Just in
Latest
Woman convicted of swapping pebbles for gems in audacious London heist
The woman secretly swapped seven pebbles for $7.94 million worth of diamonds during the heist at a luxury jewelry store in London’s Mayfair district.
- by Danica Kirka
Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine gets slightly weaker over time
The vaccine had a sky-high efficacy rate of about 96 per cent against symptomatic COVID-19 for the first two months, but then declined about 6 per cent every two months after that, a study showed.
- by Carl Zimmer and Sharon LaFraniere
As it happened Tokyo Olympics: Racism storm erupts; Olyroos out after loss to Egypt
It’s been a glorious day for Australia, as Ariarne Titmus grabbed her second gold - among an incredible glut of six medals won on or in the water.
- by Vince Rugari, Daniel Cherny, Claire Siracusa and Roy Ward
Closing the Gap: Indigenous suicide and incarceration rates rising
The first analysis of Closing the Gap data has been released, a year after a historic agreement was reached to reduce the inequality faced by Indigenous people.
- by Cameron Gooley
![Untitled [Portrait of a Woman] Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, was purchased in 2009.](http://web.archive.org./web/20210728171720im_/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.2297%2C$multiply_0.6243%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_140/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/df29b8fb28f69c719ed6c8b910f5485c74cb4df2)
National Gallery hands $3 million in looted art back to India
The National Gallery of Australia is set finally to purge its collection of artworks associated with disgraced art dealer Subhash Kapoor.
- by Nick Galvin
CBD
City life
Green power push going brine and dandy for Julie Bishop
The fashion-forward former foreign minister is again ahead of the tech curve.
- by Stephen Brook and Nick Bonyhady
As it happened: Sydney’s lockdown extended until end of August as NSW records 177 new local COVID-19 cases; Victoria restrictions eased
Sydney’s lockdown is extended by another four weeks, Victoria’s restrictions have eased and Queensland police have taken action against a couple behind the state’s latest coronavirus scare.
- by Broede Carmody and Josh Dye
Hockeyroos, Kookaburras keep perfect records intact
The Hockeyroos and Kookaburras are both travelling nicely, having continued their winning ways at the Toyko Olympics on Wednesday.
- by Phil Blanche
Updated
Tokyo Olympics
‘That was my job and I did it good’: Roglic wins time trial as Dennis settles for bronze
Australian cyclist Rohan Dennis has won bronze after facing a short but nervous wait to stay in contention. It came after compatriot Grace Brown narrowly missed out on the podium.
- by Sophie Smith
Updated
Tokyo Olympics
Australian men spiked out of beach volleyball but women power on
The Australian women’s volleyball team has surged into the Olympic knockout stages but the men are out, going down to Spain in a must-win final pool game.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Boomers rise to occasion in tight win over Italy to stay undefeated
With Patty Mills and Joe Ingles tightly held, Australia’s big men stepped up to take their side to a clutch win over Italy.
- by Roy Ward
Opinion
Tokyo Olympics
Games’ magic moments show athletes rising above the controversy
On a bad day, the whole Olympics thing really can look like a soulless exercise. But so far in Tokyo, it has been all good days.
- by Peter FitzSimons
We’re back: Australia’s big day has nation basking under the Tokyo sun
The Australian team moved beyond the disappointments of London and Rio to equal its most successful single day in Olympic history.
- by Chip Le Grand
Post-lockdown rules, Victorians know them inside out
Victorians are again navigating the granular details of post-lockdown restrictions that look slightly different every time the state edges back towards normality.
- by Michael Fowler and Melissa Cunningham
Opinion
Mental health
For the ultimate power move, look to Simone and Naomi
Society typically hails those for triumphing over adversity, and punishes those who quit. Could giving up be a good thing? Maybe even a pathway to enriched success?
- by Samantha Selinger-Morris
Thousands of aged care workers at risk of missing mandatory vaccine cut off
Aged care providers have told a Senate committee they are concerned a large percentage of their staff won’t meet the mid-September deadline for vaccination.
