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Immerse yourself in long reads of some of the best Good Weekend features.
‘Don’t be a fool’: Police to enforce health orders as NSW records no new cases
Police will crack down on large public or private gatherings over the Australia Day period, as NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 for a seventh straight day.
As more nations impose curfews, scientists ask: Do they work?
While curfews make intuitive sense, it’s very hard to discern their precise effects on viral transmission. Scientists wonder if they might even increase the spread of the coronavirus.
Frydenberg hits out at tech giants for ‘shifting goalposts’ on media code
Tech giants have been accused of doing a disservice to Australians by threatening to shut down their search engines.
Opinion
Workplace
‘Exhausting’: Return to office will be wobbly, handle with care
For some of us, returning to the workplace will be a celebration. But for many, it will also be a struggle.
Wendy Tuohy
Senior writer
Opinion
Australia Day
I handed back my Order of Australia. Margaret Court should be stripped of hers
A doctor explains why she cannot keep her award while tennis legend Margaret Court is honoured under the same system.
Clara Tuck Meng Soo
Hard at first, then Nibal learnt the best thing about Australia
What is it about Australia that makes us the lucky country? Three women share the reasons why they have made their home here.
‘She’ll be right’ wisdom: why people seek to become Australian citizens
Love, career opportunities and safety are among the reasons people apply for Australian citizenship.
‘Freak accident’: Rodeo official dies after being charged by bull
Police say Bruce Green, 62, wasn’t riding but assisting at the Tamworth Rodeo Roundup.
Investigation
Organised crime
Australian police arrest Asia’s ‘Mr Big’ in stunning coup
One of world’s most wanted alleged drug barons, a billionaire dubbed Asia’s El Chapo, is set to finally face justice in Australia after federal police carried out a covert plot to arrest him.
Latrell Mitchell set to sign two-year, $1.75m Rabbitohs deal
South Sydney are looking ahead to life after Wayne Bennett, with the club set to retain one of its biggest stars on a fresh deal until the end of 2023.
Players’ boss against Test stars ‘jumping the queue’ for vaccine
Head of the Australian Cricketers’ Association has hit out at CA’s request to have its stars considered for vaccination before the South Africa tour.
Poirier scores knockout victory over McGregor
Dustin Poirier scored a sensational victory over Conor McGregor at UFC 257, decking him in the second round to put himself in pole position for another crack at the lightweight title.
Rachael was in a yoga class when she realised wellness had a problem
The "Goop-ification" of self-care has pushed many groups to the margins. But the fight is on to make wellness more equitable.
The most UnAustralian Australians of the Year
Our Australia Day Dishonours list is dedicated to the shameless, the unintentionally hilarious, the idiotic, and the self-absorbed of our great land.
Exclusive
Emerald City
The chequered past of Kate Ritchie’s young suitor
John Bell, the former ‘messed-up teenager’ from Victoria, is dating the squeaky clean radio and TV star.
WEEKEND READS
How Bambi Northwood-Blyth perfected the art of dressing for work
The model also shares how her favourite fashion era and family have influenced her style throughout the years.
‘It’s the price I pay’: the line Judith Lucy can’t cross with Denise Scott
The longtime friends and sometime comedy partners found there was a fraction too much talk of friction when putting together their new stand-up show.
Sydney
'I wrapped myself in a damp towel': Sydneysiders risk health inside hot homes
Are Sydney homes "uncomfortably hot" or do our expectations of comfort differ from our parents and grandparents?
Updated
Weather
Safety warnings as heatwave hits after spate of drownings
Hot weather and large swells are putting pressure on emergency services over the coming days after at least four people drowned this week.
Rainfall dampening Blue Mountains fires sparked by lightning
Rainfall is aiding the firefighting efforts of Rural Fire Service crews responding to multiple fires in the Blue Mountains, two of them out of control.
Body of man found in Newcastle harbour
Police are investigating after two people who had been fishing made the grim discovery.
