Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
The Booklist
A weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger.
COVID-19 vaccine tracker
Explore the latest data on vaccinations around the world.
Sydney locked in a time warp as Bondi cluster and areas swell
In a significant escalation of her rhetoric, Gladys Berejiklian told Parliament on Wednesday the government “will not hesitate to go further and harder if we have to”.
What are NSW’s new restrictions - and where are the exposure sites?
The new restrictions will affect Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, effective from 4pm Wednesday for one week.
Exclusive
Nationals
Senator ‘maggoted’ in late-night sitting draws criticism from colleagues
Several senators said the apparent intoxication of a Northern Territory senator during an evening session of Federal Parliament was “totally inappropriate”.
Opinion
Rich families
Who wants to be a millionaire? Almost one in 10 Aussies already are
The number of people joining the millionaires club here is so high, it’s almost taken the cache out of what was once a financial status symbol.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
Damp winter and spring likely to lift flood risk for country’s east
Eastern Australia, already soaked by big rain events and storms this year, could be in for more flooding.
Home of Roberts-Smith ‘enemy’ raided by police, court told
Ex-soldier denied that a private investigator he hired helped to “set up” a police raid on the home of one of his enemies.
Updated
World politics
Russia fire warning shots at British warship in Black Sea
Russia used bombs and gunfire in “warning shots” against a British Navy destroyer in the Black Sea.
‘Ghost town’: Shoppers desert Westfield Bondi Junction as cluster grows
Retailers at the busy shopping centre in Sydney’s eastern suburbs have reported a drastic drop in foot traffic and plunge in sales in recent days.
Australia’s top diplomat warns China is insecure and brittle
Australia’s outgoing top diplomat Frances Adamson has warned China’s “siege mentality” and resistance to scrutiny is in no-one’s interests.
Most Australians blame China for poor relations, ambivalent about government’s approach
The Lowy Institute’s annual poll shows trust in China has fallen to record lows.
Analysis
Asia
Winter Olympics a new excuse for Beijing’s crackdown on everything
COVID-19 has provided a blanket of security for an increasingly restrictive state.
White ruled out of France series as RA pushes ahead with SCG Test
Halfback Nic White has been ruled out of the series with a knee injury, while two other veteran Wallabies are under injury clouds.
★★★★
Review
Hate romcoms? You’ll find it very hard to dislike this one
Award-winning New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo’s six-part romantic comedy updates the genre for a modern audience.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Exclusive
Qld gives man permission to visit dying dad, second family now seeks exemption
Stephanie Bryan was granted a federal government exemption but is stuck in Sydney in a battle with Queensland Health.
Opinion
Vaccine hesitancy horse has bolted - we need a powerful new campaign
When it comes to government ads to promote vaccination, informing is not enough. We need high emotion, designed to trigger action.
Russel Howcroft
Australian businessman and media personality
Sydney
Gangster Bilal Hamze laid to rest following CBD death
Police were a highly visible presence at the funeral at Lakemba Mosque amid concerns about gangland conflict and family members’ safety.
Man allegedly involved in kidnap plot seeks freedom over poor teeth
Frederick Schaaf’s barrister Ian McLachlan said his client’s back teeth were already missing and he needed “urgent ... treatment” which Justice Health would not be able to provide.
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.
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.
Politics
Economists warn home owners about higher repayments in 2022
Home buyers taking on huge loans to get into Australia’s property market could face higher mortgage repayments as early as November next year.
Business
Exclusive
AUSTRAC
Money laundering cop to face grilling under new financial crime inquiry
AUSTRAC has recently stung big banks with huge fines. But it is facing criticism that it is too reactive.
World
Updated
China relations
Apple Daily to stop printing from Saturday
The newspaper had been raided twice by hundreds of Hong Kong police in the past 12 months, at least seven editors and executives have been arrested.
Opinion
Explore
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Property bydomain
Bargain? Penthouse apartment sells for a 75 per cent discount
The four-level apartment in a historic building has found a buyer after sitting on the market since 2015, and still managed to change hands for millions. Take a look inside.
'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.
Life & Culture
The lesson of Loki is that spinning blockbuster films into TV can work
The Disney+ streaming service is banking on its ability to spin big-movie franchises into TV shows; the results so far are mixed but promising.
Sport
The most lopsided Origin crowd in history? Sydney fans banned from Brisbane
The NRL has moved swiftly to counter the Queensland border closure, but it has a big headache looming with Stadium Australia due to host Origin III next month.
Queensland lash ‘narrow minded’ NRL stance as Sutton quits referee consultancy
Queensland has attacked the NRL’s stance on a perceived conflict of interest with the State of Origin referee, whose brother was advising the Maroons in game one.
White ruled out of France series as RA pushes ahead with SCG Test
Halfback Nic White has been ruled out of the series with a knee injury, while two other veteran Wallabies are under injury clouds.
Report into NRL expansion concludes 17th team doesn’t add up
A report commissioned by 12 NRL clubs has found that the addition of a 17th NRL franchise will do more harm than good to the competition.
‘Shattered’ Huni out of Olympics after injuring hand against Gallen
Paul Gallen said in the lead-up to last week’s fight that he hoped to destroy Justis Huni’s Olympic dream. He has, but not in the way he predicted.
Cleary is a big fan of Walsh – but plans to make his Origin debut a nightmare
NSW halfback Nathan Cleary thinks Reece Walsh’s unconvincing performance under the high ball against the Knights was a one off. But he intends to find out on Sunday.
Blues captain Apps not buying Maroons jab that Queensland comp is better than NSW
Earlier this month, Maroons captain Ali Brigginshaw had a sly dig at NSW to get the Origin rivalry flowing, saying Queensland had better club systems than NSW.
Have Your Say
IPL pits stars against national tours – but might just be perfect World Cup preparation
Far from hindering Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign, the IPL shapes as an ideal warm-up for non-touring big names.
