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French parliament votes to ban airport expansions and short flights
France’s National Assembly has approved a wide-ranging climate change bill that will prevent airport expansions, ban open-air terrace heaters and reduce packaging waste.
- by Reuters
Experts warn of ‘horrible’ weeks ahead as India’s COVID-19 crisis deepens
One public health expert was left bewildered when Indian policymakers told him the situation would improve within days.
- by Aniruddha Ghosal
Letters
Letters
India ban a cynical appeal to Australia’s innate racism
The reasons Australian citizens may be in India are immaterial.
New climate service to help Australia bounce back from natural disasters
A new Australian Climate Service will be established to guide the national recovery agency as it looks at ways to make the country more resilient to future natural disasters.
- by Katina Curtis
In the Herald: May 5, 1931
Annie Louisa Dowell has been convicted on a charge of deceiving by a subtle craft.
- by Harry Hollinsworth
Setback for Australian bubble hopes with Singapore on new virus alert
The business hub has tightened restrictions on its population and on incoming travellers as it confronts its first significant cluster of COVID-19 cases in months.
- by Chris Barrett
90 minute presidency: Upper house chaos as NSW MPs bicker over plum role
Gladys Berejiklian’s preferred candidate, Natasha Maclaren-Jones, was president for 1.5 hours before being ousted by her colleague Matthew Mason-Cox.
- by Alexandra Smith and Lucy Cormack
Plot to import heroin into NSW foiled after tip-off from Chinese authorities: Police
A tip-off from Chinese authorities has led to the arrests of a teenage girl and 23-year-old man, charged with drug offences.
- by Daniella White
Shaw’s view from coach’s box: Buckley is not the issue
Magpies icon Tony Shaw, who sat in the Collingwood coach’s box for the first time since his last game at the helm, said of Nathan Buckley: “I think the bloke can coach.”
- by Jake Niall
NDIS chief ‘deeply regrets’ anxiety over independent assessments
The chief of the National Disability Insurance Scheme believes it has become too bureaucratic, with participants having to “explain and justify” every aspect of their lives to a stranger.
- by Jewel Topsfield
‘More agitated than normal’: McCartin rubbed out for five matches despite blood sugar claim
Claiming that he had been unusually agitated because of low blood sugar levels was not enough to save Paddy McCartin from a five-match suspension at the VFL tribunal.
- by Daniel Cherny
Mobile phones, bushfires and COVID-19: How Ginger Meggs has evolved with the times
Changes are made gradually, but the Ginger Meggs of 2021 has a racially diverse group of friends and speaks like a modern Australian kid, rather than using catchphrases like “ripper!” and “you beaut!“.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Woman, on her knees, begs PM to stop violence in Cameroon
Cameroon, which is divided between a French-speaking majority and English-speaking minority, has been gripped by violence since 2016
- by Nick Bonyhady
Updated
Australian cricket
Postponement of IPL leaves Australian players stranded in India
The sensational development came after a member of David Warner’s team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, became the latest player to test positive to coronavirus.
- by Andrew Wu and Malcolm Conn
Updated
Gymnastics
Coaches must be held accountable: gymnastics whistleblowers speak out
Former gymnasts Livia Giles and Mary-Anne Monckton have spoken up about the Australian Human Rights Commission’s damning report of abuse in the sport.
- by Greg Baum and Anthony Colangelo
Government intervention is complicating renewable energy revolution
Investors and private enterprise say government intervention in the energy market is making the transition from fossil fuels to renewables more challenging.
- by Mike Foley and Peter Hannam
Updated
AFL 2021
Umpires coach Kennedy leaves AFL suddenly
AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy - in the role since 2013 - has resigned with the decision to take effect after round 10.
- by Sam McClure
Multiple deaths after Mexico City rail overpass collapses
At least 23 people were killed and 65 hurt when an overpass carrying Mexico City metro train cars partially collapsed on to a road on Monday night, authorities said.
- by Anthony Esposito and Noe Torres
Updated
NRL off-field behaviour
‘Setting a bad example’: Burgess’ 32 traffic offences before he was caught driving with cocaine
Sam Burgess has avoided recording a conviction for driving with cocaine in his system in February and will remain on the road despite a history of 32 traffic offences since the former NRL star arrived in Australia in 2010.
- by Sarah Keoghan
‘Unethical and improper’: Inner West mayor had conflict of interest over call for apology, tribunal finds
Darcy Byrne is facing potential suspension after a tribunal found him guilty of allegations arising out of a stoush over a plan to develop part of Marrickville.
- by Angus Thompson
‘Fairness and justice’: Family of Indigenous teen look forward to officer facing court
The family of an Indigenous boy who was allegedly assaulted by a NSW police constable in Surry Hills almost a year ago say they look forward to seeing fairness and justice when the matter is heard in court.
