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McGowan won’t hesitate to keep border closed to contain new mutant COVID-19 variant
Premier Mark McGowan said plans to open WA’s borders early next year remain on track but warned there is growing concern in Australia and across the world about the Omicron variant.
UK announces restrictions to combat Omicron as variant shows up in more countries
Boris Johnson said his government was planning new restrictions to combat Omicron, as the COVID-19 variant was found in Germany, Italy, Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong.
Residents warned to stay indoors after fire at linen factory
Belmont Oasis has been closed after authorities detected potentially harmful readings from the fire engulfing Atlas Linen.
New Australian laws to unmask anonymous online trolls and make tech giants pay
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that under the new laws people who believe they have been defamed online will also be able to get court orders forcing social media giants to reveal who is responsible for the posts.
Exclusive
Australia votes
Labor MPs ready farewell speeches amid speculation over Hunt, Porter future
Retiring Labor MPs have been told to write their valedictory speeches for the last week of Parliament, as speculation grows about whether Greg Hunt and Christian Porter will join the ranks of retiring MPs.
Anti-American war epic becomes China’s biggest ever blockbuster
The film has been such a runaway hit that fans have even been inspired to eat frozen potatoes in homage to the Chinese soldiers.
What in the world?: The global moments that defined 2021
From America to Afghanistan, space tourism to streaming, climate change to China, 2021 has been quite the ride for this planet we all call home.
Live
World Boxing
George Kambosos Jnr wins the WBA, IBF and WBO championships against Teofimo Lopez
Australian George Kambosos is the new undisputed lightweight world champion after a split-decision victory over Teofimo Lopez in New York.
Scorchers sink Strikers to claim maiden WBBL title
A flawless bowling power play has guided the Perth Scorchers to their maiden WBBL championship in a 12-run win over the Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium.
10k? 20k? Half a million? When it comes to crowds, size is everything
Organisers of Melbourne’s “freedom protest” on November 20 claim it was Australia’s biggest ever demonstration. Victoria Police don’t think so.
‘Nothing short of extraordinary’: How the pandemic changed our population
We’re getting older and there’s fewer of us than expected. As COVID-19 stopped migration, experts are asking what should the approach to population be now?
CSIRO study proves climate change driving Australia’s 800% boom in bushfires
Global warming is changing Australia’s weather for the worse and a new study shows for the first time this is the key driver of deadly bushfires.
Greg Lynn to remain in custody until May after facing court on murder charges
The family of the man accused of murdering campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay has broken its silence to ask for privacy, saying they are “completely traumatised”.
‘We must learn’: Matildas take valuable lessons from USA loss
The Matildas problematic defending showed no signs of improving in their 3-0 loss but Caitlin Foord believes the harsh lessons will prove valuable.
Western Australia
Tonkin Highway road rage stabbing accused ‘didn’t throw first punch’, Perth court hears
Christopher Atkinson allegedly stabbed another driver after a merging altercation on Tonkin Highway in Wattle Grove on Monday about 4.45pm. He has been charged with reckless driving and grievous bodily harm.
Scarborough gas protests take to Woodside’s Perth headquarters
Activists protested outside the Woodside building in Perth, with a protester locking her arm in a barrel with cement; an imitation of the protest at the Burrup Peninsula on Wednesday.
Ernie Dingo targeted by anti-vaxxers in racist threats to family
The racist message accused him of participating in “the biggest massacre in Australia’s history since 1970” and included a threat to his young twin sons.
WA pledges $117m to stay in the global hydrogen race
The WA government is looking for federal support for two hydrogen hubs near Karratha and Geraldton to help WA grab market share for the future clean fuel, with Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries a likely early tenant.
Soccer star Danny Hodgson leaves Royal Perth Hospital for rehabilitation
“Yesterday was a huge milestone for Danny and our family, but he has a long way to go,” his mother said. “He must learn to swallow, drink, eat and eventually talk again and that is just the beginning.”
Politics
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Why some parents want to vaccinate their kids. Others are prepared to wait
More than two-thirds of Australians believe all children aged five to 11 should be vaccinated against COVID-19, but support dips among parents with children in that age group.
Business
Opinion
Petrol prices
5 ways to save on petrol (and not pay $2 a litre like I just did...)
This week I nearly sold my car and bought a push-bike after being forced to fork out $2.07 a litre at the bowser. Wowsers.
Jessica Irvine
Senior economics writer
World
Variants like Omicron ‘haunt world’ due to vaccine imbalance, says scientist
A top South African scientist warns that until we vaccinate enough people around the globe new variants will develop over and over again.
Opinion
To my fellow survivors, you are more than your worst moment
Saxon Mullins
Sexual assault survivor and reform advocate
The nation is rudderless in the face of growing storm
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Our laws protect every thread of our identity, except one
Bilal Rauf
Barrister and spokesperson for the Australian National Imams Council.
‘Unimaginable things’: Whistleblowers lift lid on cosmetic surgery underbelly
Adele Ferguson
Investigative journalist and columnist
Explore
Property bydomain
The Byron hinterland locality offering the best of the country and coast
Offering the best of the seas and trees, this hidden gem tucked in the Byron shire is gaining the attention of buyers wanting an idyllic regional lifestyle.
Fridges and wardrobes: Megan Morton's organisation havens
For the interior stylist, domestic organisation always has represented our most valuable currency – time. A fridge organisational plan is for those luxuriating in it.
Lifestyle
‘I reunited with my beloved long-lost son ... only to lose him again’
When Lisa gave birth to her son Chris at age 17, she was forced to give him up for adoption. Thirty years later, they were reunited – then tragedy struck.
Culture
Nathalie Morris: ‘I’d never been self-conscious until Bump’
Her breakout role has pushed Nathalie Morris into the limelight, but the actor says she’s still finding her feet with her new-found fame.
Sport
USA beats Matildas 3-0 in front of record Sydney crowd
The Matildas were given a tough reminder that when you’re playing against the best team in the world, even minor errors get punished - but a crowd of 36,000 at Stadium Australia lapped up every moment.
The advice that supercharged Melbourne captain Max Gawn – and the advice he’d give
The ruckman has always done things differently. And in leading the Demons to its first AFL flag in 57 years this September, that way of being has paid off.
Pat Cummins, the pace ace who has always been a leader through his actions
From his Test debut as an 18-year-old tearaway, a Sydney first grade title in 2017, and Ashes and World Cup triumphs, Pat Cummins has hardly ever been captain, but has always been a leader.
Opinion
Women in sport
‘Hot property’: Why investing in elite women’s leagues is a no-brainer
Male-dominated sports who haven’t figured out that women’s leagues are the future are leaving millions of dollars on the table. Here is how to build a successful competition.
Andrew Jones
Contributor
State of play: Dockers go local as Eagles spring AFL draft surprise
Four West Australians were selected in the first round of the 2021 AFL national draft, one of the hardest for clubs in years, after little football was played over the past two years due to the pandemic.
Mary Fowler is a superstar in the making at just 18. Can the Matildas get the best out of her?
After Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler is close to the first name on the Matildas team sheet these days. As for where it appears ... well, that all depends.
Opinion
The Ashes
Why CA missed mark by making Smith vice-captain
By picking the former Test skipper as the side’s new deputy, Cricket Australia has wasted a great chance to develop another viable, long-term leader.
Greg Chappell
Have Your Say
Davidson’s name will be forever etched in cricket history – right next door to the Don
Alan Davidson loved the SCG, so it is fitting the great Australian all-rounder will be celebrated at the iconic ground on Monday.
