Business Briefing
Major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion emailed every morning.
Daily Crosswords
Challenge yourself with today's quick and cryptic puzzles.
Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Breaking
Coronavirus pandemic
Federal Court deals blow to India travel ban challenge
A judge has dismissed the first round of a legal challenge to the validity of the temporary ban on Australian citizens entering the country from India.
Pfizer beats back variants as AstraZeneca receives a boost
Pfizer’s vaccine seems to offer good protection against the South African variant, while British data has given AstraZeneca a lift, in positive news for Australia’s vaccine mix.
One million people in NSW now able to register for Pfizer vaccine
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says adults aged 40 to 49 will be able to formally express interest today to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine “within weeks”.
Breaking
Public transport
Sydney train commuters face major delays
A “trespasser on the tracks” between Westmead and Parramatta has caused trains on the Western Line to be suspended in both directions.
Former Home and Away actor among seven men charged with drug offences in Byron Bay
Putu Winchester-Stanton is among seven men charged with drug offences following two investigations into the supply of cocaine in Byron Bay.
Self-proclaimed wealth guru’s credit licence cancelled by corporate watchdog
Dominique Grubisa advertises her ability to create a “force field” around her clients’ wealth. The corporate cop has moved to shut her down.
Jack de Belin not guilty of one charge, jury discharged
A jury acquitted Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair of one charge, relating to assaulting a woman in 2018, but was not able to reach a verdict on remaining charges.
‘The distance from Perth to London’: How a gas company cleared the Kimberley
The Kimberley is home to more than 65 species found nowhere else on Earth. You need a permit to clear native vegetation – unless you are an oil and gas company.
‘Everything will work out’: Jackson confident Cambage will compete at Olympics
Opals legend Lauren Jackson says she “knows” Liz Cambage will sort out her differences with the AOC in time for the Tokyo Games.
Miss Line of Duty? Here are the 10 greatest cop shows you need to watch
From tough British crime dramas to Scandi noir, this is our guide to the very best badge-and-gun series of all time.
How a ‘green pillow’ is helping to save Hoi An from climate change floods
The mangrove forest planted along this shrinking village’s riverbank is like a pillow that doesn’t stop but slows down the forces of nature.
Several injured in stabbing attack at New Zealand supermarket
Witnesses inside the supermarket in the South Island city of Dunedin heard someone scream “he’s got a knife” before customers tried to pin down the attacker.
Breaking
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
‘The powder keg is burning’: Riots break out at Jerusalem’s holiest site
Palestinian medics say at least 50 protesters have been hospitalised after clashes with Israeli police.
‘They have to face the consequences’: Rival clubs urge NRL to punish Eels
COVID bubble restrictions have left Parramatta facing the prospect of having just 17 eligible players for Magic Round.
Opinion
Super Rugby
The ‘rugby is back’ exclamation is on the money
Rugby has been doing it tough for years, battered by a largely hostile media, but the faithful kept their lamps burning.
Wayne Smith
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
Blue Mountains highway upgrade to get bulk of $3b federal budget spend
The budget will also include new funding for one of the busiest intersections on the M5 Motorway in Sydney, along with upgrades to the Pacific Highway near Taree.
Opinion
Years of neglect won’t make it easy to get wages up
As the migrant tap to fill labour shortages is temporarily closed, business’ neglect of investment in training and technical skills has been highlighted.
Ross Gittins
Economics Editor
Sydney
CBD
City life
Former NSW MP Michael Johnsen unveils next project
Over the weekend, a shiny new website for the venture called Johnsen Consulting popped up.
‘Falling to pieces’: The fight to save an iconic North Sydney building
North Sydney’s mayor says residents have told her the MLC Building is ugly and “should go”. An opposing councillor says it must be state heritage-listed.
Follow the QR-code brick road: Opening day for Olympic Park mass vaccination hub
After following the teal-brick road of QR codes from the train station, dozens of people were ready for the opening of the hub at 8am.
Keeping adolescents out of aged care: First Australian hospice for young adults
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has turned the first sod at the site of the adolescent and young adult hospice, which will provide palliative care for 15 to 24-year-olds.