- by Laura Chung
Games streak ends: Gryan Miers to miss grand final rematch against Tigers
The consecutive games run of Geelong’s Gryan Miers, which started with his debut in 2019, has finished after he suffered a small hairline fracture of the fibula against the Swans last Saturday night.
- by Peter Ryan
Nine shares rise as Stan Sport subscriptions revealed
Stan gained nearly 150,000 sport subscribers since it began broadcasting rugby union matches earlier this year.
- by Zoe Samios
German authorities bust child porn site with 400,000 users
The site included forums where members from around the globe exchanged images and videos showing children being sexually abused.
- by Melissa Eddy
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
PM considers Victorian quarantine proposal
Scott Morrison says his government will “look in good faith” at Victoria’s proposed 500-bed quarantine facility, but there is a question mark over how much money he will commit to it.
- by Aisha Dow and Rachel Clun
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
‘I don’t feel stranded’: Australian volunteer in India busy helping his neighbours
He has tested positive to COVID-19 twice but volunteer teacher Tom Delaney is in no hurry to leave India.
- by Matt Wade
Exclusive
Gig economy
Leong was expecting $9600 in bonuses. Now his Uber account’s at zero
The delivery giant alleges some people claimed payments they weren’t entitled to but drivers and their union say the rewards have been withdrawn without clear explanation.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Court selects two candidates to appear on ballot against Assad
Bashar al-Assad has ruled Syria for 21 years, his father ruled for 30 before him.
- by Kinda Makieh
‘Bold and ambitious’: Cockatoo Island to be transformed with shops, bars and performance spaces
Sydney Harbour’s largest island would incorporate a creative precinct, eateries and waterfront parkland under plans to turn it into a “must-see destination”.
- by Megan Gorrey
RBA more bullish on economy as it holds rates at record low
Governor Philip Lowe says the central bank now expects GDP to expand by 4.75 per cent this year, up from a forecast of 3.5 per cent in February.
- by Shane Wright and Jennifer Duke
Opinion
Body image
Billie Eilish posed in lingerie for Vogue – but does it matter what we think?
The 19-year-old singer, known for her baggy clothing, has undergone a pin-up “transformation”. And while many have praised her shoot as empowering, others have criticised her for sexualising herself.
- by Jenna Guillaume
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
AMA calls for withdrawal of jail threat for India returnees
Until now the doctors’ group was yet to formalise its position on the contested measure. Today it called the move an “overreach”.
- by Aisha Dow and Rachel Clun
Biden backtracks on refugees, raises six-month limit to 62,500
The action comes two weeks after Biden announced he was leaving Trump’s limit of 15,000 refugees in place contrary to his campaign promise.
- by Michael D. Shear and Zolan Kanno-Youngs
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Grey zone conflict and the drums of war as tensions between Australia and China escalate
Today on Please Explain, Nathanael Cooper is joined by foreign affairs and national security correspondent Anthony Galloway to look at the growing tensions between Australia and China.
- by Nathanael Cooper
Bill and Melinda Gates’ divorce shakes health, philanthropic worlds
Their foundation has played a significant role in the global response to the pandemic, early vaccine candidates and helping shape COVAX.
- by David Gelles, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Nicholas Kulish
Ronald Brierley forfeits knighthood after guilty plea to child abuse material
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern initiated the process in April and in a statement on Tuesday said the Queen had been informed.
- by Sarah McPhee and Georgina Mitchell
The Googleplex of the future has privacy robots, meeting tents and your very own balloon wall
Google’s first office was a cluttered Silicon Valley garage crammed with desks resting on sawhorses. Its new work spaces are going to be something that looks like a combination of Ikea and Lego.
- by Daisuke Wakabayashi
‘Space station on Earth’: plans for nuclear-powered superyacht for billionaire travellers
Earth 300 founder Aaron Olivera says the vessel will capture ’the spirit of Silicon Valley, SpaceX, Davos, the Olympics and Disney”.
- by Chris Barrett
NSW’s plan to manufacture mRNA vaccines locally
The state government has convened a team of scientists to determine how the high-tech vaccines and a range of treatments can be made locally.
- by Kate Aubusson and Alexandra Smith
Mall giant Vicinity says shoppers are staying for longer and spending more
Australia’s second largest retail landlord Vicinity Centres says shoppers are spending more money on each visit to its centres, an early sign of recovery for the nation’s hard-hit shopping malls.
- by Simon Johanson
‘He can tear us to bits’: Dutton not leaving until the mission is accomplished
The defence portfolio has been let down by the high turnover of ministers over the past decade. Dutton says he is committed to being around for a long time yet.
