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Morning Edition
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Sydney’s lockdown to be extended by four weeks
The extension comes as the state banks on young people in Sydney’s west taking up the AstraZeneca vaccine to stem surging COVID-19 case numbers.
Berejiklian refuses to back calls for return of JobKeeper
The Premier won’t lobby the federal government for the return of JobKeeper despite Sydney’s lockdown being extended and new data revealing spending across the city is at the lowest levels since the pandemic began.
Exclusive
Education
The King’s School reports teacher for attending lockdown protest
The school contacted police about a teacher who attended Saturday’s protest then confessed to it on a social media post seen by students.
Two-day delay between NSW Health alert and mall’s COVID-19 warning
NSW Health notified the public about COVID-19 infections linked to a Campsie shopping centre up to two days after shopping management alerted retailers.
Analysis
Coronavirus pandemic
Doing the maths on the AstraZeneca vaccine
If our brains are so bad at assessing risk, how do we rationally decide whether to have AstraZeneca’s vaccine?
Updated
Tokyo Olympics
‘I have to focus on my mental health’: Simone Biles withdraws from team final
The superstar gymnast withdrew from Tuesday night’s teams competition, and it was unclear whether she would compete in Tokyo again.
‘It’s anyone’s race’: Titmus aiming to emulate Gould in second Ledecky showdown
Two days after Ariarne Titmus beat Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle final, the Australian is out for more glory in the 200m freestyle decider.
Matildas advance to knockout stages with scoreless draw against US
The Matildas gave as good as they got and thoroughly deserved their point from a scoreless draw against the world champions.
‘He’s added the gyration movement’: Lawrence a big fan of Boxall’s outburst
Who did it better - Laurie Lawrence in 1988 or Dean Boxall in 2021? Forget the celebrations, Lawrence says Ariarne Titmus dethroning Katie Ledecky was nothing short of spectacular.
‘Apologist for these thugs’: Ray Hadley slams Alan Jones
The 2GB host is waging war on his ex-colleague over Alan Jones’ ongoing COVID-19 commentary on Sky News.
Exclusive
Organised crime
Organised criminals are ‘trusted insiders’ in some of Australia’s biggest freight firms
Authorities are looking closely at employees of the companies that import and distribute goods around Australia.
London judges reverse course to reopen $9b Brazil dam lawsuit against BHP
The Court of Appeal made a U-turn by agreeing to reopen the lawsuit against the mining giant.
The best fiction and non-fiction books to pick up this week
Michelle Zauner’s Crying in H Mart is a striking blend of essay and memoir. Meanwhile, in fiction, Melbourne-based Max Barry has achieved success by refusing to be pigeon-holed.
I’m not coping with my promotion. What should I do?
After a questioner took a position he always wanted, only to realise he wasn’t ready for the extra responsibility, our resident expert has a few reassurances.
Sydney
Suspected gunman arrested after allegedly producing firearm during police stop
NSW Police have arrested a suspected gunman who allegedly produced a firearm when officers attempted to question him after stopping his vehicle in Sydney’s west.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Taxpayers spend more than $580 million on COVID-19 testing in NSW
Laboratories have performed 2.2 million tests since Sydney’s outbreak began six weeks ago and private pathology companies receive a Medicare subsidy of $85 per test.
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
‘Imprisonment’: Blacktown unit block in lockdown after outbreak
An apartment complex has been forced into lockdown after six residents across three households tested positive.
NSW crews prepare to battle Canadian wildfires
Extended drought and heatwaves across North America are causing dangerous conditions.
Man accused of striking horse has right to fair trial ‘compromised’, lawyer says
Kristian Pulkownik’s lawyer claims he has not been able to speak to his client, who remains in custody.
Politics
Exclusive
Healthcare
Federal Labor set to dump multibillion-dollar cancer and dental pledges
Labor is set to swing the axe on its pledges for free cancer treatment and dental care for pensioners in an effort to slimline its election spending promises.
Business
ASX set to retreat as tech giants push Wall Street lower
Wall Street eases off its record highs as technology companies slump, setting up the Australian sharemarket for a negative start to the session.
World
Triple threat: Japan and its leader face tropical, COVID and political storms
Tokyo is staring at a typhoon, searing heat and a record number of daily infections. Its Prime Minister is facing a different storm.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
'Couldn't think of anything worse': Sydneysiders shun inner city
The premium people are prepared to pay to live close to the city is forecast to fall more steeply in the next three to five years.
Gap between house and unit rents gets first-home buyers into the market
A widening gap between rents for houses and units across Australia's capitals could open a window for first-home buyers to get into the market quicker.
Life & Culture
From opera to undies: Out-of-work prop guy solves a hidden problem
Working up to 14-hour days in his job as deputy head of props for Opera Australia, Adamson has long been bothered by a hidden problem.
Sport
Updated
Tokyo Olympics
‘I have to focus on my mental health’: Simone Biles pulls out of team final
Superstar gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from Tuesday night’s competition at the Tokyo Olympics, saying she had to focus on her mental health.
‘It’s been a long time coming’: Josh Green making the most of his Boomers debut
Despite moving to the US to chase his basketball dreams, NBA guard Josh Green has long desired to play for Australia and his dreams have come true at this Olympics.
From the futon
Tokyo Olympics
I have developed an unhealthy infatuation with table tennis and that’s OK
Ever heard of ‘The Anaconda’? ‘The Defentist’? Welcome to the magical world of table tennis.
Langer hopes Australia’s one-day win not a T20 mirage
Australia’s success in the one-day series against the West Indies can’t hide their T20 failings as the World Cup approaches.
Updated
Tokyo Olympics
‘Beacon of light’: How surfing’s Olympic inclusion helped Wright climb out of the darkness
Australia’s first ever Olympic surfing medallist has revealed how the sport’s inclusion at Tokyo 2020 changed his life and helped him recover from a traumatic concussion he suffered six years ago.
‘It’s anyone’s race’: Titmus aiming to emulate Gould in second Ledecky showdown
Two days after Ariarne Titmus beat Katie Ledecky in the 400m freestyle final, the Australian is out for more glory in the 200m freestyle decider.
Updated
NRL 2021
James Roberts being investigated for quarantine balcony breach
The Wests Tigers centre allegedly breached a Queensland Health directive to keep balcony doors shut at a hotel where NRL families and some players are quarantining.
Have Your Say
Funk spoils the party but it’s Fox who’s the gatecrasher
Jessica Fox’s dreams of gold have been dashed, yet a bid at redemption still awaits in Tokyo thanks to a personal crusade.
Malcolm Knox
Journalist, author and columnist