‘Blatant land grab’: War erupts between councils over boundary change plan
Georges River Council’s proposal to take over parts of neighbouring councils has provoked outrage.
SYDNEY FESTIVAL
★★★
Hearts explode as musical theatre returns to the stage
This year’s Sydney Festival will be remembered for its bloody-minded resilience and celebration of something missing from our lives in 2020..
★★★★
Sydney Chamber Choir’s spirit abounds in hope
Under Sam Allchurch’s leadership the choir’s singing is as nuanced and refined as ever.
Politics
US under Biden to test Morrison government's do-little climate stance
US President placed climate action among his top priorities on taking office. Most analysts expect Australia’s relative inaction to get more attention.
Business
CSL tipped for ‘modest’ vaccine earnings as overseas peers soar
The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines has failed to ignite CSL shares despite boosting offshore pharmaceutical firms.
World
Eleven workers trapped in China gold mine rescued
Footage showed the first miner to be rescued, a black blindfold across his eyes, being lifted out of a mine shaft in the morning.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
![The Sydney home buyers and sellers who got in early this year](http://web.archive.org./web/20210124140128im_/https://res.akamaized.net/domain/image/upload/t_web/c_fill,w_1024/c_fill,w_640,h_360/v1611281411/2A2A9082_r8ttos.jpg)
The Sydney home buyers and sellers who got in early this year
Summer is traditionally quiet but this year keen sellers and buyers made an early bid to beat their competition – with surprising results.
!['Not sure I would have been their first choice': Unusual architect pick](http://web.archive.org./web/20210124140128im_/https://res.akamaized.net/domain/image/upload/t_web/c_fill,w_1024/c_fill,w_640,h_360/v1610341068/Curving_to_curate_a_special_outlook._Photo_Peter_Barnes_evfwyf.jpg)
'Not sure I would have been their first choice': Unusual architect pick
A couple with a small-town cottage transformed it into a sunny and stylish new build, with the help of a young architect they found very close to home.
Life & Culture
For years, Van-Anh had a dating rule. She broke it when she met Mark
Although they had nearly diametrically opposed careers in music, a writing retreat in Bali saw them forge a romantic relationship like no other.
Food bygoodfood
Travel bytraveller
Cars bydrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Top 20 most wanted: the NRL’s biggest off-contract stars
With the NRL looking at introducing a transfer window, the Herald unveils the game’s most sought after talent.
Latrell Mitchell set to sign two-year, $1.75m Rabbitohs deal
South Sydney are looking ahead to life after Wayne Bennett, with the club set to retain one of its biggest stars on a fresh deal until the end of 2023.
Players’ boss against Test stars ‘jumping the queue’ for vaccine
Greg Dyer, head of the Australian Cricketers’ Association, has hit out at CA’s request to have its stars considered for vaccination before the South Africa tour.
Why Australian Open champions will take a $1.3 million hit
The winners will take home far smaller pay cheques in 2021 with prizemoney at other events – including next week’s ATP Cup – also copping a hit.
RA pushing ahead with Super Rugby AU plans as Force eye case numbers
The Force are keeping a very close eye on COVID-19 cases in NSW and QLD with the Super Rugby season now just three weeks away.
Quarantine Cup: TA schedule new tournament for locked-down stars
Tennis Australia and the WTA have arranged a tournament for 28 women players who had to do 14 days’ hard quarantine after arriving down under.
Hopes of a finals game in Sydney fade as Thunder, Sixers fall down BBL ladder
A Sydney Big Bash final is looking increasingly unlikely after the Adelaide Strikers toppled the Sydney Thunder on Sunday afternoon before the Hobart Hurricanes claimed victory against the Sydney Sixers.
Have Your Say
Cummins and goings: Paine has done a sterling job, but it might be time for change at top
Australia’s approach, tactics and lack of imagination were exposed by a tremendous Indian effort. Lessons must be learnt.
Geoff Lawson
Cricket columnist