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Australians warned to get out of Ukraine
Australia’s critical technology ambassador is leading talks with Ukraine officials on ways to defend against cyber attacks while Russia assembles troops on the country’s border.
Opinion
Putin's Russia
How Putin and Xi are putting Western might to the test
America and its allies have no appetite for a war with Russia, yet that is also a message to China: that US hegemony is finished.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Number of patients waiting over a year for surgery has almost tripled
Thousands of Australians are suffering pain and discomfort as they wait for elective surgery delayed by the pandemic as new data shows the number of patients waiting more than a year has almost tripled.
‘Britain is open for business’: All COVID travel tests scrapped for UK entry
Britain’s Transport Secretary said the country would have the most open travel sector in the world, two years after many governments shut their borders to halt the spread of COVID.
Opinion
Indigenous culture
I created the Aboriginal flag to unite us. Now it will
Copyright for the Aboriginal flag now belongs to the Commonwealth, as custodian for the people of Australia.
Harold Thomas
Flag in public hands after $20m deal
The flag had been entangled in a legal stoush between its designer and copyright holder, its licensees and dozens of community and sporting organisations.
Cleaner lost $430 on pokies before fatal assault, court told
Hanny Papanicolaou had just $11 left in her bank account when she turned up at the home of Marjorie Welsh and launched an attack, a court has heard.
Updated
Assange saga
Julian Assange opens door to appeal in small but key win in High Court
Julian Assange asked a British court for an appeal after the High Court ruled his extradition to the US to face spying charges could go ahead.
Rabbit holes and teacher debates: How Kambala blitzes HSC English
The head of English at the girls’ school in Rose Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, says “there’s a special magic” to how her subject is embraced.
Auction market off to early start as listings spike
Australia’s auction market got off to an early start in 2022, with hundreds of homes already going under the hammer this year.
Westpac warns Omicron outbreak reveals ‘multi-speed’ economy
As many consumers avoid physical stores, the bank said industries struggling the most included hospitality, entertainment and gyms.
ASX set to sink as Wall Street tumbles
The local sharemarket is set to dive more than 3 per cent at the open as Wall Street buckled.
Opinion
Style
Double denim is Kanye West’s revenge dress
With new girlfriend Julia Fox, the rapper signals Kim Kardashian as he refuses to go solo with style.
Damien Woolnough
Acting National Fashion Editor
Matildas 4 The Philippines 0
Matildas
Philippines put up brave fight but Matildas’ class prevails
The Matildas are on the cusp of the second round of the Asian Cup after beating the Philippines 4-0.
Why the ‘good vibes only’ culture is making you miserable
The positive thinking movement has made a resurgence during the pandemic, but there is a dark side to it too.
Australian Open
Updated
Tsitsipas grinds his way to five-set win over Fritz
Two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is just one win away from the final four after prevailing in a tough five-setter against Taylor Fritz.
Peng Shuai supporters to hand out shirts at Open final
Tennis Australia will not back down on their policy which bars supporters of the “Where is Peng Shuai?” movement wearing t-shirts or displaying banners.
Sydney
Exclusive
Back to school
Inside Sydney’s secret warehouse to prepare for term one
Teachers and office workers are packing boxes, school maintenance staff are driving trucks and forklift drivers are on site until late at night in a mammoth effort at a western Sydney warehouse.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Divided Sydney revealed in reporting of RAT results
Despite more cases being reported in the city’s west, a smaller proportion of these were from rapid tests, amid concern about access to the at-home kits.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Minister orders review of Medicare payments for PCR testing
The review could spark a new COVID funding stoush between the federal government and Victoria over the cost-sharing arrangements for PCR tests.
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
Spread of COVID ‘slowing’ as NSW records 24 deaths and 15,091 cases
But Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned a drop in infections, down from 20,324 yesterday, should be viewed with caution due to lower weekend testing rate.
Exclusive
Pollution
Fears ferry project could unearth contamination near popular beach
NSW’s environmental watchdog has criticised the plans, warning the “nature and extent” of contamination has not been fully assessed.
Politics
Court win for Murugappan family still blocks return to Queensland
Three members of a high-profile Sri Lankan asylum seeker family can reapply for bridging visas - but the situation for little Tharnicaa remains unchanged.
Business
Forrest pays $309m for battery tech with Williams F1 pedigree
Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue has bought the Williams Formula One team’s engineering offshoot that will switch gears from race cars to haul trucks.
World
US and UK order departure of Ukraine embassy families as war fears mount
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said if one more Russian force entered Ukraine in an aggressive manner, that would trigger a significant response.
Opinion
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Property
Full House creator selling mansion linked to Manson murders for $117m
Jeff Franklin’s opulent Beverly Hills estate comes with a waterfall, a shark tank and a link to one of Hollywood’s most infamous crimes.
With house prices through the roof, is it time for Plan B?
After house prices ran away in 2021, some property pundits are tipping units to grow in popularity - and price - in 2022.
Lifestyle
Avoiding the ripple effects of commenting on a child’s appearance
There can be long-lasting problems for people who continually faced comments about how they looked when they were young, and some parents are now pushing back against it.
Culture
Looking for love? The best, worst and weirdest dating shows streaming right now
Whether you’re hungover, heartbroken or hopelessly in love, there’s something strangely addictive about the reality dating genre.
Sport
‘Lessons to learn’: Open boss regrets how Djokovic saga disrupted tournament
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said that he believed he had the full support of the Tennis Australia board despite the furore over Novak Djokovic.
‘She won eight matches in one week’: Molik praises Barty’s prep work
They say proper preparation prevents poor performance and Alicia Molik believes Ashleigh Barty has done the work to serve up a title win at the Australian Open.
Bubble fatigue to cost All Stars clash more big names
The strict protocols for All Stars week have left some big-name players weighing up whether they will take part this year, with Latrell Mitchell already out due to suspension.
Ratings bonanza: Television figures show true power of Special Ks
The doubles pairing of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are drawing similar ratings to Ash Barty and Rafael Nadal, but it’s not enough to get the pair on Rod Laver Arena.
Richardson out of Pakistan tour, Warner to miss T20s against Sri Lanka
A 17-player T20 squad for the five-match Sri Lanka series and a preliminary squad for the Pakistan tour in March and April will be announced in the coming days.
Beale to return to Australia, eyeing fourth World Cup: report
Kurtley Beale has reportedly turned down an extension in France, believing a fourth World Cup appearance is best secured from Australia.
Matildas 4 The Philippines 0
Matildas
Philippines put up brave fight but Matildas’ class prevails
The Matildas are on the cusp of the second round of the Asian Cup after beating Alen Stajcic’s Philippines.
Have Your Say
Where is Peng Shuai? Nothing to see here
Tennis Australia, by banishing pro-Peng Shuai protestors from Melbourne Park, has shone an uncomfortable light back on its priorities at the Australian Open.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
