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‘It’s just so difficult’: Victorians face tough choices as NSW border tightens
Melbourne mother Natalie Dunlop went to bed on Thursday night thinking she would soon get to see her husband and one-year-old son after several days apart. But news announced overnight changed that.
From limousine to lockdown: How Sydney’s outbreak got out of control
After months of relative normality, Sydney’s complacency was shattered this week as the highly transmissible Delta strain of COVID-19 leaked into the community.
Richmond on the rocks after notching lowest score since 1961
Richmond’s premiership credentials have been rocked by a shock 40-point defeat to St Kilda at the MCG, 9.8 (62) to 2.10 (22), and a knee injury to full-back Noah Balta.
Tigers fear ACL tear for key defender Noah Balta
Richmond is fearing the worst for full-back Noah Balta, who suffered a suspected ACL tear just before three-quarter time in Friday night’s loss to St Kilda.
Updated
AFL 2021
Daniher fined for staging against Cats
The AFL has slapped a $1000 fine on Brisbane Lions forward Joe Daniher for staging for a free kick in Thursday night’s game against Geelong.
Australians feared among the missing as toll rises in Miami apartment collapse
The death toll has climbed to four, according to local media, with rescuers spending the night listening for signs of life beneath the rubble.
Union says pay rise for MPs should extend to public servants
Victorian MPs have been awarded a 2.5 per cent salary increase from next week, cementing Premier Daniel Andrews’ position as the highest paid state leader in Australia.
Exclusive
Workplace culture
Political leaders must ‘cut loose’ men who behave badly with impunity
Labor stalwart Jenny Macklin and new MP Kate Thwaites are furious about a parliamentary culture they say has allowed men to behave badly without fear of punishment.
Dark side of the Chippendales: murder, arson, ‘feeling objectified’
The all-male strip show turns out to be more than harmless kitsch, according to a new podcast.
Artists, artisans unite in bid to save the ‘heart of Melbourne’
‘Heart of the city’: tenants of the historic Nicholas Building, which is up for sale, are calling for its artists’ studios to be retained.
Capturing life at the speed of light: NGV shows art’s ‘rock stars’
The French Impressionism winter blockbuster exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria makes up in beauty what it lacks in shock value.
Alpine snowfields prepare to welcome visitors as mandatory coronavirus testing is scrapped
Peter Stiebel packs the car and travels three hours to Mount Buller every weekend during the snow season in search of the perfect snow fall.
Where beauty meets danger, there’s a risk people are willing to take
There are calls for a re-examination of planning rules in the storm-battered Dandenong Ranges.
How renegade tech mogul John McAfee squandered a fortune
John McAfee always saw himself as an outlaw, fighting against corrupt central governments. But his toxic mix of paranoia and libertarianism, encouraged by Silicon Valley’s ideologies, would ultimately lead to his demise.
‘I don’t want that pressure’: Porte settles for support role at Tour de France
Richie Porte, one of only two Australians to finish on the podium at the Tour de France, says he was never part of the “boys club” of elite cycling in Australia.
‘I deserve to have a life’: Inside Britney Spears’ bid for independence
The pop star has been under her father’s legal control since 2008. She explained to a Los Angeles judge this week why it’s time for that to change.
Explainer
Space
Amazon CEO is blasting into space next month. Why can’t he get insurance?
A quick guide to Jeff Bezos’s big trip (and what it means for space tourism).
WEEKEND READS
Stephen Fry reveals the relationship advice that helped him ‘relax’
The actor, writer and TV host waxes philosophically on his years of celibacy, the need for laughter - and ideas making his brain hum.
Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi: ‘Since moving here I’ve started swearing a lot’
The first Muslim woman in the NSW Parliament discusses receiving death threats, her three-decade arranged marriage, and why politics made her develop self-doubt and swearing habits.
Local
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
Two COVID-positive Victorian men have highly contagious Delta variant
Eighteen new exposures sites were added to the list of high-risk venues on Thursday, the first new exposure sites in eight days, just hours before eased restrictions came into effect.
Calls for contaminated West Gate Tunnel soil to be treated and not dumped in landfill
A scientist has questioned plans to send the contaminated soil to landfill, and says a more sustainable method should be adopted for future infrastructure projects.
