Explainer newsletter
Fascinating answers to perplexing questions delivered to your inbox every week.
Listen to News with The Age
Daily briefings on your smart speakers and wherever you get your podcasts.
Daily puzzles
Challenge yourself with today’s puzzles.
One in five CBD shops vacant, but some are seizing opportunity
Empty shops in the Melbourne CBD present a challenge for the city council and opportunities for some bold traders.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
COVID-19 booster shots to be available six months after second dose
Australia’s booster program is expected to start in November with aged care residents and frontline health workers who were first in line earlier this year.
Nearly 100 tram staff isolating after driver tests positive; new regional tier-1 sites listed
A Yarra Trams spokesperson said the driver, based at its Malvern depot in the city’s south-east, tested positive for the virus yesterday.
Updated
Missing person
Tent zipper clue: Police hold ‘grave concerns’ for Cleo’s safety
The position of the zipper on the tent Cleo disappeared from was too high for the young girl to reach, leading police to hold “grave concerns” for her safety.
Woolworths pulls knives, scissors from shelves after Brunswick stabbing
A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said it made the decision with the safety and wellbeing of staff and customers in mind.
Analysis
Berejiklian inquiry
‘Devastated’ Baird’s evidence builds case against Berejiklian
Her former mentor has helped put another brick in the wall of ICAC’s case against Gladys Berejiklian.
Analysis
Glasgow summit
Jacinda Ardern’s climate summit problem is the opposite of Scott Morrison’s
Why is Ardern, who called climate change the nuclear-free issue of her generation, not making the trip to Glasgow?
‘No second planet’: France urges Australia to greater climate action
France’s ambassador has urged Australia to increase its commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions ahead of the Glasgow climate summit next month.
The Bachelorette is back: Six things to know from the first episode
There were carpenters galore, a stolen bench and a stolen kiss.
Queen Elizabeth cancels trip, told to rest by doctors
Queen Elizabeth has accepted medical advice to rest and has cancelled a planned visit to Northern Ireland.
Opinion
Australian Open
Heard immunity: No-vax Novak saying nothing
Australia still treats COVID-19 as an emergency. This attracts criticism here and scorn around the world, but it’s saved thousands of lives. The world’s No.1 tennis player is likely to find that the Australian Open is shut to him.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
‘It’s just messy’: Bogut concerned about Simmons’ ugly Sixers stand-off
Andrew Bogut wants Ben Simmons to shun his minders and take responsibility for his decisions after he was suspended by the Philadelphia 76ers for not joining in a training drill on Wednesday.
Opinion
Casinos
Cue the fireworks: The casino sector nears its day of reckoning
The clock is ticking for Crown Resorts, as the Victorian state government mulls over the findings of the royal commission. Meanwhile, Star Entertainment’s management can expect a serious public grilling next year.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
Major shake-up of rules on the table for Australian crypto players
The federal government could take a package of reforms of Australia’s booming cryptocurrency industry to the next election.
Underpayments bill balloons to record $148 million last year
The figure is five times the amount recovered by the federal wages watchdog just three years earlier and points to widespread pay problems.
coronavirus pandemic
Health department ordered to release briefings used to justify Victorian lockdown
The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner said it was in the public interest to release the documents, which were part of discussions held before Victoria was plunged into lockdown in February.
Exclusive
COVID-19 booster shots to be available six months after second dose
Australia’s booster program is expected to start in November with aged care residents and frontline health workers who were first in line earlier this year.
Local
Extremist sought global headlines in jailhouse terror attack, court told
After attacking a fellow inmate with garden shears at a Melbourne prison, Islamic State ‘soldier’ Momena Shoma could have her 42-year jail term extended.
Exclusive
Courts
Ultra Tune boss charged with assault, stalking and threats to kill
Days after his champion sprinter Nature Strip won The Everest in Sydney, the multi-millionaire was arrested on the Gold Coast and charged with 12 offences, including stalking his former partner.
Updated
Police
Michael Slater charged over alleged domestic violence
The former Australian Test cricketer’s arrest comes weeks after he was reportedly sacked by Channel Seven as a member of its cricket commentary team.
Former premier Mike Baird tells ICAC relationship should have been disclosed
Former NSW premier Mike Baird has told a corruption inquiry he was “incredulous” to learn Gladys Berejiklian had a five-year secret relationship with disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire.
‘Over the moon’: World War I medal lost in 1958 returns to family
A good Samaritan has returned a lost World War I medal to the family of its owner 63 years after it was lost, after a sleuthing mission that uncovered a story of courage and resilience from more than 100 years ago.
Politics
Show won’t go on: Insurance hikes threaten show rides and amusement parks
An insurance crisis crippling Australia’s amusement and leisure industry could spell the end for iconic city and country agricultural shows.
Business
Origin Energy faces climate push as investors dial up the heat
More than 40 per cent of Origin’s shareholders backed an activist resolution for the company to align its spending strategy with stronger goals to stop global warming.
World
Pig’s kidney attached to human patient in scientific breakthrough
It is hoped the major advance could eventually help alleviate a dire shortage of human organs for transplant.
Opinion
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property bydomain
Will online workouts continue when gyms reopen?
Online fitness sessions have been a saving grace for many throughout the pandemic, changing the way many studios and gyms do business.
Rents in some mining towns surge more than 45 per cent in a year
The buoyant resources sector has even forced up rents in non-mining towns that are flourishing as a result of surging prices.
Lifestyle
Can my boss force me to work from the office?
When a boss refuses to let their staff work from home during the pandemic, despite being able to do their duties remotely, there are risks, warns Dr Kirstin Ferguson.
Culture
How do you explain creativity? Filmmaker explores an enigma in new doco
Filmmaker Roger Ungers wanted to know where creativity comes from: he asked a glass-working artist, a celebrated chef, a singer songwriter and an entrepreneur.
Sport
Tigers, Blues to open season, Dees want to start with grand final rematch
Melbourne have asked the AFL for their grand final rematch against the Western Bulldogs to be played on the Friday night of round one.
Smith gives Australia something to cheer about
Steve Smith scored a rare half-century but Australia’s batting struggled again as India easily won a practice match ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Retirement shock: Pattinson hangs up baggy green
The speedster has been plagued by stress fractures in his back throughout his career, but a minor knee injury has been the final straw.
‘Messy’: Bogut concerned about Simmons stand-off
Andrew Bogut wants Ben Simmons to shun his minders and take responsibility for his decisions after he was suspended by the Philadelphia 76ers for not joining in a training drill on Wednesday.
Sixers rue dropped catches as Sutherland leads Stars to first win of season
Sixers star Ashleigh Gardner said the side’s inability to hold their chances gave them too much to do with the bat against a resurgent Stars side.
‘It’s taken a toll’: Matildas soldiering on, says FA boss
Ongoing allegations of cultural problems within the Matildas set-up are taking their toll on players ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Brazil, says James Johnson.
Mills equals NBA record in Nets debut as Bucks take win
Patty Mills shot seven three-pointers on debut for the Brooklyn Nets but his side fell to reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA season-opener on Wednesday.
Have Your Say
Heard immunity: No-vax Novak saying nothing
The world’s No.1 tennis player is likely to find that the Australian Open is shut to him.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
