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Coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus updates LIVE: Victorians brace for more deaths despite falling case numbers; NSW on alert as Sydney school cluster grows
Australia has recorded its deadliest day so far in the coronavirus pandemic but there are hopes Victoria's coronavirus case numbers are stabilising, as NSW is on alert for growing school clusters.
- by Marissa Calligeros
Opinion
Web culture
Silicon Valley should fear Trump's tech aggression
Silicon Valley has always been wary of China's model of protectionism and censorship. They should be looking closer to home.
- by James Titcomb
World markets
Mixed night on Wall Street as investors move to value stocks
Investors extended a rotation into value stocks from heavyweight tech-related names while awaiting news on progress in a US fiscal support bill.
- by Caroline Valetkevitch
Coronavirus pandemic
Italian restaurants are reopening plague-era 'wine windows' for coronavirus trade
Between the Black Death in the 1300s and the Italian Plague in the 1600s, wine merchants in Tuscany built the windows to protect buyers and sellers.
- by Natalie B. Compton
World elections
Belarus election was not free and fair, US Secretary of State Pompeo says
"We strongly condemn ongoing violence against protesters and the detention of opposition supporters," said the US Secretary of State.
- by Eric Beech
Coronavirus pandemic
NBL forms taskforce to plan for new season
NBL owner Larry Kestelman has formed a return to competition taskforce to help the league decide how and when they can start the 2020-2021 season.
- by Roy Ward
Putin's Russia
Slovakia expels three Russian diplomats, cites abuse of visas
The expulsions are connected with the murder of a former Chechen rebel with Georgian citizenship in Berlin last summer.
- by Jan Lopatka
Tragedy
Lebanon's entire government resigns amid fury over Beirut blast
Announcing the resignation of the entire cabinet, Lebanon's Prime Minister blamed decades of "systemic corruption" for the explosion.
- by Bevan Shields
Coronavirus pandemic
Global coronavirus cases hit 20 million as pandemic accelerates
It took almost six months to reach 10 million cases after the first infection was reported in China in early January. It took just 43 days to double that tally to 20 million.
Courts
McDonald's sues ousted CEO, alleging employee relationships
The fast food giant alleges that former CEO Stephen Easterbrook covered up relationships with other employees and destroyed evidence.
- by Dee-Ann Durbin
China relations
China sanctions 11 US politicians, officials over action on Hong Kong
Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the 11 had "performed badly" on issues concerning Hong Kong.
Coronavirus pandemic
As customers avoid indoor venues, government pushes for outdoor dining
Planning Minister Rob Stokes says the government will work with councils to find ways to support outdoor dining and entertainment.
- by Alexandra Smith
Exclusive
NRL 2020
'More Bankwests': Barilaro reveals government will back NRL suburban stadiums
The NRL is eager to restore tribalism by having new boutique, 20,000-seat stadiums built around Sydney. The Deputy Premier says the government has the appetite for it.
- by Chris Barrett
Exclusive
School funding
Governments should fully fund private primary schools, says Piccoli
Schools could continue to charge fees, but those that did would forfeit government funding, says former NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli.
- by Jordan Baker
Industrial relations
Unions want Australians, not backpackers, to get fruit-picking jobs
Unions say the border closure is an opportunity to stop backpackers being exploited on farms and offer working conditions to attract Australians.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Hayne fallout
CBA, AMP and Westpac targeted in potential class actions
CBA, Westpac and AMP face looming potential class actions from law firm Piper Alderman.
- by Clancy Yeates
Exclusive
NRL 2020
Wests Tigers send SOS to former Test captain Clarke about board role
The former Australian cricket captain will consider a position at the joint venture in the future after turning down a recent approach to join the club.
- by Adam Pengilly
Investigation
Perrottet's staff audit over icare labelled a 'sham'
The official tasked with auditing staffing arrangements in Dominic Perrottet's office is a former deputy chairman of icare.
- by Alexandra Smith
Letters
Letters
This recovery will require more than fossilised ideas
The government's over-reliance on gas to drive the economic recovery will lead to negative outcomes for Australia and the planet.
Exclusive
Death
Even in a pandemic, most people shun talk about death and dying
A survey has found 70 per cent of people haven't planned a funeral, or discussed how they want to die or made any provisions for the end of their lives.
- by Julie Power
Australia
In the Herald: 11 August, 1923
Picture theatre opened at Bondi, Humane Society record revenue, and English mails faster service
- by Lyn Maccallum
Coronavirus pandemic
Federal Liberal MP swipes Andrews government over pandemic response
Backbencher Tim Wilson's attack on ABC's Q&A is at odds with some senior Liberal figures.
