Morning Edition newsletter
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Traveller newsletter
Travel news, inspiration and expert tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Border opening paused over Omicron variant concerns hours before flights land
The plan to bring international students and skilled migrants flying into Australia on Wednesday has been deferred over concerns about the Omicron strain.
Updated
Queensland Health
‘Bit worried’: Palaszczuk seeking answers on recent overseas arrivals
Queensland so far remains committed to existing border reopening plans amid the COVID variant concerns, as the state reported five new cases in hotel quarantine.
Police employ new tech to stop DV offenders evading interstate orders
Queensland police can now access critical information for domestic violence jobs, including interstate protection orders, as part of Australian-first technology rolled out to officers, but there are warnings it may not be enough to help victims.
Delta-driven economic hit could be worse than expected, fuelling Omicron fears
Strict lockdowns to stop the spread of Delta may have hit the economy harder than expected, fuelling fears the recovery from the pandemic could be derailed by the new Omicron variant.
‘This job pushed me over the edge’: Soldier’s mum quotes suicide note to commission
Private Daniel Garforth hanged himself at a base in 2014. His mother has told his story to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Government considering publicly funded legal services to enforce proposed anti-trolling laws
Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General Amanda Stoker says the government could use a community legal service model to enforce proposed laws designed to unmask trolls.
Updated
Australia votes
Government hints at May election with timetable that leaves little room to pass key laws
Australians could go to a federal election in early May under a plan revealed on Monday to bring forward next year’s federal budget.
Julie Bishop says Australian diplomacy has been ‘missing in action’ in fallout with France
Ms Bishop said Australia had “really alienated a very strong partner and friend in France” and it needed to be doing everything in its power to repair the relationship.
COVID chaos as Wallabies test positive and Super Rugby under a cloud
The drama unfolded as officials back home grappled with contingencies for Super Rugby Pacific, the trans-Tasman and Pacific competition slated to kick off in February.
Updated
Australian cricket
Warne bemused by Warner leadership snub
Shane Warne believes David Warner should have also been in the running for a leadership position in the national team given Steve Smith was instated as vice-captain.
MCG in the market for day-night Ashes Test if Perth falls over
Should Perth lose its Ashes Test nothing is stopping Cricket Australia from scheduling a second day-night match of the series, in a slot that has delivered huge crowds to the MCG.
Everything you need to know to pretend you know everything about MrBeast
A popular YouTuber has broken, or at least bruised, the internet by hosting a real-life Squid Game.
Analysis
TV ratings
In the TV ratings battle, Nine and Seven both claim to be No. 1
In a tight year, victory came down to not just who got the numbers, but how they spun them.
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.
Queensland
Bridge over Brisbane River takes shape even as casino owner may be in troubled water
A milestone for the bridge at Queen’s Wharf has been reached, as Deputy Premier is confident investigations into casino owner Star will not jeopardise the project.
11-month-old baby allegedly attacked in violent assault of 8 people on Brisbane train
Two police officers were also allegedly assaulted after the incident in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
LNP pulls Palaszczuk mash-up video from Facebook after Labor complaint
The mash-up of the Premier’s comments over $150 test fears was deleted.
Woman accused of starting blaze in hotel quarantine
The 31-year-old, who was staying in Cairns’ Pacific Hotel with her two children and has since been charged, had arrived from interstate.
Excavator called in to help stranded campers amid SEQ flood warnings
Several people have been rescued from floodwaters after a week of rain saturated most of the region with more than 200 millimetres.
Politics
Julie Bishop says Australian diplomacy has been ‘missing in action’ in fallout with France
Ms Bishop said Australia had “really alienated a very strong partner and friend in France” and it needed to be doing everything in its power to repair the relationship.
Business
‘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.
World
Prince Harry forces BBC to ditch ‘sexist’ Megxit title
It’s a small triumph for the Duke of Sussex as a new documentary prepares to air claims a palace source helped newspaper in court.
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
Confused by conservatives and their take on ‘cancel culture’? I am too
Jioji Ravulo
Head of social work and policy studies, University of Sydney
Explore
Property bydomain
Buyers spoiled for choice send auction clearance rates downwards
Clearance rates softened in Brisbane over the weekend but there were still massive sales in what is fast becoming one of the nation’s hottest real estate markets.
The $20 billion plan to fix Australia's housing affordability crisis
Housing was tipped to get more affordable last year and instead it's more expensive than ever – but a new proposal could create more places to live.
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
Everything you need to know to pretend you know everything about MrBeast
A popular YouTuber has broken, or at least bruised, the internet by hosting a real-life Squid Game.
Sport
Cummins encouraged to let Smith make bowling changes and field at fine leg
Two of Pat Cummins’ closest confidants say the new Australian captain needs to accept feedback while in the field.
‘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.
‘We’re not going to qualify’: Bosnich tips Socceroos failure unless Arnold tweaks tactics
Mark Bosnich has predicted Australia will miss qualification for next year’s World Cup if they are forced into the intercontinental play-offs.
Opinion
Australian cricket
In the Paine saga, the buck stops where no one cares to look
Fingers pointed in every direction at the downfall of Tim Paine as Test captain, but it was first of all a matter of personal responsibility.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
A burger and a hospital stint: How George Kambosos jnr celebrated win
There was no popping of champagne corks after George Kambosos jnr’s heroics in New York. His team even had to close the hotel gym.
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.
Kambosos jnr vows to hold first title defence in Aust
George Kambosos jnr wants to defend his title in Australia. And he already has an opponent in mind.
Have Your Say
How George Kambosos jnr took down ‘The Takeover’
Many in the fight game thought Teofimo Lopez would be far too strong for George Kambosos.
