Morning Edition
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
COVID-19 vaccine tracker
Explore the latest data on vaccinations around the world.
Live Well newsletter
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition.
Alerts issued for flights, more venues as Victoria declares Sydney ‘red zones’
The growing Bondi cluster has also prompted New Zealand to pause quarantine-free travel with the state.
New Zealand pauses travel bubble with NSW amid outbreak
NZ authorities say they have so far identified four close contacts of an Australian traveller with COVID-19, who flew from Sydney to Wellington over the weekend before returning to Australia on Monday.
Biden White House concedes it will miss vaccination goal
White House officials say the main reason the US will miss the 70 per cent target was that not enough younger American adults have received a jab.
Labor, Greens veto coal move in shock Senate blow to government
The two parties took advantage of Pauline Hanson’s surprise absence to strike down plans to invest taxpayer funds in new fossil fuel technologies.
Chinese swimmer Sun Yang banned again, to miss Olympics
The court’s verdict ends Sun’s hopes of defending his Olympic title in the 200 metres freestyle in Tokyo next month.
Exclusive
Workplace culture
Two Sony Music executives stood down as company investigates culture
Denis Handlin’s son, Pat, and the local head of human resources have been placed on indefinite leave as the company’s investigation into workplace culture continues.
Opinion
City life
I designed the Sirius building, but I wish it had been knocked down
The original vision has been ruined by the sell-off of the building for private profit.
Tao Gofers
Architect
Cash splash for families, schools as NSW finds way out of pandemic recession
A resistance to state-wide lockdowns and a surging property market have pulled NSW out of a pandemic-induced recession.
‘It could help save lives’: Families offered free swimming lessons for preschoolers
Water-safety advocates say the scheme could mean a generation of children from disadvantaged backgrounds will be formally taught to swim for the first time.
Analysis
State Parliament
Seven charts to explain the Treasurer’s budget sales pitch
A complex mix of spending and revenue decisions underpins the Treasurer’s political sales pitch. Here is how it works.
Exclusive
Teaching
Teacher shortage hampers schools as enrolments collapse
NSW schools are struggling with a major teacher shortage as enrolment numbers for education degrees fall by a third and half of trainees fail to finish their degrees.
Alleged Asian drug kingpin fighting extradition to Australia
Tse Chi Lop, who has been compared to Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, is fighting extradition to Australia, saying he would not get a fair trial.
CBD
City life
Dogs of war: Sky’s the limit for Horizon debacle
Once again Horizon residents are doing what Sydney does best: arguing over money and heading for the courts.
Not into Dry July? This booze challenge is for you
Cat Webb is one of many who struggle with challenges like Dry July, so a non-alcoholic beer brand is launching its own campaign.
Why Bennett’s influence on Mitchell could be the undoing of Queensland
Queensland’s greatest ever coach has helped conjure many Maroon miracles but his formidable bond with a Blues star could steer NSW to a series win in Brisbane.
NSW BUDGET 2021
‘Foundation of our recovery’: Health spend to exceed $30 billion
The state government will spend $120 billion on NSW Health over the next four years, with hospital upgrades and ambulance jets flagged in the 2021-22 budget,
Analysis
The $100 billion budget: no brakes on spending just yet
Spending by the NSW government will hit the $100 billion threshold in the coming financial year as the economy emerges from last year’s pandemic-induced recession.
Sydney
Exclusive
Education
Boys asked to use rating system on girls, female students taught to keep virginity
The year 10 male students at co-ed St Luke’s Grammar School were separated from the female students for the Christian studies exercise.
Sydney to get its first new selective high school in 25 years under $7.9 billion plan
New schools are also planned for St Leonards, Chatswood and Macquarie Park - one of them on the site of the Premier’s old high school.
Daughter of Charlie Teo has crash case withdrawn
Nicola Annabel Teo was due to face trial in Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday before the case against her was withdrawn and dismissed.
Charles Sturt uni refers fraud allegations to police
The NSW university has reported alleged fraud to police for investigation following a year of controversy over its finances.
Corruption watchdog calls for ban on secret meetings with lobbyists
ICAC says lobbyists should be banned from giving gifts to public officials and an expanded register should be kept to monitor those who go from government to lobbying.
Politics
Most Australians blame China for poor relations but ambivalent about government’s approach: poll
The Lowy Institute’s annual poll shows trust in China has fallen to record lows and 56 per cent of Australians believe Beijing is more to blame than Canberra for tensions between the two.
Business
Zeller sharpens business appeal with fresh cash injection
Fintech Zeller, now valued at $400 million, has raised another $50 million in funding led by US VC fund Spark just six months after launching its products in Australia.
World
US pounces on dozens of Iranian websites, blocking them
A semi-official Iranian news agency agency said the US move “demonstrates that calls for freedom of speech are lies”.
Opinion
Vaccine hesitancy horse has bolted. We need a powerful campaign.
Russel Howcroft
Australian businessman and media personality
Are you a corona moaner or a winner in the pandemic shake-up?
David Hayward
Dr David Hayward is Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at RMIT University.
The man who was the id of Australian politics is once again deputy prime minister
Chris Uhlmann
Nine News Political Editor
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property bydomain
'Life-changing': How landlords can benefit from reduced rent
This renter never expected the generosity of a landlord to help her get back on her feet - but that's exactly what happened.
Sydney's first net zero energy house shows buyers will pay more for green
More than 120 people were at the auction, sending the price soaring in a clear sign that Aussies are finally ready to pay more for energy-efficient homes.
Life & Culture
★★★
Review
A decade later, Louis Theroux has second thoughts about Joe Exotic
British filmmaker Louis Theroux revisits the Joe Exotic story, a decade after his first encounter with him and in the wake of the Tiger King phenomenon.
Sport
Why Bennett’s influence on Mitchell could be the undoing of Queensland
Queensland’s greatest ever coach has helped conjure many Maroon miracles but his formidable bond with a Blues star could steer NSW to a series win in Brisbane.
World Rugby set to approve NRL inspired rule changes in all competitions
The 50-22 and goal line dropout are here to stay. But some of the leading rugby nations aren’t happy.
Blues call Cordner into camp as Tedesco reveals painful battle in Townsville
The NSW captain needed several pain-killing injections at half-time as he revealed former skipper Boyd Cordner will be asked to join camp before game two in Brisbane.
Nervous NRL rush Origin referees to Queensland to avoid border chaos
The second State of Origin is five days away but head office is taking no chances with match officials, who have been ordered to fly to Queensland on Tuesday night.
O’Neill backs swimming review, says she never experienced bullying
Deputy chef de mission and Olympic great Susie O’Neill says allegations must be investigated but her experience in the sport was very different.
‘It sounds so basic’: How Tom Trbojevic is keeping his hamstrings healthy
Tom Trbojevic has suffered several bad hamstring tears during his career, and is now following a strict training regime which goes against some conventional wisdom.
The view from the wrong side of the NRL’s wild momentum swings
Queensland stars know what it’s like to be on the wrong side of NRL’s massive scoring sprees this year – and think they have a plan to dig themselves out of trouble against the Blues.
Have Your Say
Bravo, Carl Nassib ... and let’s hope that, one day soon, no one cares
Carl Nassib became the first active NFL player to come out as gay - a milestone on the road to equality and another step towards the day when a player’s sexuality does not count as news.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author