- by Anthony Galloway
‘Benji is inspiring me’: The moment Karmichael Hunt targeted NRL return
It was while watching his beloved Broncos cop one of their biggest losses that the code-hopping star first got the itch to return to the club.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Opinion
Federal budget
On budget night, here’s how we’ll know if Scott Morrison really cares about women
The Prime Minister has been lucky - but how will he choose to use his luck?
- by Ross Gittins
Australia’s economic recovery leading the world: Macquarie chief
Macquarie chief Shemara Wikramanayake has delivered the latest upbeat view on the Australian economy despite the slow vaccine rollout.
- by Clancy Yeates
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
The world is watching. And it is wondering what this draconian decision says about Australia’s character
Sometimes, outsiders see what is happening more clearly than we do ourselves.
- by Bevan Shields
Updated
Super Rugby
‘They think it’s their year’: Punchy Brumbies heap grand final pressure on Reds
The Brumbies have not pulled any punches before Saturday’s Super Rugby AU grand final against the Reds.
- by Sam Phillips
CSL open to new manufacturing options after AstraZeneca production
The biotech giant says it can hit the 50 million dose mark by December and is in talks with the government about how else it can help fight the pandemic.
- by Emma Koehn
‘Second Steele dossier’ on Donald Trump’s sexual exploits produced for FBI
The dossier is believed to be raw intelligence that makes claims of Russian meddling and sex tapes.
- by Robert Mendick
‘Blood on your hands’: PM labels Slater’s India ban comments ‘absurd’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has denied he has “blood on his hands” after cricket great Michael Slater said the India flight ban was a “disgrace”.
- by Sarah McPhee
Pfizer-BioNTech jab to be approved for younger teens in US next week
The companies earlier this month applied to the FDA for potential approval of the vaccine, which has already been cleared for people aged 16 and above.
- by Trisha Roy
Updated
WTA Tour
‘Whether it’s one or 100, as a person, I couldn’t care less’: Barty extends lead at top of rankings
Ash Barty won the battle of the last two French Open champions after world No.2 Naomi Osaka crashed out of the Madrid Open, cementing the Australian’s spot as world No.1.
- by Sam Phillips
Analysis
China relations
Tesla and Elon Musk are on thin ice with China
A company that often treats authorities with insolence is getting some of its own medicine. How Elon Musk handles the issue will determine his success, not just in China but around the world.
- by Anjani Trivedi
Updated
Billionaires
Bill and Melinda Gates to divorce after 27 years of marriage
In a statement, the pair said “we no longer believe we can grow together.”
- by Dina Bass, Devon Pendleton and Sophie Alexander
‘Imagine the memes’: After El Chapo, Mexico frets about release of another drug lord
Mexico is beginning to earn a reputation as a government that has released more drug lords than it has captured.
Big shoes to fill: Warren Buffett names his successor
Replacing Warren Buffett won’t be easy. But that’s the path ahead for Greg Abel.
- by Katherine Chiglinsky
US and Britain tell China and Russia: we will push back
Even without its broader alliance, the G7 still packs a punch: combined it is much bigger than China both economically and militarily.
- by William James and Guy Faulconbridge
ASX set for gains on the back of Wall Street’s bright start to May
The S&P 500 and the Dow rose amid a largely upbeat earnings season but tech shares slid lower on Wall Street.
- by Shreyashi Sanyal and Krystal Hu
Locals accuse government of rehashing plans over Harbour Bridge cycleway
The release of long awaited concepts upgrading Sydney’s busiest bicycle route was met with mixed and passionate reactions from Milsons Point locals as well as the city’s cyclists.
- by Angus Thompson and Josh Dye
India travel ban unconstitutional, made under ‘dictatorial power’: Geoffrey Robertson
International human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC says powers used to enact India travel ban undermine the rule of law.
- by Tammy Mills
Aged care sector concerned government won’t fund minimum staff levels
Worker Josie Peacock says staff are physically and mentally exhausted, as peak bodies say the government must fund minimum staffing hours now.
- by Rachel Clun
Exclusive
China relations
Conflict with China a ‘high likelihood’, says 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.
- by Nick McKenzie and Anthony Galloway
Exclusive
NSW ice inquiry
‘A disgrace’: Ice inquiry commissioner accuses government of ignoring calls for reform
Professor Dan Howard SC said he was deeply disappointed with the government’s failure to respond to the majority of his recommendations in the wake of the landmark inquiry.
- by Angus Thompson
Teenager charged over alleged carjacking in Sydney’s west
A 16-year-old has been charged after he allegedly carjacked a delivery driver at Bidwell, in Sydney’s west.