Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Coronavirus newsletter
An update on the most crucial developments related to the pandemic.
Note from Editor
An exclusive newsletter for subscribers from Lisa Davies.
Restrictions return amid search for new variant’s mystery spreader
A newer variant of COVID-19 is believed to be circulating in Sydney, as the city is hit with fresh restrictions ahead of Mother’s Day weekend.
‘I was blown away’: Eastern suburbs residents turn up for COVID-19 testing
Sydney residents braved blustery conditions to be tested for coronavirus on Thursday as more venues were added to the list of potential exposure sites.
Porter seeks court order to keep parts of ABC defence confidential
Christian Porter and the ABC are at loggerheads over the public release of the broadcaster’s written defence to his defamation claim.
Hayne supporters in angry scuffle outside court after NRL star jailed for five years
The footballer was jailed for five years and nine months for assaulting a 26-year-old woman in her Newcastle home in September 2018 while his taxi waited outside.
Exclusive
Carbon pricing
Adopt carbon tariffs to reduce income of oil-rich states, Europe says
Senior European officials say the move to phase out fossil fuels will reduce the income of oil-rich authoritarian states and ease geopolitical tensions.
Exclusive
Industrial relations
One of Australia’s most powerful unions is splintering as leaders fight for control
The union, which counts more than 100,000 members and has been a major player in the Labor party, has been riven by internal battles since 2019.
Jobs our focus, not soaring house prices: RBA
The Reserve Bank says while high house prices are a legitimate concern, pushing up interest rates is not the answer.
Hussey to be airlifted to Chennai as players begin long journey home
Michael Hussey’s IPL franchise want their batting coach to be closer to the team’s base so they can provide him with better medical care in his recovery from COVID-19.
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Sydney’s unlucky community case becomes the ultimate barbecue stopper
As Sydney imposes restrictions again, one unlucky man has had his every movement scrutinised – including visiting multiple barbecue shops.
Dom Knight
Writer, broadcaster and co-founder of The Chaser and Giant Dwarf
Rabbitohs 0 Storm 50
Match report
Six again: Josh Addo-Carr rewrites record books as Storm thump Souths
The Storm winger became the first man since Newtown’s Jack Troy in 1950 to score six tries in a premiership match as Melbourne thrashed Souths 50-0.
Opinion
Dividends
Yes, bank dividends are back but let’s not party like it’s 2019
Banks haven’t let the COVID crisis go to waste, taking the opportunity to cut their payout ratios to shareholders happy to grab what they can.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
Forget Tinder and MAFS – can science fix these broken hearts?
A spate of recent shows propose that DNA can explain the secrets of the heart. What happens next shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Analysis
Media & marketing
Lachlan Murdoch’s visit to Seven sparks News chatter
With one of the senior members of the Murdoch family in town at a pivotal juncture for the company, the rumour mill has understandably gone into overdrive.
How do you solve a problem like social distancing? Rely on your unique skills
When you put musicians together, they want to get as close to each other as possible. COVID-19 forced the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra to come up with another plan.
Sydney
Updated
Racing integrity
Racehorse trainer Kim Waugh charged with animal cruelty
The trainer and wife of former cricketer Mark Waugh is preparing to clear her name after Racing NSW issued charges against her over the treatment of a racehorse.
Follow the leader: Labor’s mass walk-out amid question time chaos
In the latest chaotic scenes to erupt at State Parliament this week, Labor walked out en masse after Speaker Jonathan O’Dea kicked Opposition Leader Jodi McKay out of the house after she refused to follow his orders.
Updated
Crime
‘Stuart is safe’: MacGill’s partner still fearful following alleged kidnapping
On Wednesday, news broke that the 50-year-old spin bowler had been allegedly kidnapped from outside his home on Sydney’s lower north shore by four men including the brother of his partner.
Dozens of Sydney bus services cut in eastern suburbs transport overhaul
More than 20 bus routes will be cut from Sydney’s eastern suburbs and another 23 “modified” as part of a major overhaul of the region’s transport system.
‘There is no time limit’: Jack de Belin jury could keep deliberating into next week
The jury in the trial of footballers Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair has signalled they may continue deliberating into next week to reach a unanimous verdict.
Politics
Exclusive
Government grants
Government diverted cash from $31m safer communities grants to ineligible projects
Assistant Minister Jason Wood handpicked projects to receive taxpayer funds in a decision that cut funding to 80 recommended projects.
Business
Rio Tinto investors revolt against ex-CEO pay after cave blast crisis
Rio Tinto investors have opposed a lucrative exit package given to the miner’s ex-CEO despite the blasting of the Juukan Gorge occurring under his watch.
World
Updated
Brexit
France sends patrol boats as tensions flare with UK on fish
French fishermen angry over loss of access to waters off their coast have gathered their boats in protest off the English Channel island of Jersey.
Opinion
Open windows, wear a mask: How to stay safe on Mother’s Day
Raina MacIntyre
Head of the Biosecurity Research Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Medicine.
Explore
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Property bydomain
What's the best way to take advantage of ultra-low interest rates?
A booming market makes upgrading challenging, but buying a bigger and better home isn't the only thing owners can do to take advantage of the conditions.
Why are some sellers copping losses of up to 40 per cent?
Even though we're in a hot market, these are the properties experiencing price drops, with vendors struggling to recoup what they paid.
Life & Culture
What is ‘cheugy’? Only the latest Gen Z v Millennial tiff
The term is being used to describe people who are still following a trend long after it was cool. But we all have a little bit of cheug in us.
Sport
Rabbitohs 0 Storm 50
Match report
Six again: Josh Addo-Carr rewrites record books as Storm thump Souths
The Storm winger became the first man since Newtown’s Jack Troy in 1950 to score six tries in a premiership match as Melbourne thrashed Souths 50-0.
Jarryd Hayne jailed for five years and nine months for sexual assault
The former NRL footballer assaulted a 26-year-old woman in her Newcastle home in September 2018 while his taxi waited outside.
Opinion
NRL 2021
Johns brothers won’t be ‘laying out witches’ hats’ for Samoa coach Parish
Matthew Johns has rejected calls from the Samoan coach to be his assistant as the battle to coach the Pacific nation intensifies.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Hussey to be airlifted to Chennai as players begin long journey home
Michael Hussey’s IPL franchise want their batting coach to be closer to the team’s base so they can provide him with better medical care in his recovery from COVID-19.
Updated
NRL 2021
V’landys says ‘next 48 hours crucial’ in deciding fate of Magic Round
It may require the players to return to life in a bubble, but the NRL’s biosecurity expert is confident Magic Round in Brisbane will proceed as planned.
‘He wouldn’t let Queensland down’: Eels coach backs Mahoney for Origin
Reed Mahoney, the Eels No. 9 with cauliflower ears and a liking for laser hair removal on his legs and buttocks, is glad to be in the Maroons’ Origin debate.
Tszyu to beat Zerafa by knockout, predicts Horn
Having been in the ring with both Tim Tszyu and Michael Zerafa, former world champion Jeff Horn is uniquely qualified to predict a winner.
Have Your Say
The Brumbies start fast and the Reds finish strong. Who wins the rest?
Queensland and the Brumbies are the last two sides left standing in Super Rugby AU, and the form guide shows how tightly contested the final will be.