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COVID-19 swabs rechecked for Omicron as sixth case in NSW confirmed
About 2000 COVID-positive swabs are being reviewed for signs of the new variant as authorities race to determine how long the strain has been circulating in the state.
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
Former SA premier Jay Weatherill tests positive for COVID
Mr Weatherill met with the Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas during his time in South Australia.
Updated
Australia votes
‘No regrets’: Christian Porter to quit federal politics
Once considered a potential PM, the former attorney-general will quit politics at the next election. Greg Hunt is tipped to join him.
Councils in turf war over natural or plastic fields
Sydney communities are in a pitched battle over synthetic sporting fields in the lead-up to Saturday’s local government elections.
Tom Trbojevic caps stunning season with Brad Fittler Medal
Tom Trbojevic added the State of Origin award to his burgeoning trophy case on Wednesday night.
Sydney University pursues hybrid model of classes
The institution will try to reinvigorate campus life while still catering to students who are stuck overseas.
Record number of apprentices begin training – but fewer are completing it
Amid skills shortages, training organisations have urged governments to improve low apprenticeship completion rates.
‘I’ll throw you overboard’: Navy officer threatened recruit
Teri Bailey enlisted aged 18 and killed herself on her 25th birthday after relentless bullying.
Ex-staffers: drinking not cause of bad behaviour in Parliament
Some former parliamentary staffers say issues with alcohol in Parliament House aren’t much different to the corporate world.
Dymocks Melbourne sees jump in assaults on staff over COVID rules
Confronting footage shows a customer pushing an employee down an escalator, causing him to hit his head and lose consciousness.
Once home to thousands of prisoners, it’s now set to be Sydney’s next museum
Millions in funding has been granted to “secure, restore and preserve the culture, heritage and future use” of a three-hectare heritage precinct.
NRL on collision course with players over transfer system
The league has flagged its intent to overhaul its controversial transfer system, but the players have no appetite for change.
★★★★
Performing arts
Australian Ballet’s return to the stage: the highs and lows
It was a celebration to see the dancers back on stage and stepping out boldly, if at times a little nervously it seems.
‘France is Josephine’: Artist honoured at tomb of heroes
American-born Josephine Baker was not only praised for her career, but also for her spy role in the French Resistance and her activism.
Good Food Guide 2022
Comfort eating takes on new flavour as Sydney embraces dining out once more
Vol-au-vents, Marie Rose sauce and prawn cocktails, oh my. As Sydney embraces dining out once more, there is also a sense of clinging to familiarity.
‘A restaurant explosion’: Sydney dining bursts with 2000 Olympics-style energy
Sydney is in the midst of a restaurant explosion. Here are the six trends to look out for.
Sydney
Man dies after being hit by truck on the north shore
Emergency services were called to Fullers Road in Chatswood on Wednesday afternoon.
Rapper arrested at shopping centre for not wearing mask
The popular artist - Blake Turnell, known as ChillinIT - shared footage online of the arrest, which he said occurred when he and his mother were Christmas shopping.
Truck driver jailed for at least four years over fatal M5 crash
Pushminder Singh Grewal had been up all night and fell asleep at the wheel during peak hour, killing a 10-year-old boy and seriously injuring several others.
Updated
Australian Grand Prix
NSW Premier backs push to take away F1 grand prix from Melbourne
Dominic Perrottet has endorsed a Venues NSW proposal to take Australia’s Formula One event from Victoria.
Exclusive
Islamic State
Islamic State flag flown in NSW 300 times in six years
The number of jihadist flag displays peaked at 142 in 2015 and dropped to 22 by 2019, persisting in smaller numbers this year.
Politics
Updated
Religious freedom
Deal to protect LGBTQI students sets up vote on religious freedom
The PM may remove the authority for religious schools to expel students because of their sexuality in return for support from some Liberal MPs for his religious discrimination bill.
Business
Opinion
Aviation
COVID waves take the shine off Virgin’s revival plans
The course of the pandemic, and with it the timing of Virgin’s financial rebirth, has not gone to script.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
World
WHO member nations agree to negotiate pandemic convention
Decision means a response convention that would determine a fairer distribution of vaccines in the future could be implemented in early 2024.
Opinion
When prices soar, everyone forgets who suffers most
Ross Gittins
Economics Editor
Fed chief’s abrupt change of heart shakes markets
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Defamation isn’t the biggest worry about social media
Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Social affairs reporter
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Property bydomain
'The boom isn't over': Housing market still growing, just not by as much
The latest figures reveal Australian housing values edged upwards in November, but at their slowest rate since January.
The properties that used to be beach bargains: What they're worth today
The pandemic has put what once were secret beach locations on the map, drawing out buyers and pushing up house prices.
Lifestyle
Meet Marta Ortega Pérez, the most powerful woman in fashion you’ve never heard of
Three months ago, Marta Ortega, the youngest Zara heiress, said she had no plans to take a formal leadership role in her father’s fashion empire. Now she’s taken over.
Culture
Pandemic breakups set the tone for a luxurious album about being sad
Banoffee’s ex had barely closed the door when she picked up a pen and paper and began trying to make sense of her emotions.
Sport
Exclusive
Australian soccer
‘Arnie, I can’t breathe’: How COVID made Graham Arnold a better coach
The Socceroos mentor has come in for heavy criticism lately, mostly from former teammate Mark Bosnich. In this exclusive interview, he opens up like never before.
Wing healed, Richardson ready to take off for Ashes
After a string of performances that showed he was a cut above his state peers, the West Australian speedster is ready to pounce on England should selectors pull the horses-for-courses rein for the first Test.
Tom Trbojevic caps stunning season with Brad Fittler Medal
Tom Trbojevic added the State of Origin award to his burgeoning trophy case on Wednesday night.
NRL on collision course with players over contracting system changes
The NRL has flagged its intention to overhaul its controversial transfer system, but the players have no appetite for change.
Carey set for baggy green at the Gabba
The South Australian wicketkeeper has performed strongly in a World Cup, held an official leadership position and is battle-hardened by recent match practice.
GWS Giants to play games at iconic Henson Park
The home of the Newtown Jets will host AFLW matches for the first time next year.
Humble Green ready to test himself against best all-rounder in the world
Cameron Green knows a certain English all-rounder will be in sharp focus, but he believes he can be a renewed factor with the ball as well as his bat in the Ashes.
Have Your Say
IPL franchise sales a warning for Australian cricket, not an invitation
Australia has consistently produced world-beating cricket teams, and there is little reason to fear it is not sustainable. So, why should Australian cricket chase more money?