- by Nick Bonyhady
AFL 2020
'We scratch our heads': Saints coach bemoans lack of help for star recruit
High-priced off-season recruit Bradley Hill had just seven disposals as Geelong issued a reality check to St Kilda.
- by Daniel Cherny
Coronavirus pandemic
Non-government schools told to stick to COVID plan as Tangara cluster swells
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has urged non-government schools and other organisations to stick to COVID-safe protocols.
- by Alexandra Smith and Kate Aubusson
Match report
Reality bites for Saints as Cats pull rank
The Saints entered Monday night's Gabba clash with Geelong as the higher-ranked side but by evening's end, the premiership bona fides of Brett Ratten's side had taken a colossal hit.
- by Daniel Cherny
Coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus updates LIVE: 19 die, 322 infected on Victoria's deadliest day; NSW schools close after positive cases
Victoria has 322 more confirmed coronavirus cases and 19 more people have succumbed to the illness. Meanwhile, the PM said he hoped COVID restrictions, including border closures, would be resolved by Christmas, but now doubts they will.
- by Simone Fox Koob and Marissa Calligeros
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
No 'magic number' to decide when restrictions ease, as Victoria records 322 new cases and 19 deaths
Nineteen Victorians have died of coronavirus in the past day, in the state's biggest daily death toll. There were 322 new cases recorded.
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey and Rachael Dexter
Wallabies
Four Bledisloe Cup matches in New Zealand a possibility
Interim Rugby Australia boss Rob Clarke says while everything is being done to play two matches against New Zealand on home soil, back-up plans were in place.
- by Tom Decent
NRL 2020
McGregor's future back in spotlight at Dragons meeting
Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb confirmed the club would discuss the coach and the side's direction next week.
- by Michael Chammas
NRL 2020
NRL boss says unfair to compare Bennett, Cleary penalties
Ivan Cleary copped the same $20,000 penalty Wayne Bennett received for his COVID breach. The NRL boss explains why.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Sheffield Shield
Hodge steps up but Buchanan misses out in state coaching roles
Brad Hodge is firmly in the hunt to become Victoria's new men's cricket coach but John Buchanan has missed out on the South Australian position.
- by Jon Pierik
Coronavirus pandemic
COVID response splinters along education lines, ABS survey reveals
People with higher levels of education and those born overseas are more likely to be taking substantial measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
- by Shane Wright
AFL Grand Final
Vic government set to have grand final say
The Victorian government will have a say in the AFL's decision on the venue for this year's grand final in the likely event that it cannot be played at the MCG.
- by Jake Niall
Aged care royal commission
'Damn, I am still alive': Lockdown life in aged care
The Aged Care Royal Commission has received 364 submissions from the public about the pandemic, most centre on the isolation of residents separated from loved ones.
- by Julie Power
Unfair dismissal
Scott was fired over a Hitler meme. Now his boss has to pay him $200,000
After a legal battle stretching for almost two years, BP employee Scott Tracey has been compensated for his unfair dismissal.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Opinion
AFL Grand Final
A grand solution to the finale
Since it is just about certain the AFL finale won't be at the MCG, it should be awarded to the home of the leading team.
- by Greg Baum
Updated
World elections
Belarus President claims big election victory as protests erupt
Police beat protesters as strongman Alexander Lukashenko won a record sixth term after garnering more than 80 per cent of votes amid fraud allegations.
- by Yuras Karmanau
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Please Explain podcast: COVID-19 vaccine development 'ticking along'
In this episode, senior culture writer Nathanael Cooper is joined by national science reporter Liam Mannix to discuss the international communities' progress in creating a COVID-19 vaccine.
- by Nathanael Cooper
Australian rugby
'D-Day is coming': Super Eight and state series set to shake up rugby
Rugby Australia has unveiled what will be up for sale in its next broadcast rights package, with a State of Origin-style concept among the new competitions.
- by Tom Decent
Opinion
Political Leadership
Set aside cynicism, Mikakos' midnight tweets reflect the sincerity we need
As any political adviser could tell you, firing off a stream of tweets in the middle of the night is not an ideal way for senior public figures to build strategic credibility.
- by Wendy Tuohy
Literature
Writing NSW faces existential crisis after funding cut
The body faces an uncertain future after the state government rejected its application for ongoing financial support.
- by Jason Steger
Tragedy
Surfer, 44, dies at Collaroy Beach after being dragged under water
A 44-year-old man has died while surfing at Collaroy beach on Monday afternoon.