Melbourne man, 18, dies after boxing head knocks
The death of an 18-year-old who died following blows to the head while boxing will be examined by the coroner after it was revealed he went to doctors and emergency department complaining of pain.
‘Disgusting’: Roberts-Smith denies taking nude photos to blackmail woman
The former special forces soldier’s personal life came under intense scrutiny on Friday during his defamation case against The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Andrew O’Keefe domestic violence charges dismissed on mental health grounds
The former Channel Seven star was in a manic bipolar state when he spat at his partner, slapped her and kicked her in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in January, a magistrate found.
AFL 2021
Dogs beware: Eagles bring in four stars, Burgoyne to be sub, Murphy in for Blues
Sitting seventh on the ladder and cruelled by injury for much of the year, the Eagles have welcomed back the quartet of Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey, Brad Sheppard and Tim Kelly to take on the Bulldogs.
Opinion
Why is AFL the only pro sport to never have an openly gay male player?
Here’s a hint: There is a delusion of inclusion in the sport sector that multiple studies have revealed.
Erik Denison
Politics
Porter seeking unredacted Annabel Crabb text messages
Mr Porter is seeking to overturn three judgments and a suppression order in a case linked to his ABC defamation proceedings.
Business
Boral knocks back sweeter bid from billionaire Kerry Stokes’ Seven Group
Building materials giant Boral’s management is sticking to its guns and told shareholders to steer clear of Seven Group’s overtures.
World
A coronavirus epidemic 20,000 years ago left its marks in human DNA
“It should make us worry,” said evolutionary biologist David Enard. “What is going on right now might be going on for generations and generations.”
Opinion
Barnaby Joyce’s frenzied energy keeps all alert to being burned
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
Maggoted? It would be kinder to say tired and emotional
Janine Perrett
Journalist, broadcaster and commentator
Explore
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Property bydomain
'It's a significant saving': Buyers rush to auctions ahead of stamp duty deadline
Melbourne is preparing for a bumper weekend of auctions as Victorian home buyers make a last-ditch attempt to secure a home before tax discounts end.
'Vertical cruise ships': Apartment residents see red at lack of virus plan
Apartment buildings can be COVID-19 super-spreaders 'like vertical cruise ships', but those in the sector say they can't get answers on what to do if there's a case.
Life & Culture
Opinion
Family
My daughters wrote an email to their inspiring parent. It wasn’t me
Meanwhile, their father is left to clean the dunny.
Anson Cameron
Sport
Richmond on the rocks after notching lowest score since 1961
Richmond’s premiership credentials have been rocked by a shock 40-point defeat to St Kilda at the MCG, 9.8 (62) to 2.10 (22), and a knee injury to full-back Noah Balta.
United they stand: Melbourne tames Wildcats to claim NBL title
Melbourne United were made to work but Jock Landale and Chris Goulding helped deliver a series sweep of the Perth Wildcats in their best-of-five grand-final series.
‘I don’t want that pressure any more’: Porte settles for support role at Tour de France
Richie Porte, one of only two Australians to finish on the podium at the Tour de France, opens up on his relationship with Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome, and says he was never part of the “boys club” of elite cycling in Australia.
Major Barty rival for Wimbledon missing, Kyrgios to meet a familiar foe
One of Ashleigh Barty’s leading rivals for Wimbledon, Simona Halep, has succumbed to injury, while returning Australian Nick Kyrgios confronts a familiar foe in the opening round.
AFL 2021 as it happened: Saints stun Tigers in upset win, Balta likely tears his ACL
Richmond and St Kilda will square off at the MCG on Friday night in a last ditch chance for the Saints to make the finals, while the Tigers resume their pursuit for the top four.
FaceTime tears: Finch’s family call to ease bubble fatigue
Father-to-be Aaron Finch this weekend leads a depleted team to the Caribbean for the first of two tours in bubbles that will see the squad away from loved ones for two months.
Updated
AFL 2021
Daniher fined for staging against Cats
The AFL has slapped a $1000 fine on Brisbane Lions forward Joe Daniher for staging for a free kick in Thursday night’s game against Geelong.
Have Your Say
How to keep Jake Stringer lean and keen
A new four-yeal deal for Bomber is still a big commitment, writes Wayne Carey. If Jake Stringer arrived at Essendon on $500,000 a year, on form he’s become every bit the $700,000 player.
Wayne Carey
Two-time AFL premiership captain
