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First-home buyers get budget help in hot market
Australians will be given more help to buy their first homes in a federal budget boost that offers loan guarantees and more scope for people to use superannuation to save a deposit.
ABC claims there were ‘reasonable grounds’ for suspecting Porter of rape
The ABC says it did not defame the former attorney-general but it can prove there were reasonable grounds for suspecting him of raping a woman in the 1980s when he was a teenager.
Exclusive
City life
Young shun CBD as back-to-office process stalls
The high rate of post-pandemic youth unemployment, a greater propensity to shop online and the absence of international students are reducing the proportion of young people walking the city’s streets.
Single QR system to be rolled out as check-in compliance plummets
The proportion of people using QR codes to check in has dropped across Victoria, with one government survey showing fewer than half the visitors to hospitality venues reported scanning a code every time in April.
Breaking
Crime
Man charged over truck crash ‘unaware’ of five injured pedestrians
Police have charged the driver of a truck that hit five pedestrians after it mounted the footpath at a busy intersection in Melbourne’s inner south.
Cat-attack: Geelong thrash reigning premiers with second half demolition
Geelong kicked 14 goals to Richmond’s two after half time to completely destroy the defending premiers at the MCG.
Buddy, Rampe back but Jones dropped ahead of MCG clash
Lance Franklin and Dane Rampe return, Nathan Jones has been dropped while the Magpies and Bombers have swung the axe on a busy night of selection.
COVID-19 CRISIS
Japan extends coronavirus emergency in Tokyo as Olympics loom
Japan’s premier extended on Friday a state of emergency in Tokyo and three other areas until the end of May to stem a surge in novel coronavirus cases fuelled by the spread of virus variants just months before the Tokyo Olympics.
Victoria to take India flights, 173 kids stranded without parents
There are 173 Australian children stuck in India without their parents, and they are the top priority as six flights are planned for the remainder of May.
Exclusive
Vaccination
Fully vaccinated travellers test positive in Sydney hotel quarantine
This comes as the mystery of how an eastern suburbs couple caught a COVID-19 infection brought into hotel quarantine by a US traveller remains unsolved.
Opinion
Global economy
Biden’s risky spending poses a danger for the world
Joe Biden’s spending spree is unlike anything peacetime America has seen and has global implications.
Liam Halligan
Girl shoots three at US school, teacher disarms her
The schoolgirl pulled a handgun from her backpack and fired multiple rounds inside and outside the school in the small city of Rigby, Idaho, a sheriff said.
Australia too expensive? Here are 10 of our greatest free attractions
There’s plenty to enjoy in Australia that doesn’t cost a cent. So greedily hoover up the best of these fabulous freebies.
Opinion
Gardening
Our couch-bound kids don’t know what they’re missing out on
When I was young, I felt envious of kids who broke limbs, or had tonsils out. I was greatly disappointed these things ever happened to me.
Monica Dux
Bring your garden to life with a water feature
Make the most of rainfall when it happens by redirecting rainwater pipes to nearby beds, rills and ponds.
WEEKEND READS
To my one-year-old daughter, born at the right time
You are the wisest person I’ve ever met precisely because you came when you did. You were filled with joy even as the adults around you stressed away your first year.
Struggling with pre-schoolers? Take Bluey’s lead, say experts
In a rare double act, the global phenomenon Bluey is almost as popular with adults as it is with kids. As creator Joe Brumm explains, that’s no accident.
Local
Boy, 15, arrested over death of another teenager in Melbourne’s west
A 15-year-old boy from Melbourne’s western suburbs has been arrested following the death of another teenager on Friday night.
Exclusive
Animal cruelty
Luxury brand found selling fur from tortured raccoon dogs
A luxury Australian clothing brand sold in Melbourne boutiques is selling fur labelled as raccoon that has been found to be raccoon dog.