- by Matt Bungard
Coronavirus pandemic
Hospitals urge retailers to stop selling high-grade masks to public
The peak body for the not-for-profit hospital network, Catholic Health Australia, says national stocks of hospital-grade masks need to be preserved.
- by Anna Patty
Crime
Love My Way actor charged with assaulting director wife
Dan Wyllie, 50, will face court this week charged over an alleged assault on Shannon Murphy.
- by Sally Rawsthorne
Volcanoes
Indonesia volcano spews huge ash cloud in second eruption in three days
The eruption of Mount Sinabung on the island of Sumatra comes after more than a year of inactivity and was the second since Saturday.
- by Angie Teo
Cox Plate
Seven boss sees romance in Cox Plate under lights
Channel Seven head of sport Lewis Martin has not put a line through the prospect of a night-time Cox Plate despite Moonee Valley Racing Club's preference for a 5pm race.
- by Damien Ractliffe
Trump diplomacy
US makes history in Taiwan as 'avenues for peaceful unification evaporate'
Taiwan and the US have kicked off the highest-level meetings between the two governments in decades amid intensifying geopolitical tensions with China.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Balance of power
Rex Patrick quits Centre Alliance to sit as independent
The crossbench senator has blindsided Centre Alliance colleagues by walking out of the party almost three years after he was gifted a plum Parliament seat.
- by Rob Harris
Crime
Former Fiji player 'main offender' in junior league stabbing: police
Ratu Nanovo, 19, is alleged to have stabbed an opponent and two spectators at an under 20s match on Sunday and is due to face court on Tuesday.
- by Sally Rawsthorne
Hong Kong protests
Who is Jimmy Lai, the media tycoon arrested in Hong Kong?
From being smuggled from the mainland on a fishing boat at the age of 12, to founding the Giordano empire and Apple Daily, there was no stopping Lai.
- by Farah Master
Melbourne City
City poised for best ever season if they beat Reds
Melbourne City can finish second and qualify for the Asian Champions League if they beat Adelaide United on Tuesday but they will be without captain Scott Jamieson.
- by Michael Lynch
Earnings season
Aurizon delivers profit and dividend jump, but forecasts a softer half
Rail freight operator Aurizon has beaten market expectations to deliver a full year underlying profit of $531 million and announced a new $300 million buyback.
- by Darren Gray
Water
Inquiry to investigate rationale for fast-tracked dams
Questions have been raised over why those particular projects were selected from dozens proposed.
- by Harriet Alexander
Public transport
Drop in transport use linked to fears over Melbourne outbreak
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance says a recent fall in public transport patronage is likely linked to fears of the coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne.
- by Tom Rabe
AFL 2020
Giants back Davis to play in unusual Sydney derby
Phil Davis injured his knee in the comeback win over Essendon on Friday and played out the second half in the forward line under duress.
- by Anthony Colangelo
Exclusive
IPL
Starc reaches settlement in $1.53 million IPL payout fight
Lawyers opposing Mitchell Starc's $1.53 million case had even sought footage of the fast bowler's 2017-18 Ashes series in a bid to deny his claim.
- by Jon Pierik
Coronavirus pandemic
Thousands of volunteers to help North Korea cope with virus, floods
In Kaesong, volunteers are providing 2100 families most at risk with relief items including tarpaulins, kitchen sets, quilts, hygiene kits and water containers.
- by Hyonhee Shin
Extreme weather
Worst flood in decades swamps parts of the South Coast
For the Soper family, living near the estuary of the Shoalhaven River, 2020 is proving to be a year of natural calamities after the region was hit by bushfires in January and then a series of floods.
- by Peter Hannam
Crime
Police believe shoulder charge incident sparked rugby league stabbing
Bradley Middlebrook was arrested when he reported to Penrith police station on Sunday night as a bail condition for an unrelated stabbing charge earlier this year.
- by Mary Ward and Sally Rawsthorne
Updated
NRL 2020
Death threats 'common' for players in NRL says Storm star
After Giants AFL star received death threats over the weekend, Ryan Papenhuyzen said it was all too common on social media.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Afghanistan
Rogue Afghan soldier who killed Diggers set to be released
The Prime Minister has appealed directly to the US President expressing Australia’s concerns about releasing a rogue Afghan soldier who murdered three Australians.
- by Anthony Galloway
Trump's America
Trump wants his face carved on Mount Rushmore: source
An unnamed official has reportedly approached the office of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noemto ask how an additional president could be added to the monument.
- by David Millward
Hong Kong protests
Hong Kong police raid major news organisation, arrest billionaire owner
Up to 200 Hong Kong police have marched into one of the city's only independent newsrooms and arresting its owner Jimmy Lai on national security charges.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
NRL 2020
'Need to weed them out': V'landys issues warning to players breaking bubble
The ARLC chair has a message for players in teams out of finals contention who might think they can risk breaching the game's biosecurity rules.
