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Major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion emailed every morning.
69,000 jabs a day needed to reach NSW’s 6 million target
NSW will need to maintain some of its highest daily rates on record to reach the doses needed by August’s end for restrictions to start easing.
NSW should ‘abandon the pipe dream of zero cases’, Sydney mayor says
Cumberland City Council mayor Steve Christou – whose territory is one of eight hotspot areas – said his community cannot cope with ongoing “suffocating” lockdowns.
‘Kind-hearted’ man, 27, dies hours away from COVID-19 isolation freedom
Aude “Ady” Alaskar died on Tuesday night after what health authorities have described as a sudden deterioration.
Virus detected in Hunter just days after jabs diverted to Sydney
Fragments of the virus have been detected in sewage in the Hunter-New England area days after thousands of appointments were cancelled at a mass vaccination hub.
Live
Tokyo Olympics
Drama in men’s team pursuit final as Australia win bronze
It was incredibly close the whole way through - until one of the New Zealand riders crashed out mid-race.
‘He expects to win’: Peter Bol’s journey to an Olympic final
Peter Bol has spent his life running from something and to something. Tonight, he might reach his goal.
King’s gambit: Malaysian PM buys time after standoff with monarch
Notoriously volatile, Malaysian politics has outdone itself as dissatisfaction has grown with the government’s handling of COVID-19.
Tencent boss loses $19 billion in rout, more than Jack Ma
Turns out even the most compliant billionaires aren’t immune to China’s regulatory onslaught.
‘Grave risk’: Tight rules prevent DIY use of rapid COVID tests
The makers of rapid COVID-19 tests face strict controls that will let them provide them only to registered labs and health professionals.
Three Wallabies dropped from Bledisloe opener after drinking session
Marika Koroibete, Pone Fa’amausili and Isi Naisarani have been stood down for Saturday’s Test after a late-night drinking session.
In-N-Out Burger suing Aussie business over ‘ghost kitchens’
The US burger giant is suing Rich Asians Pty Ltd after it operated on three food delivery services as “In-N-Out Aussie Burgers”.
Air passenger taped to his seat after assault of flight attendants
Air flight crews says mid-flight hostilities have been increasingly common in recent months.
Remix Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa in Apple’s Garageband update
For fans of pop who are just getting started with making music, Apple’s software is more compelling than ever.
Will Meghan’s 40s be the decade she hits her stride?
As the Duchess of Sussex celebrates a significant birthday, many believe her next ambition is to take on Washington.
Sydney
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
‘Basically grounded’: Block of 101 units locked down in COVID scare
Residents have been determined to be close contacts and will be repeatedly tested during their 14-day home isolation.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Religious leaders warn faithful against vaccine conspiracy theories
Concerns on conspiracy theories fuelling vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable migrant communities in Sydney’s west have been raised.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
NSW Health asks schools for student details as vaccine bookings set to open
Principals have been given less than 24 hours to provide details as NSW Health rushes students through first jabs over five days.
Sydney’s virus epicentre has the lowest vaccination rates
Meantime, areas in the eastern suburbs, northern Sydney and the Hawkesbury have the highest rates of residents fully vaccinated.
‘One life event away’: Homeless urged to complete the census
Welfare and advocacy groups are urging homeless people, including those living in temporary housing, to complete the form.
Politics
Holgate takes million-dollar payout from Aus Post, but no apology
Christine Holgate has received a payout from Australia Post for her controversial downfall as chief executive over the Cartier watches scandal.
Business
‘Extreme anxiety’: Alleged Westpac fraudster breaks silence
Bill Papas has blamed poor mental health, bad technology and the European holiday season for failing to meet court deadlines.
World
Hijacking, hanging and defection prompt outcry against Belarus
British PM Boris Johnson was the most prominent of many politicians and activists condemning Belarus’ ruthless approach to dissidents.
Opinion
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Property bydomain
This could be the bargain hoarder house you've been searching for
A hoarder house filled to the brim has been deemed unsafe to enter but, this being Australian real estate, it seems buyers aren't bothered.
Houses are earning more than surgeons, psychiatrists and CEOs
Home owners are out-earning some of Australia's top professionals, with price growth seeing house values climb by more than $1000 per day in some cities.
Life & Culture
The slasher film is having a (bloody) moment right now
The subgenre is finding a new profile on streaming services, which are in turn mutating its classic VHS-era rules.
Sport
‘Our group is pretty angry’: Three Wallabies dropped from Bledisloe opener after drinking session
Marika Koroibete, Pone Fa’amausili and Isi Naisarani have been stood down for Saturday’s Eden Park Test after a late-night drinking session.
Live
Tokyo Olympics
Tokyo Olympics LIVE updates: Opals’ campaign is over, bronze at the velodrome, Australia qualify two for women’s 1500m final
Australian Peter Bol lines up in the men’s 800m final tonight. Elsewhere, Australian women’s basketball team crashed out in the quarters and Australia won team pursuit bronze in track cycling.
Australian sailors end with an exclamation mark as they ease to Olympic gold
It might be Australia’s easiest gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics, but Mathew Belcher and Will Ryan won’t be able to defend their victory at Paris 2024.
Shoe wars: World records spike on track as battle of brands intensifies
A second 400m hurdles world record in as many days has turned the focus on the high-tech shoes worn by the athletes.
Mills signs with Nets and Landale inks NBA deal, but focus is on gold
Patty Mills and Jock Landale have signed new NBA deals but Mills says the Boomers have pledged to let nothing distract them from beating the USA in their semi-final on Thursday and keeping their gold medal hopes alive.
From the futon
Tokyo Olympics
What climbing could learn from the ancient Olympic sport of rugby league
Sport climbing has made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics. Why?
Pangai and Radley set to reprise running battle in Panthers-Roosters clash
While all the talk has been about the 10-year anniversary of the “Battle of Brookvale”, the clash of the round could be the one between Tevita Pangai jnr and Victor Radley.
Have Your Say
My Olympics First XI: Ten bouquets and one brickbat
This doesn’t pretend to be an objective list. But for what it’s worth here are my first XI impressions from these fabulous Olympic Games.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
