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Coronavirus pandemic
Pandemic or endemic? Should we stop worrying about Omicron?
If COVID has become endemic, that doesn’t mean it is “less bad”, just that it’s here for good. But what does that mean for us?
Australians may be locked out of Europe as nation labelled a ‘COVID danger zone’
Travellers here hoping to book a holiday in Europe may face being locked out, after the European Council advised member states to block visitors from Australia.
More turbulence ahead for airline, travel stocks after new WA, EU rules
The sectors, weary from nearly two years of the pandemic, had hopes of a strong reopening but are being hamstrung yet again.
HSC 2021: The schools that punch above their weight
Not long ago, Bonnyrigg High School was one ambitious parents avoided. In a little more than a decade, enrolments have more than doubled.
Alameddine family member stabbed in supermax prison
Talal Alameddine, 29, was treated for minor stab wounds and cuts after a brawl between two inmates.
Analysis
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin fall after dramatic sell-off kills profit dreams
The sell-off accelerated a two-month slide in the global crypto market that has vaporised $US1.4 trillion in value.
Tory Newmyer and Rachel Siegel
Updated
Australian Open
Barty too clever for young challenger, marches into quarter-finals
The world No. 1 worked over rising US star Amanda Anisimova in an intelligent display to advance to the quarter-finals.
‘Enjoy your flight home’: Kyrgios and Kokkinakis shed light on locker room spat
The entertaining pair are through to the quarter-finals, and have a message for the No.1 seeds they knocked off on Friday.
Alcott survives tough challenge to progress
The glorious career of the tennis legend will last at least another day after the veteran fought his way to victory against one of the emerging stars of the craft.
Back to school: Music bands, choir and overnight camps allowed again
Students will be allowed to take part in choirs, music ensembles and overnight camps again when they return to school under a relaxation of COVID-19 rules.
Pharmacists struggle to meet demand for free COVID test kits amid stock shortage
Many chemists do not have enough rapid antigen tests to start handing out free kits to pensioners when the federal scheme begins on Monday.
English island seeks a landlord-king who likes solitude, seals and beer
After the retirement of the previous landlord, the remote island is seeking someone comfortable with a lot of time on their own.
Opinion
Winter Olympics
Burner phones and free-speech threats: Olympians brace for ‘joyless’ Beijing Games
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are perhaps the surest example yet that the IOC is an athletes-last organisation.
Barry Svrluga
Divorce is hard. Here’s how to help those going through one
When Mette’s husband of 30 years asked for a divorce, she also lost half of her friends. But when those who stuck by her offered help, she was also flummoxed.
Snooty shop staff and luxury goods prove the perfect fit
Psychologists have discovered that when it comes to selling luxury goods, a neutral or even contemptuous expression helps.
Is a fling with Kendall, Roman or Shiv on the cards for Succession’s Karolina?
Actor Dagmara Dominczyk has asked producers if her character could act out in ways that the Roy siblings do, but they have so far declined. “I want to play,” Dominczyk said.
Australian Open
Alcott survives tough challenge
The glorious career of wheelchair tennis legend Dylan Alcott will last at least another day after the veteran fought his way to victory against one of the emerging stars of the craft.
‘It’s great news’: Nadal’s body passes the test, Shapovalov eliminates Zverev
Rafael Nadal has expressed strong confidence that his body, battle-tested after four Australian Open matches, will have no problem holding up and going the two-week distance of a major.
Sydney
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Sydney suburbs bearing the brunt of the Omicron wave
Two local health districts account for about a third of the state’s 650,000 cases since the beginning of December.
‘Closing schools is the last resort’: NSW unveils COVID classroom plan
The state recorded 34 deaths and 20,423 new cases and children prepare to return to school.
NSW transport networks not prepared for driverless cars
A report has suggested dedicated autonomous vehicle lanes could improve the overall safety and traffic flow of roads.