- by Rachel Clun
Tokyo governor wants more hospital beds for record COVID infections
She also wants young people to stop going out and to get vaccinated ASAP. The Prime Minister says there’s no need to cancel the remainder of the Olympics.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Titmus gold helps a swimming legend reconcile with her lost triumph
Ariarne Titmus has twin Olympic golds. In the stands, Susie O’Neill would look at her own Sydney 2000 victory in a new light.
- by Phil Lutton and Tom Decent
No more Dressel rehearsals, Chalmers will need race of his life to defend 100m freestyle crown
Kyle Chalmers is one flawless swim away from etching himself into Olympic folklore, but a US superstar is standing in his way.
- by Tom Decent
National cabinet to plot path out of lockdown, payments return to original JobKeeper levels
The country’s leaders on Friday will look at how many Australians must be vaccinated in order to end lockdowns, while income support has returned to the level of the original JobKeeper scheme.
- by Rachel Clun and Katina Curtis
Qantas flight organised for ‘vulnerable’ Australians stuck in Indonesia
The Australian government is working with the airline to organise expat flights from Indonesia, which has become the global epicentre of the COVID-19 virus.
- by Chris Barrett
Even as Titmus takes centre stage, Ledecky is still making women’s swimming history
Katie Ledecky became the first women’s Olympic 1500m freestyle champion on Wednesday, washing away the disappointment of the 400m and 200m.
- by Malcolm Knox
‘Beyond not good enough’: Alleged Westpac fraudster slammed in court
Alleged Westpac fraudster Bill Papas is refusing to return to Australia unless he receives more money to fund his lifestyle and return tickets to Greece.
- by Sarah Danckert and Charlotte Grieve
Passing the mantle: Australia celebrates the new Oarsome Foursome
A day after the 25th anniversary of the original Oarsome Foursome’s gold, Australia delivered an awesome day on the water in rowing.
- by Michael Gleeson
From the futon
Tokyo Olympics
Stop calling BS whenever athletes like Simone Biles cite mental health
Gymnastics is a brutal sport that borders on inhumane. When the greatest of all time says it’s too much, we should listen.
- by Andrew Webster
‘You couldn’t row because of the drought’: Australian women make history in forgotten event
The women’s coxless four was dropped from the Olympics for 30 years. The Australian quartet celebrated its return in style.
- by Michael Gleeson
Updated
Tokyo Olympics
Simone Biles pulls out of individual final
Superstar gymnast Simone Biles has withdrawn from Thursday’s all-around competition to focus on her mental wellbeing, and will not defend her Olympic title.
- by Chip Le Grand and Malcolm Knox
One in 10 workers to lose job in Sydney as food prices surge
Major banks are warning up to 300,000 jobs in Sydney will be lost due to extended lockdowns, as prices for staples rise at double the rate of wages growth.
- by Jennifer Duke and Shane Wright
‘Fortress Australia’ is good for our economy, top investor says
Airlie Funds Management portfolio manager Emma Fisher says lockdowns mean more government stimulus, lower-for-longer interest rates and keep consumers’ money in Australia.
- by Charlotte Grieve
Thredbo’s Stuart Diver on how to survive a natural disaster, or a pandemic
Thredbo disaster survivor Stuart Diver is putting his personal knowledge to good use in a new podcast about natural disasters and how to survive them.
- by Karl Quinn
Explainer
Coronavirus pandemic
Do we have a vaccine stockpile?
NSW has received 350,000 extra doses of vaccines but Australia hasn’t boosted its Pfizer order, and no states have lost out. How does that work?
- by Rachel Clun
ABC defence in Porter defamation case can be given to SA Coroner, court orders
The Federal Court varied suppression orders on Wednesday to allow redacted parts of the ABC’s defence to be given to the South Australian Coroner.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Former Don Dale child inmates to share in record $35 million settlement
Children mistreated in facilities like the infamous Don Dale detention centre have won a $35m payout after the NT government reached a record-breaking settlement.
- by Cameron Gooley
Fears for WA man missing after driving through rising floodwaters near Wagin
A Jit Khan, 34, was on his way home from Perth to Katanning on Tuesday morning when his grey Triton became stranded in rising floodwaters on Ballagin Road in Piesseville.
