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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.
Agriculture Minister tests positive; Health Minister in isolation
NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall has tested positive to COVID-19. It comes after news that NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard was isolating, after potentially being exposed to a possible case at Parliament.
Lockdown not ruled out if Sydney COVID-19 cases continue to rise
In a significant escalation of her rhetoric, Gladys Berejiklian told Parliament that the government “will not hesitate to go further and harder if we have to”.
Exclusive
Nationals
Senator ‘maggoted’ in late-night sitting draws criticism from colleagues
Several senators said the apparent intoxication of the senator during an evening session of Federal Parliament was “totally inappropriate”.
Analysis
Roberts-Smith case
Ben Roberts-Smith asked if stamps could be traced: trial
Former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith offered explanations over several agreed facts put to him during Wednesday’s proceedings.
‘I deserve to have a life’: Britney Spears asks judge to free her from conservatorship
Spears gave a long, emotional speech, in which she condemned the legal arrangement and her father.
Cybersecurity software pioneer John McAfee found dead in jail cell
McAfee had been in jail in Spain since October 6 when he was accused of tax evasion and failure to disclose income charges at Barcelona airport.
Exclusive
Climate policy
Liberals escalate net zero calls to counter Barnaby Joyce
Key Liberals want the government to set a formal target as soon as possible by staring down scepticism within the Nationals.
Buffett resigns from Gates Foundation, has donated half his fortune
The billionaire investor said he was resigning as a trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and had donated half his wealth to philanthropy.
Pilot of helicopter that crashed, killing five, was not qualified to fly at night
The helicopter crashed into waters off Port Stephens, killing the pilot and all four passengers.
NSW Rugby investigates allegation of racist slurs of Indigenous teenager
An Indigenous boy was left distraught after playing in the under-14s NSW Junior Rugby Union State Championship on June 14.
The most lopsided Origin crowd ever? 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.
CBD
City life
Hemsworth proves to be a real superhero in Armidale
A truckload of medical equipment delivered free-of-charge to a struggling regional health service? Now that’s star power.
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.
★★★★
Spectrum
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.
Editor's Picks
Opinion
Rich families
Who wants to be a millionaire? Almost one in 10 Aussies already are
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
Just in
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
Sydney party dubbed ‘super spreader’ event as experts defend testing without isolation
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said she expected to announce further cases related to the party, which had roughly 30 attendees.
AstraZeneca vaccine to be used after October only on request
The national rollout will rely on millions of doses of Pfizer to immunise the population against COVID-19, with most over-60s expected to be vaccinated before October.
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
World politics
UK denies Russia’s claim that warning shots were fired at warship
Russia said it used bombs and gunfire in “warning shots” to force a British Navy destroyer to leave waters it claims in the Black Sea, but the UK rejected that account.
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
Mental health is a legitimate reason to take a break. Here’s how to make the most of one
“Think about why you’re taking the break and how you’d like to feel at the end of it. Do one thing each day that moves you towards that goal.”
Sport
Opinion
State of Origin
Reece Walsh selection smacks of Queensland desperation
Queensland will be much better in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium, but the selection of 18-year-old Walsh at fullback is a real gamble.
Andrew Johns
NSW Rugby investigates allegation of racist slurs of Indigenous teenager
An Indigenous boy was left distraught after playing in the under-14s NSW Junior Rugby Union State Championship on June 14.
Rainbow flag protester hauled off in Munich, Ronaldo record at Euros
Euro 2020’s group of death lived up to its name on a dramatic morning which ultimately saw all but Hungary progress at the tournament.
New Zealand shed bridesmaid’s tag with maiden WTC title
Beaten in the last two World Cup finals, the Kiwis became Test cricket’s first official world champions after prevailing in a match plagued by bad weather.
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.
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.
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.