- by Chris Barrett
Coronavirus pandemic
Mines on alert as dozens of cases emerge at second PNG site
A 30-year-old is among 26 confirmed cases at the Lihir mine.
- by Swati Pandey
Aged care royal commission
COVID-19 has exposed Australia's aged care sector's flaws, royal commission hears
The death rate for coronavirus in Australia's residential aged care sector is among the highest in the world, the aged care royal commission has heard.
- by Julie Power
Retail
Adairs shares soar after strong subsidy-boosted result
Homewares retailer Adairs has reported a huge jump in sales and profit for the 2020 financial year, in part thanks to a significant stimulus from JobKeeper.
- by Dominic Powell
Immigration
British commander to stop migrants crossing Channel in small boats
Taking advantage of calm sea conditions, hundreds of people including children and pregnant women have made the dangerous crossing in recent days.
- by Sarah Young
Coronavirus pandemic
Sigma boss urges consultation over lockdowns, eyes opportunities
The wholesale pharmacy operator is preparing its balance sheet to spot opportunities despite Victoria's second wave.
- by Emma Koehn
Updated
NRL 2020
NRL hands Cleary heavy punishment for referee comments
The Panthers coach has copped a significant fine for his accusation against match officials, which prompted a furious response from Peter V'landys.
- by Adam Pengilly and Sam Phillips
Mass shooting
Gunmen armed with flamethrowers kill French aid workers in giraffe reserve
The group had been at the reserve for less than an hour when they were shot, their car set aflame and their bodies left in the sand.
Coronavirus pandemic
Faced with a digital divide, one country cancelled the whole school year
The decision was made not just to protect teachers and students from the coronavirus but also to address glaring issues of inequality.
- by Abdi Latif Dahir
Public transport
Spike in reckless 'selfie stunts' on Sydney trains during lockdown
Sydney Trains has recorded more than 2600 incidents of trespassing in the past year, prompting the NSW Transport Minister to plead with the public to stop risking their lives.
- by Tom Rabe
PGA Tour
PGA Championship as it happened: Morikawa matches Woods with win, Day fourth
Jason Day's sole major win came in the PGA Championship five years ago. Three shots back heading into 2020's final round, can the Australian double his tally?
- by James Polson
Coronavirus pandemic
NSW records 14 new cases as Sydney school clusters grow
Five of the new cases were linked to Tangara School for Girls at Cherrybrook in Sydney's north-west, including four students and a household contact.
- by Alexandra Smith and Mary Ward
Updated
PGA Tour
Morikawa's shot of a lifetime ends Day's hopes at PGA Championship
Morikawa joined Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in a unique slice of golf history as Jason Day's late charge was thwarted.
- by Adam Pengilly
Coronavirus pandemic
Wall Street pours cold water on Trump's economic aid plan
The executive actions signed by President Donald Trump are unlikely to provide as much stimulus to the economy as he hopes, say analysts.
- by Eric Martin and Maeve Sheehey
Opinion
Earnings season
The most important, and meaningless, reporting season in history
This reporting season is about much more than just the numbers as companies deal with the biggest crisis the economy has faced in decades.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Tragedy
Beirut blast puts 'Lebanon's future at stake', world leaders told in emergency meeting
Scott Morrison will boost Australia's support for survivors of the deadly Beirut explosion by a further $3 million.
- by Bevan Shields
Coronavirus pandemic
Return of raves: COVID-19 brings back illegal dance parties
Thirty years ago young people created a moral panic with illegal dance parties in secret locations, fueled by ecstasy, acid house and ubiquitous bucket hats. Today, the moral panic in Europe is less about drugs and more about the coronavirus.
- by Alex Marshall, Thomas Rogers and Constant Méheut
Traffic incident
Pedestrian dies after being hit by a car in Epping tunnel
A man was attempting to retrieve an object from the road when he was hit by a car in the Epping tunnel on Monday morning.
- by Mary Ward
World markets
Blind optimism: Eyebrows raised as chief of world's biggest oil company says 'worst is likely behind us'
The world's biggest oil company reported a 73% profit dive but its chief remains confident better times are around the corner. Analysts are not so sure.
- by Ed Clowes
Analysis
Information security
Under the radar: WeChat owner's influence may be difficult to untangle
The owner of Chinese super app WeChat has made investments in all areas of the world's digital economy, with a list of its biggest bets reading like a who's who of tech giants.
- by Hasan Chowdhury and Michael Cogley