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Two more cases in Sydney; PM vows to act
Another two cases of the Omicron variant have been confirmed in Sydney, bringing the national total to five. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told Parliament he’ll convene national cabinet tomorrow to discuss the latest outbreak.
Omicron threatens travel recovery as holidaymakers hit pause
The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has rattled the travel industry and threatens to set back its pandemic recovery just as airlines, agents and tourism operators were preparing for a summer without border restrictions or quarantine.
Three more COVID-positive African arrivals in Sydney urgently tested for Omicron
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet warned that Australia should not have a “knee-jerk” reaction to the Omicron variant after two cases were confirmed on Sunday.
Track to oblivion: the final movements of Theo Hayez
An inquest into the disappearance of Belgian backpacker in Byron Bay attended by his family has honed in on one crucial question: why did he decide to take the dark and dangerous path down to Tallow Beach late at night.
Furious Storm consider cutting Roosters-bound Smith immediately
Melbourne Storm officials are incensed with the conduct of Brandon Smith, after the hooker said he wanted to win a premiership in a Roosters jersey.
Breaking
Federal budget
Government names budget day in hint at May election
Australians could go to a federal election in early May under a plan revealed on Monday to bring forward next year’s federal budget.
Updated
Crime
Man charged after DNA match leads to ‘inner west rapist’ breakthrough
Between August 2003 and November 2004, there were separate assaults on women across the Sydney metropolitan area, many of which occurred in their homes.
‘I don’t care about being popular with politicians’: Patricia Karvelas prepares to go off-script
Currently the host of RN Drive, the broadcaster will step into her new role as host of the breakfast show early next year, replacing the very big boots of the much-admired Fran Kelly.
Injury scare for Stokes but England upbeat about star’s fitness for Ashes opener
The all-rounder suffered a blow to an arm at training - and was pictured doubled up in pain - but he continued practising after being looked over by the team physio and doctor.
‘Extraordinary oversight’: IAG faces class action over COVID-19 bungle
An error in a crucial policy exclusion has put the country’s largest general insurer on the hook for more than $1 billion. Now, a specialist law firm is about to launch a shareholder class action.
Opinion
Home tech
I’ve already visited Mark Zuckerberg’s metaverse and I don’t want to do it again
Lockdown 2021 offered a tasting plate version of the metaverse - give me reality any day.
Penny Flanagan
Writer and musician
Son took mum on boat trip to rid her of ‘bad magic’, court told
A man who took his elderly mother on a boat trip on Port Phillip Bay to free her from the influence of a Buddhist mystic contributed to her probable death, a coroner has found.
‘Grounds for a retrial’: Directions to Jarryd Hayne jury were flawed, court told
Hayne was jailed this year after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in her Newcastle home in September 2018.
Exclusive
Cosmetic Cowboys
TikTok celebrity cosmetic surgeon reprimanded by regulator
Dr Daniel Aronov has been banned by the national health regulator from performing all types of cosmetic surgery and ordered to remove his social media posts.
Updated
Crime
Family of five shot at in car after social media argument escalates: police
Police were told the Toyota Yaris - with five occupants including a 12-year-old - had been shot at in Condell Park by a man who was driving in the area.
Warne ‘battered and bruised’ after motorbike accident
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne reportedly injured himself in a motorbike accident on Sunday.
Sydney
Exclusive
Sydney councils
Sydney councillor’s Chinese consultancy links prompted ICAC interest
A Liberal Sydney councillor contesting the upcoming elections was referred to the corruption watchdog for allegedly failing to disclose her involvement with an overseas consultancy promising to connect Chinese and Australian officials.
The ‘easiest way’ to revive Sydney’s cherished high streets
With council elections throwing the spotlight on local neighbourhoods, a report has identified the easiest way to restore the city’s high streets.
Exclusive
Public transport
‘The holy grail’: Rob Stokes’ vision for transport and planning
The two giant NSW ministerial portfolios briefly rest in the hands of a minister moving quickly to implement change.