- by Heather McNeill
Man bitten by shark on fishing trip near remote Pilbara islands
The man travelled on a fishing charter overnight to Exmouth, where ambulance crews took him to hospital.
- by Marta Pascual Juanola
‘Justice for Noor’: Outcry over beheading of ex-diplomat’s daughter
The killing of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam on the grounds of an Islamabad mansion has roused anger over Pakistan’s record of protecting women from violence.
- by Miriam Berger
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Will the Delta variant wreck America’s economic recovery?
The coronavirus variant puts at risk the kind of rapid recovery that has been underway for months, and has already caused several wobbly days on Wall Street.
- by Neil Irwin
★★★★½
Review
McCartney: Vintage music documentary that doesn’t stoop to nostalgia
In this part-masterclass, part-conversation documentary, music producer Rick Rubin taps wonderful memories of the Beatle.
- by Craig Mathieson
Marshall back for Saints, as Curnow firms for Blues’ return
Carlton forward Charlie Curnow insists he is ready to again be on the AFL stage, while the Saints will welcome back Rowan Marshall on Friday night.
- by Jon Pierik
‘They’re already online’: Facebook to launch Instagram for tweens
Facebook is set to target children as it prepares to launch Instagram for tweens and introduces child protection safety updates for existing users.
- by Cara Waters
‘Most significant expansion’: China builds nuclear missile silos in desert
The vast site, spread over nearly 500 square km in the Xinjiang region, is thought to house 110 silos for launching weapons.
- by Jamie Johnson
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
How the coronavirus pandemic has affected young people
Today on Please Explain, social affairs editor Jewel Topsfield joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the impact of the pandemic on young people.
- by Nathanael Cooper
A gift from the GOAT: Simone Biles shows it’s OK to choke
Biles deciding not to compete in the gymnastics team final in Tokyo on Tuesday night told us more about this remarkable woman than had she performed brilliantly to win another gold medal.
- by Chip Le Grand
‘Pharma bro’ Martin Shkreli settles debts by selling Wu-Tang Clan album
The notorious entrepreneur, due for release from jail in October 2022, said he was “pleased with the sale price and RIP ODB”.
- by Larry Neumeister
Number of unused AstraZeneca vaccines in Australia tops 3 million
The World Health Organisation says Australia should give unwanted vaccines to countries that could use them.
- by Latika Bourke
Roberts-Smith being treated like ‘human piñata’, his lawyer tells defamation trial
The war veteran’s barrister said the defamation trial could not keep “dragging on” amid the COVID-19 pandemic and needed to be concluded as soon as possible.
- by Michaela Whitbourn
Opinion
Iron ore
Rio and BHP shareholders should enjoy the cash deluge while it lasts
Rio and BHP will shower their shareholders with cash, again, this year. But there are clouds appearing as a more threatening future moves rapidly towards the mining giants.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Dune and Princess Diana biopic to debut at a starry Venice Film Festival
The festival, scheduled to run September 1-11, will also see the presentation of new films by Pedro Almodovar, Ridley Scott and Jane Campion.
- by Alex Marshall
Australia’s medicines sector fights against vaccine IP waiver plan
Medicines Australia is the latest pharma group to warn against a proposal to relax intellectual property rights for vaccines, saying it will not improve equitable access to doses.
- by Emma Koehn
Analysis
AFL 2021
Buckley has temporarily departed the AFL scene, but for Demons he isn’t forgotten
Nathan Buckley had a farewell to remember when the Magpies disposed of Melbourne at the SCG, and it could be argued the Demons have not been the same since.
- by Jon Pierik
★★★★
Review
The Rock and Emily Blunt’s new film is good fun, and full of wit
This blithely uninhibited yarn combines plots from a host of other adventure movies.
- by Sandra Hall
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
COVID authoritarianism sweeps across Europe – but the economy is saved
Europeans have watched Britain’s “pingdemic” and drawn their conclusions: they will not let those who refuse to get vaccinated prevent the full reopening of the economy.
