The Booklist
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More venue alerts issued as authorities race to halt spread of Bondi cluster
The fresh infections prompted a number of new venue alerts for Sydney’s CBD, Bondi Junction and Tempe on Saturday night.
Sydney NRL players told to prepare to go back into biosecurity bubble
Sydney players are bracing to go back into bubble life if the latest COVID cluster isn’t immediately brought under control.
From Moscow to Mississippi, COVID’s Delta variant is spreading fast
The World Health Organisation’s chief scientist says the variant, more infectious than others, will soon be dominant globally.
‘The perfect bloke’: Premier’s new beau wins seal of approval from MPs
Police Minister David Elliott said Arthur Moses was the ideal man because “he’s a Parra supporter, a westie, a Liberal and a Reservist”.
Top police officer in hospital after being glassed at pub
Peter McKenna, a rising star of the NSW police force, has been injured in a violent confrontation in Dubbo.
The local Sydney club that became the AFL’s unlikeliest football factory
How can a team based in Sydney’s upper north shore be such a big producer of AFL talent? The answer lies deeper than just what’s in the water at Pennant Hills.
Sydney FC 2 Adelaide 1
Match report
Sydney FC on cusp of A-League hat-trick after Adelaide win
A depleted Sky Blues showed enough mettle to survive a second-half fightback from the Reds and grind out a 2-1 victory in Kogarah.
Opinion
Australian rugby
Why just four wins from 10 Tests would be a pass mark for the Wallabies
With three Tests against France, three against the Kiwis and two each against South Africa and Argentina, five wins would be a good result.
Andrew Mehrtens
Dragons 22 Raiders 20
Match report
Raiders land in hot water after 18th-man debacle
Canberra lost 22-20 to St George Illawarra, but the big talking point will be their use of 18th man Xavier Savage.
When the rivers run dry: Grim climate forecasts for NSW
Dams will fill less frequently, farmers will face water cuts and rivers will cease flowing as the climate warms, according to draft water strategies.
Opinion
Family
‘I feel fine’: The final message I won’t ever delete
Like the man who found a long-lost recording of his mother’s voice, I feel sorrow and joy listening to my father’s precious voicemail messages.
Monica Dux
Hair loom: should I pay to get my kid’s terrible cut corrected?
Just what’s the etiquette if you’re unhappy with your hairdresser’s work?
How to finally stop sweating the small stuff
Instead of letting an annoyance snowball, pause and ask yourself two questions.
NRL 2021
Storm 66 Tigers 16
Shell-shocked Tigers hit rock bottom as Storm run riot
Knights 10 Warriors 6
Pearce’s return helps lift Knights to dour win over Warriors
The former NSW Origin playmaker was a calming influence for Newcastle in his comeback game after a 10-week break from a pectoral injury.
The former Eels doctor who was 43 years ahead of his time
Dr Peter Manollaras publicly aired his concerns about concussions four decades ago. He wishes more had been done to protect players sooner.
Sydney
The Sydney dad fighting for his ‘ISIS bride’ daughter
After Kamalle learnt his daughter had travelled to Syria with her IS fighter husband, he was told to stay quiet. Now, he’s battling for her return.
Investigation
Private schools
Top private schools build up multimillion-dollar portfolios
Some of Sydney’s richest schools have hundreds of millions invested in the sharemarket, reaping big returns while also receiving government funding.
Exclusive
City life
Cahill Expressway to be closed for seven-day New Year’s Eve party
The maligned stretch of road will be opened up for foot traffic for a week-long party between over New Year.
Inside Sydney’s collection of exclusive private clubs
The vote at the Australian Club to keep female members out has put the whole notion of private clubs in the spotlight.
Exclusive
Vocational training
$250m TAFE boost to retrain workers for the post-pandemic world
Mark Adamik lost his tourism sales job last year during the pandemic. He is now retraining to be a carpenter.
WEEKEND READS
The woman who helped an ex-Playboy editor become a feminist crusader
Former Playboy editor Chuck Smeeton became a self-confessed “feminist in training” after meeting his partner, Dr Niki Vincent, Victoria’s first Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner.
Why this fashion boutique owner wants an end to ‘logomania’
“It’s less about status and branding and more about creativity and art,” says Parlour X owner Eva Galambos.
Politics
‘No rush’ to reopen international borders: Trade Minister
Trade Minister Dan Tehan says the federal government is negotiating with Singapore over a travel bubble, but is in no rush to open the borders to international travel.
Business
‘String of disasters’: China’s shipping delays set to widen trade chaos
Still reeling from the pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage, an exhausted global shipping industry faces the biggest test of its stamina.
World
Hardline judge under US sanctions elected Iran’s next President
Ebrahim Raisi has been congratulated on his victory by the other two candidates, but his dark past troubles Washington DC.
Opinion
It haunts me still. I had helped our family’s real estate man to fib
David Astle
Crossword compiler, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age
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Property bydomain
Grand north shore house soars $1.4m above reserve at auction
The Longueville house sold for $7.415 million on Saturday, making a $1.88 million price gain in just over four years since it sold at the last property peak.
Dilapidated inner-west house sells for $5.5m at auction
Crumbling ceilings, cracked walls and a murky brown pool were not enough to deter buyers from spending big on this abandoned house.
Life & Culture
Opinion
Review
King-of-bright John Olsen reveals his dark and melancholy side
At 93, the artist’s latest works shows him brooding on his fading powers, coping with depression or lack of inspiration.
John McDonald
Art critic
Sport
Storm 66 Tigers 16
NRL 2021
Shell-shocked Tigers hit rock bottom as Storm run riot
To regain the competition lead from Penrith, Melbourne needed to improve their for-and-against by 18 points. The feat was achieved after just 10 minutes.
Dragons 22 Raiders 20
Match report
Savage blow: Raiders in hot water after 18th-man debacle
Canberra lost 22-20 to St George Illawarra, but the big talking point will be their use of 18th man Xavier Savage who should never have taken the field.
‘It might put a target on my head’: Luai roars defiance as THAT Origin photo riles Maroons
The Blues star is not bothered if Queensland target him in Origin II after taking offence to an image of him standing over Felise Kaufusi in Townsville.
Pain in the butt: Jake Trbojevic racing clock to be fit for Origin III
Jake Trbojevic suffered a glute tear, not a hip injury, that has him touch and go for Origin III, as the secret sessions to help Tom’s hammys can be revealed.
Sydney FC 2 Adelaide 1
Match report
Sydney FC on cusp of title hat-trick after semi win over Adelaide
A depleted Sky Blues showed enough mettle to survive a second-half fightback from the Reds and grind out a 2-1 victory in Kogarah.
France held to 1-1 draw by Hungary at European Championship
France needed a second-half equaliser from Antoine Griezmann to avoid the biggest upset of the tournament.
‘Who’d have thought we’d still be here?‘: Aussie swim stars’ amazing journey to fourth Olympics
They were introduced to the world as smiling teens in Beijing. Much water has passed between their feet since then as Emily Seebohm and Cate Campbell head to Games number four.
Have Your Say
Why four wins from 10 Tests this year would be pass mark for Wallabies
With three Tests against France, three against the Kiwis and two each against South Africa and Argentina, even five wins would be very positive for Australia.
