hurricane’s Grill branch has closed for deep cleaning.
- by Rachael Dexter and Craig Butt
NSW government to consider more restrictions on 'high-risk' activities
Premier Gladys Berejiklian categorically ruled out pursuing an elimination strategy. But she said she would consider further restrictions if the virus continues to spread.
- by Lisa Visentin
Exclusive
Press freedom
Spy watchdog may look at AFP's documents into George Christensen probe
The spy watchdog may be called in to determine whether secret police documents detailing a probe into the Nationals MP's frequent trips to the Philippines could jeopardise national security.
- by Jonathan Kearsley and Anthony Galloway
UNSW will axe nearly 500 jobs as it struggles amid pandemic
The University of NSW will cut almost 500 full-time jobs and combine three faculties amid the pandemic-induced downturn.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
More top stories
We visited 15 Sydney pubs and found too many gaps in their safety measures
Despite the growing cluster in Casula, three of the venues we visited didn't take personal details.
- by Sarah Keoghan
Paul Hogan on new Dundee film: 'Anything that happens now is a bonus'
It takes something special to get Hogan to work these days. In a new film about the actor and his most famous character, he thinks he's found it.
- by Karl Quinn
Rugby recruiters hit the phones to Gallop, Greenberg in CEO search
Several sports administrators believe RA has a tough sales job on its hands in the search for a permanent chief executive.
- by Georgina Robinson
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Oil
Big oil write-downs are cosmetic, the real story of carnage is yet to be told
It will be the oil majors' underlying profits that will reveal the havoc caused by the coronavirus.
- by Elizabeth Knight
Opinion
NRL 2020
The Zoom call that put Barrett in the box seat for Bulldogs job
Trent Barrett's mistakes in three years at Manly could make him the perfect coach for the next three seasons at Canterbury.
- by Andrew Webster
In Other News
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
The steps NSW Health should have taken when the Ruby Princess docked
NSW Health made three crucial mistakes in the handling of the Ruby Princess when it docked in Sydney in March.
- by Jenny Noyes
Patient zero found: Crossroads cluster began with a Melbourne guest
The outbreak linked to the Crossroads Hotel has swelled to 34 cases, as Health Minister Brad Hazzard described NSW as a "war zone" with the "stealthy virus".
- by Kate Aubusson
Sydney
Teens caught in dangerous surf taken to hospital amid wild seas
An 18-year-old was knocked unconscious by a wave and suffered a head injury, and a 15-year-old suffered a hip injury and back pain.
- by Mary Ward and Matt Bungard
Barber and RFS clash over proposed law to distribute $51 million in donations
Celeste Barber warned the public may not be so generous again if the money didn't go where they intended it to.
- by Carrie Fellner
Builder receives $36,000 fine after sign blocked Sydney harbour views
The construction company behind a swanky apartment complex in the eastern suburbs was fined for an illuminated sign on a crane.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Outrage over sale of sacred Aboriginal totems sees items pulled from auction
The removal coincides with Wednesday's announcement by the federal government to spend $10 million to repatriate and document about 100,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander items held in 194 international collections.
- by Julie Power
COVID-19 provides challenges for coming fire season, royal commission hears
The NSW Rural Fire Service warns firefighting preparations for the coming season could be severely undermined by the coronavirus threat, with potentially hundreds of volunteers at risk at any one time from the virus.
- by Laura Chung and Peter Hannam
From our partners
PALACE PAPERS
Editorial
Palace letters show the Queen has no place in Australian politics
Elizabeth II's role in 1975 is debatable but Australians should not have to call the Palace before taking political decisions.
- The Herald's View
Explainer
What are the Palace Letters, in a nutshell?
Why has the release of 1200 pages of letters from the '70s caused such a stir? Who wrote them? And what do they say?
- by Nick Bonyhady
Politics
Super fund warns retirement changes could limit investment in jobs-boosting projects
A major super fund is warning further changes to the retirement system will undermine the $3 trillion industry's plans to underwrite job-creating projects.
- by Jennifer Duke
Exclusive
Foreign relations
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to slash dozens of jobs
- by Anthony Galloway
Business
ASIC to hand over documents to clarify litigation funders debacle
The corporate watchdog says it is still working on how it will police class action funders despite its new role coming into effect in five weeks.
- by Sarah Danckert, Tammy Mills and Clancy Yeates
World
Malaysia's reaction to 'uncomfortable journalism' a worry: Greste
Alliance of Journalists' Freedom's Peter Greste says Australia should be concerned about any degradation to Malaysia's press freedom.
- by Nicole Precel
Opinion
Equity bulls believe everything is fine. The bond markets know better.
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
History is offering us a lesson - beware the goodwill of future opposition leaders
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor for The Sydney Morning Herald
Most surprising of the Palace letters shines new light on Whitlam
Anne Twomey
Constitutional expert
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Property bydomain
Former pill factory could prove the ideal remedy for weary travellers
In its day, the factory produced mixtures and ointments purported to treat everything from coughs and colds to tumours and blood poisoning.
- by Sue Williams
'Like a tsunami': The beach town drawing cashed-up buyers
City dwellers, returning expats and even celebrities have been clambering to snap up homes here over the last couple of months amid the global pandemic.
- by Allison Worrall
Life & Culture
There's an optimal exercise for everyone. So what's the best for you?
A new study shows that almost everyone responds to the right exercise program, but the right exercise program can differ from person to person.
- by Gretchen Reynolds
Food bygoodfood
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Sport
Opinion
NRL 2020
The Zoom call that put Barrett in the box seat for Bulldogs job
Trent Barrett's mistakes in three years at Manly could make him the perfect coach for the next three seasons at Canterbury.
- by Andrew Webster
Rugby recruiters hit the phones to Gallop, Greenberg in CEO search
Several sports administrators believe Rugby Australia has a tough sales job on its hands in the search for a permanent chief executive.
- by Georgina Robinson
'Leadership starts at the top': Tolman wants clear decisions from Bulldogs board
The club veteran fronted reporters on Wednesday and was bombarded with questions about Dean Pay, who stepped down as coach after the loss to the Broncos.
- by Sam Phillips
Opinion
PGA Tour
Bigger is better: How bulked-up Bryson is changing the face of golf
Props of the world unite. Your time on the golf links is coming, and we may well look back on the day when fancy-pants backs ruled at the Masters with wonder.
- by Peter FitzSimons
Bold Tigers plan could solve Grant-Smith conundrum for Storm
If Cameron Smith decides to play on for another season, Melbourne risk losing his natural successor.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Pucovski targeting baggy green in 'next couple of years'
Will Pucovski is targeting a baggy green cap in the next couple of years and is taking a course in mind skills in a bid to share some of the techniques which have helped him deal with his demons.
- by Daniel Cherny
Dragons and Bulldogs consider Lafai-Harawira-Naera player swap
A radical swap deal could result in reinstated Canterbury forward Corey Harawira-Naera trading places with Dragons centre Tim Lafai.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Have Your Say
All hail Peter V'landys: Controversial changes get thumbs up from players
The game has never been in better shape, according to the NRL Players' Poll results.