Woman with baby allegedly kidnapped by former partner in Sydney
Police say the woman, who had tried to leave with her eight-month-old son, attempted to escape twice and called out to passers-by for help. The man allegedly drove the woman to her home before he was arrested.
Politics
Holgate appointed CEO of parcel business Global Express
Christine Holgate said she was “very excited” to be back working in the parcels business and at a key rival to Australia Post.
Business
Opinion
Casinos
Crown’s CEO-in-waiting’s $5.2 million get out of jail free card
There is a decent likelihood Steve McCann will barely have unpacked his framed family pics and pot plants before the ownership of Crown changes hands.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
World
Eyeing Indian outbreak, Africa ramps up monitoring of coronavirus variants
The slow vaccine rollout has made Africa’s hunt for new variants, which tend to emerge where spread goes unchecked, more urgent.
Opinion
Little has gone right for the government, but it’s not clear much has gone badly wrong
Sean Kelly
Columnist and former adviser to Labor prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
Darwin is turning into the Morrison government’s dumping ground
Stephanie Dowrick
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property bydomain
![Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay sold for almost $180m](http://web.archive.org./web/20210510082031im_/https://res.akamaized.net/domain/image/upload/t_web/c_crop,h_616,w_889,x_137,y_209/c_fill,w_640,h_360/v1620608006/intercondoublebay_xadoy0.jpg)
Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay sold for almost $180m
The luxury hotel was offloaded by Chinese private equity group Shanghai United, which bought it four years ago.
![Could tiny homes help with the housing affordability crisis?](http://web.archive.org./web/20210510082031im_/https://res.akamaized.net/domain/image/upload/t_web/c_crop,h_473,w_897,x_127,y_209/c_fill,w_640,h_360/v1620367307/Lei_Feng_s_PrefabModern_ozhwfa.jpg)
Could tiny homes help with the housing affordability crisis?
As house prices spiral, there's a push to create small villages of tiny homes to help young people. But would it make the problem worse?
Life & Culture
‘Silly’ or a secret wellness weapon? Your brain on memes
This last year has been the toughest some people have ever experienced. But an unlikely ally - the humble meme - has boosted so many.
Sport
Opinion
Super Rugby
Was the Super Rugby final the most significant provincial game in Australian rugby history?
Many a facile word is spoken in commentary but Tim Horan’s observation after Queensland’s thrilling win that “rugby is back” was on the money.
Wayne Smith
‘Everything will work out’: Jackson confident Cambage will compete at Olympics
Opals legend Lauren Jackson says she ‘knows’ Liz Cambage will sort out her differences with the AOC in time for the Tokyo Games, and backed the star for expressing her opinions.
‘Cut with a chainsaw’: Longmire calls for AFL help after staff costs slashed
The Sydney Swans coach wants an acknowledgement from the AFL that club staffers are being heavily overworked after a savage round of cuts to football department spending last year.
Exclusive
NRL 2021
‘Who’s leaking that stuff out?’ Bateman takes aim at Raiders
John Bateman has taken aim at unnamed Canberra officials for undermining the players.
Two down, two to go: Kerr’s golden boot steering Chelsea to a historic trophy sweep
The Matildas superstar claimed the FA Women’s Super League title and the prestigious golden boot with 21 goals. But there is more to come.
‘They have to face the consequences’: Rival clubs urge NRL to punish Eels
COVID bubble restrictions have left Parramatta facing the prospect of having just 16 eligible players for Magic Round after the club ignored a warning not to field fringe players in NSW Cup.
Exclusive
Super Rugby
Matera was open to playing for the Waratahs. They never made him an offer
When the Pumas star came knocking, the Waratahs chose to focus on their existing player stocks. NSW’s loss was the Crusaders’ gain.
Have Your Say
The Spidercam vision which left shattered Brumbies seething
In a manic finale, James O’Connor scored a try to win Super Rugby AU for Queensland over the Brumbies. But new vision casts doubt on the previous play.