- by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
Joe Biden to require vaccines for all federal workers: report
The US President plans to announce “next steps” in the effort to get more Americans to get the vaccination, as the country copes with outbreaks of the Delta variant.
- by Nandita Bose
As Glasgow approaches, China shuns coal projects in Belt and Road for first time
The lack of funding from China for the dirtiest fossil fuel comes amid increased scrutiny from investors and environmental groups over carbon emissions.
- by Bloomberg News
US health authority says vaccinated people should wear masks indoors
The change by the CDC was warranted but “I think we will get blowback because I think people might view it as backtracking,” said a Cornell University public health official.
- by David Shepardson and Julie Steenhuysen
Delay the Ashes or change rules to avoid farcical tour
If families of the England players are not allowed to enter Australia then the England and Wales Cricket Board must stand firm and say series is off.
- by Michael Vaughan
With points for perfect timing, show about women in parliament reveals ugly truths
Annabel Crabb’s four-part series Ms Represented is a timely discussion of Australian women’s involvement in politics.
- by Debi Enker
Aishwarya’s parents ready to ‘climb a mountain’ to stop further hospital deaths
Aswath Chavittupara is focused on the couple’s goal to effect real and lasting change at Perth Children’s Hospital and the broader health system.
- by Hamish Hastie
Opinion
Olympics
It’s the human story in these COVID-marred Olympics we all needed
The past 18 months of the pandemic have dulled our senses, lowered our horizons and curtailed our ambitions, and are a reminder that there is more to life than COVID.
- by Gareth Parker
Apple, Microsoft, Google profits soared as the COVID-19 pandemic began to fade
Although Apple, Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet make their money in different ways, their latest results served as another reminder of the clout they wield.
- by Associated Press
Analysis
US politics
Who hired the hitman? Police officers demand answers from Capitol riot committee
Often tearful, sometimes profane, the officers called the rioters “terrorists” engaged in an “attempted coup” during a 3-1/2 hour congressional hearing.
- by Dan Balz
Going green: BHP trumps Twiggy in nickel deal, Rio to build $3.3b lithium mine
The world’s biggest miners are accelerating their push into metals poised to benefit from the green-energy transition.
- by Thomas Biesheuvel and Misha Savic
I wouldn’t sign a China trade deal now: Tony Abbott
As prime minister, Abbott struck the China-Australia free trade deal in 2014 and lauded it as one of his government’s biggest achievements in office.
- by Latika Bourke
Exclusive
White collar crime
Forum’s $500,000 car crash footage emerges as wealthy investors dodge bullet
The spectacular crash comes as high net worth investors unknowingly funded the alleged fraudsters’ purchase of a $50 million property portfolio using Westpac’s money.
- by Sarah Danckert and Charlotte Grieve
Updated
World markets
ASX set to retreat as tech giants help end Wall Street’s winning streak
Wall Street eases off its record highs as technology companies slump, setting up the Australian sharemarket for a negative start to the session.
- by Damian Troise and Alex Veiga
Exclusive
Income tax
Stage 3 tax cuts to cost $184 billion as decade of deficits looms
A new analysis of the government’s upcoming tax cuts, now supported by Labor, shows they will cost the budget more than $184 billion by 2031.
- by Shane Wright
Exclusive
Organised crime
Organised criminals are ‘trusted insiders’ in some of Australia’s biggest freight firms
Law enforcement agencies are looking closely at employees of the companies that import and distribute goods around Australia for links to major organised crime.
- by Nick McKenzie
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Delta dip locked in for economy, but what goes down must come up
The economy is in much better shape now than at the end of 2019. So it’s not such a bad time to cope with the setback that the current lockdowns will inevitably deliver.
- by Ross Gittins
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, reviving a case over a dam rupture behind Brazil’s worst environmental disaster.
- by Kirstin Ridley
Atlanta spa shooter pleads guilty to four murders
In his first public comments since the massacre, Robert Aaron Long calmly described how he purchased a firearm and went to the spas earlier this year.
- by Rich McKay