Lawyer found with ice, almost $6000 in cash, court told
Prominent Melbourne lawyer Pat Lennon was allegedly found with 11 grams of methamphetamine and almost $6000 when he was apprehended by police last year.
Ambulance response times worst since 2015, $750m boost announced
Ambulances are not reaching the most critically-ill patients within the target time of 15 minutes one-quarter of the time.
A Marvellous footy family: How superheroes keep the Nobles close
David Noble has Marvel superhero nicknames for his family. This weekend, he and his son John will be on opposing sides as coach and player ... at Marvel Stadium.
AFL 2021
‘He would never let us down’: the Frank Costa I knew
Gareth Andrews was vice-president throughout Frank Costa’s 12 years as president of the Cats. Here he writes of Costa’s charm, warmth and humanity.
AFL round eight teams and expert tips
How the experts tipped for 2021 round eight, and all the ins and outs as they drop across the weekend.
Politics
The surprising $20b boost to the budget as China stockpiles iron ore
Iron ore hit a record $US200 a tonne on Friday as concerns about Beijing’s dispute with Canberra prompt China’s importers to store up the critical resource.
Business
Bookie inexperience could hurt Apollo in Tabcorp race: analysts
Private equity giant Apollo faces an uphill battle winning crucial support for its bid for Tabcorp’s wagering division.
World
Graphic content
Crime
Rio’s deadly police raid prompts claims of abuse, revenge
The bloodshed lays bare Brazil’s perennial divide over whether, as a common local saying goes, “a good criminal is a dead criminal”.
Opinion
Huge problem: Immigrants are not taking our jobs
Jan Fran
Journalist and presenter
PM learning all the wrong lessons from travel ban backlash
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
Europe’s carbon tariff plan will ‘trigger a race to the top’, but there will be tensions
Frans Timmermans and Josep Borrell
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Property bydomain
Before and after: The resurrection of a heritage home saved from demolition
It had rising damp, a missing chimney, and tiles that had reached the end of their life. A heritage overlay saved it, and now, it's magnificent.
Behind the doors of a church converted into a luxe staycation
Once termite-ridden, the church has had a new lease on life as boutique accomodation in a country town. See how it turned out.
Life & Culture
★★★★★
Review
Tina Fey does it again: Girl group comedy is one of funniest things you’ll see
Girls5eva quickly proves itself to be one of the most charming, insightful and flat-out hilarious shows right now.
Sport
Cat-attack: Geelong thrash reigning premiers with second half demolition
Geelong kicked 14 goals to Richmond’s two after half time to completely destroy the defending premiers at the MCG.
Updated
2021 Tokyo Olympics
‘Wake up’: Cambage slams lack of diversity in Australia, threatens Olympic boycott
Basketball star Liz Cambage has doubled down in her criticism of the Australian Olympic Committee for not using a racially diverse selection of athletes in promotions.
Buddy, Rampe back but Jones dropped ahead of MCG clash
Lance Franklin and Dane Rampe return, Nathan Jones has been dropped while the Magpies and Bombers have swung the axe on a busy night of selection.
National cricketers in line for vaccinations as Hussey tests negative
On the back of Australia’s Olympians beginning their vaccination program ion Monday, National Cabinet ruled other sportsmen and women can now join the queue.
ASC says sorry to gymnasts, watchdog says watch out
The Australian Sports Commission apologises for abuses at the AIS in Canberra, and sports integrity’s head honcho says Australian sport will change forever.
As it happened AFL 2021: Shai flies but Geelong thrashes Tigers
Follow along for all the key moments as Richmond and Geelong take to the MCG for Friday night football.
Life after Usain Bolt: who can be the fastest of them all?
The great Jamaican dominated the 100 metres at the past three Olympics. Who will replace him on the dais as the quickest man in the world at this year’s Games?
Have Your Say
The Buckley call: How do you judge a coach 10 years in?
Clubs rarely reappoint coaches who have not won a premiership in their first 10 years at a club, but then, how many coaches have won a final in each of their past three seasons?
