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NSW pushes boosters amid Omicron threat and rising cases
People should be “beating down the doors” to get their booster jab, the NSW Health Minister says, as Sydney is hit by another cluster.
COVID to have ‘life-long impact on population’ as fertility rate crashes
Financial insecurity caused by the pandemic has overlaid ongoing issues already contributing to Australia’s falling fertility rate, one demographer says.
Moderna COVID-19 vaccine approved for use as a booster
The vaccine needs to now pass the expert group’s approval process before it can be rolled out as a third dose.
Exclusive
Skills
Microsoft partners with TAFE, universities on high-tech education institute
Students will combine university study with vocational training through a digital education model being piloted by Microsoft, major universities and TAFE NSW.
Analysis
Australia votes
Canberra wants Gladys, but why would Gladys want Canberra?
For weeks the drums have been beating for her, on radio, in the papers, social media and on TV. What is less clear, is what is in it for Berejiklian.
‘Always going to be problems’: NSW Premier defends flaws in trams, ferries
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says cracking trams and the troubled ferry system are a reality of running a massive public transport system.
Nitram and The Newsreader win big at 2021 AACTA Awards
The year’s most controversial Australian film has swept the country’s top screen awards.
Madeline Groves makes sexual abuse, misconduct allegations
The Australian Olympian says she was sexually abused from the age of 13 by a person who is still working in the sport.
Men seek $64,000 in legal fees after violent arrest over face masks
The men were charged with assaulting and resisting police. However, the charges were dropped when CCTV emerged of the incident.
Suitcases of cash, diamond tiaras and Hollywood: What is the 1MDB scandal?
A former Malaysian PM remains the only person sentenced to jail in what has been called one of the world’s most lurid corruption cases.
‘You’ve been a bit harsh’: Warne says Smith spoke to him about leadership comments
Newly appointed vice-captain Steve Smith confronted Shane Warne over the Test great’s refusal to endorse the batting ace’s return to an official leadership position.
Analysis
Analysis
That time Starc knocked the England bloke over first ball
Nothing is quite like the first ball of a Test. Sorry Rory, but we’ll be talking about the first delivery of this Ashes series for years.
Tails fails: Nightmare start for Root after decision to bat comes back to bite
Joe Root is under fire after a horror first day in which the England captain was accused of being haunted by the ghosts of the past.
Woman faces court over alleged forced marriage of slain daughter
The hearing was dominated by the testimony of a family friend responsible for the pair’s matchmaking.
Consumer groups, banks welcome regulation of new payment systems
Buy now, pay later users in financial distress could gain protections under changes planned for the nation’s payments network, but the reforms will have to wait.
PM’s office flags ‘options’ with Laming after staffer’s teen shooter pic
Scott Morrison’s office raised “serious concerns” with Bowman MP Andrew Laming after a staffer posted a photo dressed as US teen Kyle Rittenhouse to social media.
THE ASHES
Analysis
Ashes opening one of perfection; after lead-up that was anything but
After the serious issues that have dogged both nations, there was something pantomime-like about the action on the opening day of the series.
Opinion
The perfect 10: Captain Pat makes dream start
On his Test debut in 2011, Pat Cummins was man-of-the-match. On his debut as captain on Wednesday, he was bowler of the day as Australia seized the Ashes lead.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
Sydney
Man allegedly linked to Stuart Macgill kidnapping arrested
The man, wanted by police for months, is alleged to be the linked to the drug deal gone wrong that led to Mr MacGill’s kidnapping.
Perrottet wants more women in cabinet but will not commit to quota
The NSW Premier has refused to commit to a specific quota, saying Gladys Berejiklian’s tenure shows “it’s not all bad.”
‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’: Sydney to be hit with more severe storms
Parts of western Sydney could be hit by heavy rain and large hail on Wednesday afternoon.
Liberal elder Baird encourages Berejiklian to run but admits ICAC risk
“The concern is if the report that comes down is more adverse than people are expecting,” he said.
Exclusive
Public transport
Cracked Sydney trams ran for weeks before service suspension
The government knew cracks had been discovered almost a month before the trams were pulled from service, according to documents.
Politics
Exclusive
Winter Olympics
‘The issue is not China’s rise, but rather China’s behaviour’
Australia’s envoy to the Brisbane Olympics says the nation had no other choice but to launch a diplomatic boycott against China.
Business
Virgin Australia lays down the gauntlet on cheap airfares
CEO Jayne Hrdlicka says the airline will offer fares low enough to win customers from Jetstar, not just its full-service owner Qantas.
World
Changing of the guard: Scholz takes oath of office, ending Merkel’s reign
With his down-to-earth and no-nonsense manner, Scholz has positioned himself as Merkel’s natural successor and a safe pair of hands to steer Europe’s largest economy.
Opinion
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Property
Exclusive
Title Deeds
Bronte home of late TV boss Maureen Kerridge sets new $25m high
Bronte is fast establishing itself as one of Sydney’s most expensive locales after a parkside house long owned by the late Seven chief executive Maureen Kerridge sold for about $25 million.
Sydney, Melbourne house prices in surprise fall at auction
The median auction house price fell in Sydney and Melbourne last month, as a huge volume of listings offered buyers more choice. Is it a blip, or could booming house price growth be coming to an end?
Lifestyle
Chanel, TikTok and the beauty advent calendar controversy
How a dustbag with “Chanel” on it and an unknown TikToker prompted a multitude of users to call foul on the brand. Or rather, all over its Instagram page.
Culture
Inspired by an album recorded in a chicken shed, Perkins went bush
When his partner unearthed a great piece of rare vinyl, inspiration hit Tex Perkins: he wanted to make a record where you could hear the wildlife.
Sport
Analysis
The Ashes
That time Starc knocked the England bloke over first ball
Nothing is quite like the first ball of a Test. Sorry Rory, but we’ll be talking about the first delivery of this Ashes series for years.
Captain Cummins leads the way as feeble England crumble at Gabba
Pat Cummins took five wickets on the first day of his captaincy as England collapsed for 147, with none of their stars able to stand in the face of a fast bowling clinic.
Swimmer Madeline Groves makes sexual abuse, misconduct allegations
The Australian Olympian says she was sexually abused from the age of 13 by a person who is still working in the sport.
Tails fails: Nightmare start for Root after decision to bat comes back to bite
Nineteen years after Nasser Hussain’s infamously sent in Steve Waugh’s Australians, Joe Root made a decision that will continue to be dissected in the days, weeks and perhaps years to come.
‘Pretty interested in another position’: Mitchell drops hint of fullback switch
South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is planning for life after footy - and a potential positional change.
Updated
Australian Open
TA denies seeking vax loopholes; Serena Williams an Australian Open no-show
Tennis Australia has strongly denied it is seeking “loopholes” for unvaccinated players as Novak Djokovic’s name is among the list of Australian Open entrants.
Analysis
The Ashes
Australia’s Ashes opening one of perfection after lead-up that was anything but
After the serious issues that have dogged both nations, there was something pantomime-like about the action on the opening day of the series.
Have Your Say
The perfect 10: Captain Pat makes dream start
On his Test debut in 2011, Pat Cummins was man-of-the-match. On his debut as captain on Wednesday, he was bowler of the day as Australia seized the Ashes lead.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
