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China relations
Conflict with China a ‘high likelihood’: top Australian general
The former head of Australia’s special forces told his troops that we were already engaged in a “grey zone” war with China, and worse could well be around the corner.
COVID-19 CRISIS
Doubt over local mRNA plans as major companies pull out of Australia
Vaccine experts say it would take at least $250m plus support from a big pharmaceutical company to set up mRNA manufacturing in Australia, cooling hopes of a local jab in the next year.
India travel ban made under ‘dictatorial power’: renowned lawyer Geoffrey Robertson
International human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC says powers used to enact India travel ban undermine the rule of law and are unconstitutional.
‘If there were 10,000 Australians with white skin would they have done the same thing? No’
Furious community leaders have accused the federal government of imposing “racist” jail terms on Australians who return from India amid a wider row over the secrecy involved in the emergency controls on citizen rights.
Breaking
Divorce
Bill and Melinda Gates to ‘end their marriage’
Billionaire Bill Gates and Melinda Gates said in a joint statement that they have made the decision to end their marriage.
Prince Harry hits the stage with Hollywood stars at Vax Live
Prince Harry called for vaccines to be “distributed to everyone everywhere” while Jennifer Lopez embraced her fully vaccinated mother at the star-studded concert.
Baz Luhrmann on why the critics got it wrong about Moulin Rouge
Almost exactly 20 years after the movie had its world premiere opening Cannes, the director remembers the negativity he faced making it.
Researchers urge caution over use of unproven, costly IVF ‘add-ons’
Most women undergoing IVF are using add-on therapies for which there is no proof and researchers warn the money would be better spent on more cycles of IVF.
State action alone could lead to nation hitting emissions targets
Even if the federal government takes no action, the states’ own efforts to reduce climate change would enable Australia to meet current emission reduction targets.
Opinion
Climate policy
States of disarray: Australia needs a national climate plan
States are forging ahead on climate action, but Australia needs a national strategy to reduce emissions at lowest cost over coming decades.
Tony Wood
Schools already shedding ‘white-washed’ version of history
A review of Australia’s curriculum found numerous concerns, including a lack of “truth-telling” about the experiences of First Nations.
Exclusive
National security
Taxpayers could be on the hook for millions if Chinese owner forced to sell Port of Darwin
Parliamentary Budget Office analysis two years ago estimated the government would have to pay $30 million in compensation to Landbridge if the company had to give up the port.
Eagles had ‘no idea’ they were using a white supremacist gesture
The West Coast Eagles say players who posed for a photo while making a hand gesture adopted by white supremacists made an innocent mistake.
coronavirus crisis
Everything you need to know about getting a vaccine from now
Who can get a vaccine now in Victoria? Where do you book and what should you expect on the day?
‘C’mon Victoria, let’s get vaccinated’: Vaccine hubs open doors to people aged 50 and over
There were more people than expected at one of Melbourne’s mass COVID-19 vaccination centres and confusion at others as inoculation clinics in the state officially opened to everyone over 50.
Local
Aged care worker sacked for refusing flu jab
The decision is the second by the Fair Work Commission in recent weeks to back an employer who sacked a staff member for turning down a flu vaccination.
Emma loves her job but as economic lifelines are cut, she could soon lose it
The balancing act of propping up newly employed workers like Emma and transitioning out of eye-watering economic supports will be an acute challenge for the May 20 state budget.
Record numbers of pregnant women, new mums seek support
As demand for perinatal anxiety support hits an all-time high, two common emotions mothers report are fear and shame, according to Gidget Foundation CEO Arabella Gibson.
Maternal health nurse hangs up her stethoscope after almost 60 years
Retiring maternal nurse Margaret Hazelton said struggling mothers often only needed these simple words of encouragement to thrive: “You’re doing a good job.”
Melbourne, Sydney property prices slow after record-breaking boom
Sydney and Melbourne house prices increased by tens of thousands of dollars last month but there are now signs the record-breaking national property boom has peaked.
Politics
Exclusive
Income tax
Lib eyes crossbench support for low-income tax cut if excluded from budget
A Liberal backbencher is threatening to amend the government’s upcoming budget in the Senate unless it includes permanent tax cuts for low-income earners.
Business
Music streaming giant Spotify funnels subscription income out of Australia
Music streaming giant Spotify has quietly shifted its subscription revenue out of Australia, moving it through its head office in Sweden instead.
World
Facebook panel to reveal if Trump will regain megaphone
Facebook’s Oversight Board will soon announce whether former President Donald Trump will be able to return to the platform.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
'Potentially overvalued': Inner-city unit prices defy plunging rents
Buyers are willing to pay more for CBD apartments even as the rents they could receive are falling, but a top economist warns prices could take a hit.
'Utterly public': Living in a house above a pub, train-spotting optional
The upstairs of the Carringbush Hotel has been retrieved from sticky carpet status to a stylish home with one of the most public bathrooms imaginable.
Life & Culture
‘Viewing has fundamentally changed’: TV executives eye ratings shakeup
“I think the industry is a bit silly to put out the smallest possible number at 9.05am the next day,” says Seven chief executive James Warburton.
Sport
Exclusive
AFL 2021
Time to deliver: Magpie leaders put heat on De Goey to perform
Collingwood’s leaders have left Jordan De Goey in no doubt that his performance against Gold Coast was below par and they expect a lift from him as they attempt to reverse the team’s poor form.
Updated
Gymnastics
Gymnasts detail abuse, body-shaming in rights report
Some gymnasts tell of sexual abuse. Others tell of rampant body shaming. Then there was the physical abuse. These are just some of the things detailed to the human rights commission’s investigation into gymnastics in Australia.
Updated
VFL
‘He’s very remorseful’: McCartin bracing for ban after VFL punch caught on camera
The former No.1 draft pick has dealt his own hopes of returning to the AFL a significant blow, a month out from the mid-season rookie draft.
Updated
IPL
Raft of positive tests plunges IPL into further turmoil
The Indian Premier League has been rocked by another COVID-19 scare, with Kolkata Knight Riders players and staff isolating after multiple players fell ill.
Umpires threaten to boycott suburban footy over pay dispute
Essendon District Football League umpires have voted to boycott all games this weekend unless the league agrees to pay umpires what they were paid in 2019.
Eagles players had ‘no idea’ they were using a white supremacist gesture
The West Coast Eagles say players who posed for a photo while making a hand gesture adopted by white supremacists made an innocent mistake.
‘Babes in the woods’: Former Dee delivers blunt warning
Russell Robertson, the former high-flying Demon, has cast his mind back to 2005 in warning Simon Goodwin’s team they have not achieved anything - yet.
Have Your Say
Young Blue Walsh is ‘a massive Brownlow chance’
Sam Walsh is playing just his third season in the AFL, but this week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Greg Baum discuss the Blues and their young star, arguing that he has to be a contender for the Brownlow Medal this season.