Hotel quarantine back on the cards as Omicron arrives
Just weeks after opening borders, health authorities were scrambling to track down hundreds of overseas passengers who have arrived in NSW over the past fortnight.
Campuses are reopening, but will students want to return?
Departing UNSW vice-chancellor Ian Jacobs says the demise of the lecture will allow universities to use old spaces in different ways to reignite campus life.
Politics
Telcos given more power to target SMS scams
Telstra and Optus say regulation changes, announced by the federal government on Monday, will help them block text message scams at the source.
Business
‘A lot of uncertainty’ in China sending companies to the exits
The untapped business potential of 1.4 billion consumers was once an irresistible draw for foreign companies, but times are changing.
World
‘Snowasis’: Storm strands music lovers in remote English pub for days
The pubgoers knew the weather forecast was dire, but not so much that piles of snow nearly a metre high would block the pub’s exits.
Opinion
What happened to Archer was not OK - and I know that because it also happened to me
Julia Banks
Businesswoman, lawyer and former MP
Religious Discrimination Bill will let us all ‘live and let live’
Jacinta Collins
Executive director of the National Catholic Education Commission
Confused by conservatives and their take on ‘cancel culture’? I am too
Jioji Ravulo
Head of social work and policy studies, University of Sydney
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Property bydomain
Buyers spoiled for choice push auction clearance rates downwards
Clearance rates softened in Sydney over the weekend, as buyers regained a little power in a market now offering more stock for sale than it has in months.
Units you can buy for less than $500,000 in Sydney
With house prices having risen by up to 30 per cent, units are back in favour with buyers on a budget. Here's what you get under $500,000 in Sydney.
Lifestyle
Louis Vuitton menswear designer Virgil Abloh dies, aged 41
The groundbreaking designer who successfully brought streetwear to luxury fashion died after a private battle with cancer.
Culture
Cute Japanese fiction and a history of the Gothic: What to read next
Cameron Woodhead and Fiona Capp have cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction offerings.
Sport
Furious Storm consider cutting Roosters-bound Smith immediately
Melbourne Storm officials are incensed with the conduct of Brandon Smith, after the hooker said he wanted to win a premiership in a Roosters jersey.
‘The perfect sportsperson’: Tributes flow for Davidson at SCG farewell
Alan Jones, John Howard and Mark Taylor spent Monday morning at a public memorial service recalling the wonderful feats – on and off the field – of Australian cricket icon Alan Davidson.
Kambosos jnr vows to hold first title defence in Australia
After travelling all over the globe to get his title shot, George Kambosos jnr wants to defend it in Australia. And he already has an opponent in mind.
Gustavsson takes responsibility for Matildas’ poor defence as selection decisions bite
Alanna Kennedy and Clare Polkinghorne are still under injury clouds, while experienced defenders Emma Checker and Jenna McCormick were not included in the squad.
Djokovic’s father lashes Australian Open ‘blackmail’, says son probably won’t play
Novak Djokovic’s father Srdjan says the world No.1 will probably not compete in next year’s Australian Open and has described the restrictions in place due to COVID-19 as “blackmail”.
Exclusive
NRL 2021
NRL referee felt victimised over accent and Cody Ramsey ‘try’ blunder
A workplace relations tribunal has heard claims former referees boss Bernard Sutton wanted one of his match officials to be so embarrassed after a running test he would retire.
‘He’ll still be a powerful beast’: How the Tigers rebuilt slim Dusty
Rebuilding Dustin Martin from serious injury involved a plan to cleanse and rejuvenate his body inside and out to add games at the end of the star’s career.
Have Your Say
Rennie’s ref run-in apology leaves questions unanswered
They’re a scary bunch, the folks at World Rugby. With the power to wipe out a coach or player from the game for weeks, months or even years, it is a brave figure who holds the line in opposition to rugby’s global governing body.
