The Booklist
A weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger.
Daily Crosswords
Challenge yourself with today's quick and cryptic puzzles.
Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Watch live: Melbourne’s rules ease with 25km limit to go, gyms to reopen, visitors in home
Melbourne’s 25km travel limit will be removed and Melburnians will be able to visit regional Victoria from 11.59pm on Thursday.
Updated
Victoria
Masks? Footy crowds? Here’s a look at Victoria’s new COVID restrictions
The government has eased rules for Victoria’s latest lockdown, here’s everything you need to know.
China on G7: ‘The era of a bloc of countries dictating world affairs is over’
Foreign affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian was on the attack, saying “the affairs of the globe should be guided by the UN Charter, and not decided by a small clique”.
Roberts-Smith feared media would ‘intercept’ his phone calls, court hears
The former special forces soldier told his Federal Court defamation trial that a family friend bought him a prepaid phone to speak to former comrades.
Analysis
AFL 2021
The Hawthorn coach Collingwood should look at to replace Buckley
There’s an assistant coach at Hawthorn who the Magpies should speak to in their coaching search. Spoiler alert, it’s not who you think.
7000 fans from Geelong region allowed to attend Cats v Bulldogs
The fans must be members of the competing clubs and live outside Melbourne in regions close to Geelong.
Updated
St Kilda
Saints debated whether Ross, Membrey should have quit Sydney hub
St Kilda’s chief has opened up on claims key club figures were “really disappointed” in Seb Ross’ decision to join Tim Membrey on the sidelines.
Updated
Weather
Do not drink: Water warning for storm-hit areas; 10,000 still without power
About 10,000 people are still waiting for their electricity to be restored days after the damaging storm. People in Kallista, Sherbrooke and The Patch have been instructed not to drink tapwater.
No new COVID cases in NSW as authorities probe possible hotel transmission
NSW has recorded no new cases as investigations into whether a returned traveller caught COVID-19 within a Sydney quarantine hotel.
Millennials plough their savings into cryptocurrency
One-in-five millennials – those aged between 25 and 40 – now own cryptocurrency but investment professionals warn against making short-sighted decisions based on FOMO.
Opinion
Wellbeing
How caring too much is stifling your success
A rejection of the ‘just keep swimming’ ethos may be the secret to a more grounded life.
Brooke McAlary
Stats and data? Andy Lee vows to make them fun with new TV show
The experiences of 100 Australian families will put statistics to the test in Andy Lee’s forthcoming comedy show.
Jane Austen family link to abolition movement comes to light
While Jane Austen admirers savour her enduring novels, scholars ferret out details of Austen’s life and times, including a family link to slavery.
★★★
Review
The Veronicas’ new album has high points but doesn’t leave a lasting impression
This week, music writers and critics review four new albums, including The Veronicas’ much-anticipated fourth studio album.
Opinion
Conspiracy Theory
Skipping the Q: How to handle your conspiracy-loving friends
Here are some tips to avoid an awkward dust-up the next time your friend or relative with “unorthodox views” drops by.
Julie Szego
Author and freelance journalist
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
‘Twiggy’ Forrest backs Melbourne firm’s COVID nasal spray
Melbourne startup Ena Respiratory is hoping to show its nasal spray can help protect vulnerable groups from coronavirus as the world moves to vaccinations.
COVID danger means hotel, offshore detention must end, watchdog says
The Australian Human Rights Commission has warned that a deadly COVID-19 outbreak remains a risk in immigration detention, particularly at Christmas Island and in its hotels.
Local
‘Spectacular’ silken spider webs blanket Gippsland town after floods
For some, it’s the stuff of nightmares. For entomologist Ken Walker, it’s a beautiful sight.
‘Crippled in one night’: Townships reeling a week after wild storms rip through properties
Trees crashed through John Carlyle’s loungeroom roof and destroyed much of his Kalorama house, yet he has chosen to remain among the devastation.
Exclusive
Roads
West Gate Tunnel project faces $4b blowout amid contaminated soil crisis
The tolling giant building the West Gate Tunnel claims the cost of the project has blown out by a further $1 billion to a total of $11 billion, more than double the original estimate.
Free speech does not override transgender safety: uni head
The University of Melbourne is considering a policy that would prohibit public events or speech that could harm transgender people.
Analysis
Paris Agreement
Should we pay a carbon tax to our own government or to someone else’s?
Foreign governments are telling us they will not stand by and allow Australian industry to operate free of the carbon taxes their producers pay.
Politics
Exclusive
Property market
Lib MPs suggest radical plans to tackle housing affordability crisis
Liberal MPs are demanding the federal government consider radical plans to bring the runaway housing market under control.
Business
Homeowners on alert as fixed-rate mortgages rise
Homeowners with variable-rate mortgages who want to lock in record-low interest rates may need to move quickly, with lenders hiking their four- and five-year fixed rates.
World
‘Impressed with Australia’s ambition’: Johnson offers Morrison support on climate change
Boris Johnson wants Australia to lift its ambition on climate change, while also acknowledging the nation’s economy is heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Opinion
Israel needs to stop stalling and release aid worker jailed five years ago
Tim Costello
Former CEO of World Vision Australia.
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Property bydomain
How to find and keep the best tenants for your investment property
Attracting the right tenants for your investment property is always a challenge, but there are things you can do to keep them there longer.
Lockdown's big deals: Melbourne buyers spend $10m+ remotely
Melbourne locals continued undeterred on their search to buy a bigger home in their own neighbourhood.
Life & Culture
Spoiler alert
Review
Seven seasons later, Younger is over – and all I feel is relief
You know that feeling when you’re in a relationship that’s well past its use-by date? That’s exactly how the last season of Younger felt. Warning: spoilers.
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2021
The Hawthorn coach Collingwood should look at to replace Buckley
There’s an assistant coach at Hawthorn who the Magpies should speak to in their coaching search. Spoiler alert, it’s not who you think.
Updated
AFL 2021
Saints debated whether Ross, Membrey should have quit Sydney hub
St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis has opened up on claims key club figures were “really disappointed” in Seb Ross’ decision to join Tim Membrey on the sidelines.
Players musn’t ‘weaponise their body’: bump debate heats up as De Goey faces ban
Jordan De Goey has been handed a one-match suspension for his bump on Melbourne’s Clayton Oliver as Thursday’s tribunal decision on David Mackay’s bump on Hunter Clark looms as a game-changer.
Ronaldo breaks record after billion-dollar snub, France beat Germany
Cristiano Ronaldo sent pulses racing in sponsors’ boardrooms when he removed two bottles of Coke from a press conference before Portugal’s 3-0 win over Hungary.
History-making Socceroos win eighth straight as Souttar strikes
Harry Souttar, the towering Scottish-born defender, struck again for Australia to seal a 1-0 win over Jordan and give Graham Arnold’s team a perfect eight in a row.
‘The greatest race in history’: King Kyle locked in for Tokyo rumble
Kyle Chalmers has locked in his spot for one of the biggest races of the Tokyo Olympics as he prepares to defend his 100m freestyle Olympic crown.
Moore has potentially season-ending injury
Collingwood’s All-Australian Darcy Moore will be examined for a potential posterior cruciate ligament injury on Wednesday.
Have Your Say
The last time the Bombers went to Tassie, it was Sheedy v Shaw
Essendon in the Apple Isle; Collingwood coaching departures; Geelong’s teething problems. Snap Shot is a weekly column taking a look at the lighter side of football.