Renovators turn exclusive Whale Beach Road into a ‘battleground’
Trucks, vehicles and building materials have been scattered across one of Sydney’s most exclusive enclaves.
Exclusive
Marine life
Students find tropical starfish 600km from home in climate change warning
Warming oceans are thought to be responsible for the starfish’s expansion to the coastal town.
Weekend reads
Shannon beat her deadly condition – and she says other people can too
Shannon spent decades struggling with life-threatening anorexia and bulimia before finding the right help, something that will be more available after a funding injection.
Fit for purpose: Anthony Albanese says it’s his time
The leaner Labor leader has hit the ground running visiting 20 towns in 10 days with a message that he is serious about winning the top job.
Politics
Analysis
Australia votes
The issues hurting the Coalition’s vote in horror polling week
Politics can change quickly in the heat of a campaign and horror polls, like the Coalition has seen this week, need to be handled with care.
Opinion
Political leadership
Leadership is a sober business, it takes more than a bloke with a beer
Malcolm Knox
Journalist, author and columnist
Business
Aristocrat faces uphill battle for Playtech as investors stay silent
Despite expected rival bidder JKO Play pulling out of the race for Aristocrat’s takeover target, there are now fears that not enough shareholders will support the deal at a vote in early February.
World
The coal man with the fate of the world in his hands
A single senator from the coal-rich, dirt poor American state of West Virginia is potentially derailing global climate efforts.
Opinion
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Property
‘Liveable’ timber beach house listed for $30 million
This charming cottage’s most luxurious feature is hydronic heating, and it’s already had an offer from buyers keen on the location, location, location.
‘Missed the boat’: Is the dream of a holiday home over?
The idea of a humble summer house in sleepy coastal retreats has all but sailed into distance for many average families. So, who is buying them now?
Lifestyle
Matt Moran: Australian Bake Off celebrates the joy of licking the bowl
Baking delights all generations and all walks of life, says the chef and co-judge of Bake Off, about to start its fifth season in Australia.
Culture
★★★★
Review
Belle: visual feast shows a teen girl’s sadness is a powerful thing
Former Studio Ghibli animator Mamoru Hosoda brings a fundamental seriousness and a spectacular visual sensibility to this tale of loneliness and fame
Sport
Updated
Australian Open
Barty outsmarts young American challenger to march into quarter-finals
Ash Barty, the world No. 1 at the peak of her career, worked over rising star Amanda Anisimova in an intelligent display to advance to the quarter-finals.
Australian Open 2022 LIVE as it happened: Matteo Berrettini, Ash Barty, Dylan Alcott, Gael Monfils all winners
The Australian Open has hit the middle Sunday with the fourth round beginning headlined by Ash Barty and Rafael Nadal.
Thunder out of BBL finals after controversial Khawaja catch
The Sydney Thunder lost by six runs to be knocked out of the BBL finals after captain Usman Khawaja fell to a disputed catch.
‘Enjoy your flight home’: Kyrgios, Kokkinakis shed light on locker room spat
The entertaining pair are through to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and have a message for the No.1 seeds they knocked off on Friday.
Updated
Australian Open
‘No player bigger than the event’: Andrews, Tiley grapple over a potential Djokovic return in 2023
Craig Tiley and Daniel Andrews have expressed very different views on whether Novak Djokovic could, or will, return to Melbourne Park in 2023.
‘She is a warrior’: Mooney in line for Ashes Test 10 days after breaking jaw
The world’s best T20 batter had surgery last week, but is still being considered for selection for Thursday’s Test start in Canberra.
‘It’s great news’: Nadal’s body passes the test, Shapovalov eliminates Zverev
Rafael Nadal has expressed strong confidence that his body, battle-tested after four Australian Open matches, will have no problem holding up and going the two-week distance of a major.
Have Your Say
Quarter-final-bound Barty has Australia eating out of her backhand slice
The Australian favourite should be feeling the weight of a nation’s expectations, but you wouldn’t know it from another straight-sets win.
