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New Delta variant outbreak dashes hope of lockdown reprieve for Melbourne
An expert says the new coronavirus outbreak discovered in Melbourne will dash hopes of an early end to the city’s lockdown after genomics testing found it was the more infectious Delta variant.
Police begin patrolling city’s border as ring of steel ruled out
The government is relying on roving patrols instead of a hard border to ensure locked-down Melburnians stay out of regional Victoria.
UK approves Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds
Britain’s medicines regulator said on Friday it had approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech for use on 12- to 15-year-olds.
Ricky Nixon spared parking fines over use of ‘ambulance’
The former AFL player agent told a court on Friday he thought his vehicle was exempt from parking tickets.
Opinion
Trends
Welcome to the new Zillennial overlords. But try not to laugh at my jeans
It’s time to make room for a bolder, more open generation that’s seeking to make the world a better place for everyone.
Jan Fran
Journalist and presenter
‘Sea of whales’: First sightings off Australia of huge humpback pods
Humpback whales are being sighted in giant pods on a scale never recorded before off Australia as conservation measures help restore numbers thought to be approaching those of pre-whaling days.
Demons see off latest challenger with come-from-behind stunner
Any doubts about Melbourne’s credentials must be laid to rest after they came from behind to overhaul a rampaging Brisbane Lions in a game moved to Sydney.
Updated
AFL 2021
SCG to host Queen’s Birthday clash amid chaos over Victoria’s lockdown
The SCG will host the Queen’s Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, as Richmond also weigh up a fixture change.
Exclusive
City life
Collingwood Children’s Farm community garden to be cleared
A report found there were unacceptable risks of visitors to the 42-year-old garden being bitten by snakes and impaled by star pickets.
Fury over union funding for officers charged with leaking Laidley images
A decision by the powerful police union to fund the legal defences of three officers charged with leaking photos of former AFL coach Dani Laidley has polarised the force.
Dozens of complaints made against politicians prompts calls for stricter controls
Stephanie Foster’s report revealed 38 complaints relating to bad behaviour by politicians were made to the Department of Finance in recent years.
Detained Australian, deposed Myanmar leader Suu Kyi, to face court ‘unrepresented’
Australian Sean Turnell, deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and others will face court on June 23, with lawyers concerned no legal representation will mean no transparency with the hearing.
Cheers! Yarra Valley winery tops list of Australia’s best wineries
Good Weekend has teamed up with The Real Review to bring you the country’s top producers. This Victorian winery is the frontrunner of the list of 52 wineries.
US says mysterious UFOs not a sign of alien life
But with 120 incidents over the past decades, it’s still far from clear what the flying objects are.
Victorian Opera apologises for lack of diversity in Tommy cast
The cast announcement for the production, set to open in August at the Palais, on Thursday morning almost immediately attracted criticism.
AFL 2021
‘I don’t think he has lost anything’: Charlie Curnow rejoins full training
The Carlton forward has missed almost two years of football but has rejoined full training and is closing in on a return after the mid-season bye.
‘This week could be the week’: Buckley confident Pie forwards will connect
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley says there have been plenty of positives to their new game style but they don’t intend to be dour.
Local
Crown gambler came for free Phil Collins tickets, then lost $30,000
The regular gambler said Crown uses giveaways and promotions to ‘play’ its patrons.
Roberts-Smith’s last-minute action against ex-wife risks delaying defamation trial
A barrister acting for the former special forces soldier told the Federal Court there was a risk of “contamination” of his defamation proceedings against The Age and the Herald.
Media fined $1.1m for contempt of court breaches in Pell reports
Some of Australia’s biggest media companies have been fined a combined $1.1 million for breaching contempt of court laws.
Opinion
Naked City
How ex-cops and lawyers formed a team to chase down stolen savings
Having seen lawyers “stuff up” straightforward fraud cases, and criminal prosecutions drag out for years, Andrew Tragardh decided on a new approach.
John Silvester
Crime reporter
Exclusive
Crime
Police block damages claim for Gobbo client jailed for 12 years
Victoria Police moves to block compensation for Faruk Orman, whose murder conviction was quashed because of Nicola Gobbo’s role.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Aged care workers may face mandatory vaccinations to stop more deaths
National cabinet has asked medical experts for further advice about whether it should be mandatory for aged care workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
What we know about the Delta variant now in Melbourne
The Delta variant of COVID-19 is likely more transmissible than other variants of the virus seen so far, but there is no conclusive evidence it causes worse illness in children.
Politics
NDIS independent assessments will be introduced this year despite concerns and mistrust
MPs across the political spectrum say Linda Reynolds must restore trust in the National Disability Insurance Agency if she wants support to bring in changes to assessments.
Business
Rio Tinto hires Indigenous director after Juukan Gorge disaster
Rio Tinto has hired former WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt as its first Indigenous director as it seeks to mend relationships after its destruction of ancient Aboriginal rock shelters.
World
Indonesian manhunt for 170 ‘terrorists’ slammed as licence to ‘shoot anyone’
Papuans fear crackdown on independence will get much worse as autonomy deadline looms.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
'Slammed shut': Home ownership out of reach for many without family help
House prices are heading to a point where the only way people will be able to get into the market is with help from family who are already in, experts say.
Dancing With the Stars judge Kym Johnson snaps up $13m pad
The professional dancer turned TV judge looks to be joining the throng of returning Hollywood expats, buying a beachfront property.
Life & Culture
Exclusive
Archibald Prize
The missing 1964 Archibald portrait that should have won the prize
A long lost Archibald painting from 1964 – the first year the prize was not awarded – has been unearthed in the artist’s Blue Mountains home.
Sport
Demons see off latest challenger with come-from-behind stunner
Any doubts about Melbourne’s credentials must be laid to rest after they came from behind to overhaul a rampaging Brisbane Lions in a game moved to Sydney.
‘You don’t ever let your guard down’: Racism and reality in Australia
A new Peter Dickson documentary drives home what it is like to be on the receiving end of a scourge that still exists here in 2021.
Did disgruntled gamblers trump tennis ace Osaka?
Superstar Naomi Osaka boycotted press conferences at the French Open before abandoning the tournament altogether. Some suspect darker forces crushed her.
Updated
AFL 2021
SCG to host Queen’s Birthday clash, as fixture chaos continues amid lockdown
The SCG will host the Queen’s Birthday clash between Collingwood and Melbourne, as Richmond also weigh up a fixture change.
Updated
French Open
Barty racing clock to shake ‘acute’ hip injury ahead of Wimbledon
World No.1 Ashleigh Barty was forced to retire from her second-round French Open match and has now turned her attention to recovering in time for Wimbledon.
Analysis
FIFA World Cup
With Kuwait gone in 60 seconds, Socceroos well placed for bigger tests
The result was all but sealed inside a minute so Australia’s win over Kuwait was of more interest for what it says about Graham Arnold’s side going forward.
As it happened: AFL 2021: Melbourne Demons mount comeback to beat Brisbane Lions
Follow all the major developments as Melbourne and Brisbane face off in Sydney for Friday night football.
Have Your Say
Netballers on fast track to parity with footballers on copping social media abuse
Giants captain Jo Harten is just the latest netballer to be on the receiving end of attacks from social media trolls.
Liz Ellis
Netball columnist
