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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.
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”.
Australia’s top diplomat warns China is insecure and brittle
Frances Adamson has warned China’s insecurity and power can be a volatile combination, saying its “siege mentality” and resistance to scrutiny is in no one’s interests.
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
‘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.
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 says it fired warning shots at British warship in Black Sea
Russia said it fired “warning shots” to force a British Navy destroyer to leave waters it claims in the Black Sea, but the UK rejected the account.
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.
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 promising.
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.
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.
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.
Politics
Nationals cop it over childcare as Labor seizes transparency opportunity
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has backed childcare after his close allies questioned why so much more support was given to the sector compared with stay-at-home parents.
Business
Bitcoin has ‘few redeeming features’: Top central bank flames cryptos
The Bank for International Settlements says cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are tools for criminals and a waste of energy.
World
Updated
China relations
Pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily to stop printing from Saturday
The paper 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
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Property bydomain
East coast Aussies spend a massive $381 billion on property
Our love for bricks and mortar has led the country's economic recovery but on the eastern seaboard particularly, there's been a staggering amount of sales.
Property bargains: What can you buy for $100,000 or less?
Property prices are soaring, but there are still houses for sale for less than $100,000 if you’re willing to expand your search to look beyond the major cities.
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.
