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Australia offers Ukraine help, urges citizens to leave
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.
US troops on alert for deployment as Russia’s Ukraine threat grows
The Pentagon says it has up to 8500 troops on heightened alert, ready to be deployed if needed to reassure NATO allies in the face of Russian aggression on the Ukraine border.
Exclusive
Gambling
Plans to cut Crown pokie players’ losses on ice
The state government is reconsidering a promise to force pokies players at Crown to commit to maximum losses amid feasibility fears.
‘Conditions are ideal’: WHO says Omicron won’t be last variant
The head of the World Health Organisation says conditions remain ideal for more coronavirus variants to emerge and that it’s dangerous to assume Omicron will be the last one.
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.
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.
Free for all: Copyright for Aboriginal flag transferred to public hands in $20m deal
The Aboriginal flag will be free for all to use after the federal government acquired the copyright in a $20 million deal with artist Harold Thomas.
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
Ratings bonanza: Television figures show the true power of the 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.
‘Lessons to learn’: Open boss regrets how Djokovic saga disrupted tournament
Craig Tiley said that he believed he had the full support of the Tennis Australia board despite the furore over Novak Djokovic’s visa.
Vibrant and adventurous, Mona Foma will lure you out of lockdown mentality
Artists, performers and grateful audiences come together again for Mona Foma in Launceston.
Designer Thierry Mugler, lover of latex, leather and curves, dies
Early muses included Grace Jones and David Bowie but a “wet dress” he designed for Kim Kardashian kept him relevant.
Gary Shteyngart brings a touch of Chekhov to pandemic comedy
Gary Shteyngart uses the architecture of Uncle Vanya for his wry comedy of manners.
ASX set to sink as Wall Street tumbles
The Australian sharemarket is bracing for heavy falls at the open as Wall Street’s rout continued with investors fretting over the Fed’s pivotal meeting this week and the Russia-Ukraine spat.
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.
Analysis
Cryptocurrencies
Crypto’s $US1tr collapse is testing true believers’ faith
With the blink of an eye, more than a trillion dollars in crypto-market value has evaporated, pouring salt on an already-deep wound.
Emily Nicolle and Vildana Hajric
AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022
Buffalo Bills’ defeat a bad omen for Pegula ahead of Barty quarter-final
Jessica Pegula faces Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open on Tuesday night and hopes that the Buffalo Bills’ overnight loss, the NFL team her family owns, isn’t an omen.
Peng Shuai supporters to hand out shirts at final as TA doubles down
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 at Melbourne Park.
Local
Accused ‘fake police’ allegedly bashed man at gunpoint, stole car
Victoria Police have arrested and charged two men with offences including impersonating an officer.
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.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Rising demand for nurse hotline leaves patients on hold
Noelene Nolan waited on hold to the Nurse on Call hotline for more than five hours as she sought help for the hundreds of ulcers on her shins.
Testing site worker charged over alleged theft of RATs
Police allege the teen was in the process of stealing the kits from a Melbourne testing site.
Pair charged with 67 offences after allegedly ramming stolen car into police
Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle drive into the police cars that were blocking the exit ramp at the Westfield Airport West shopping centre last Thursday.
OMICRON SPREADS
Fourth COVID vaccine shot found to be highly effective
Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla meanwhile said an annual COVID-19 vaccine would be preferable to more regular booster shots.
Brisbane Lion becomes AFL’s second anti-vax player to lose list spot
Brisbane have put a line through Cam Ellis-Yolmen for 2022 after he chose not to take his first vaccine jab on Friday and plan to fill his spot on the list with another player.
Politics
Liberal MPs pledge to boycott WeChat after PM blocked from platform
Scott Morrison has been blocked from accessing his WeChat account in a move some government MPs have likened to foreign interference ahead of an election.
Business
Qantas workers in last-minute bid to avoid vaccine cull
Qantas has agreed not to sack a group of un-vaccinated employees until a court rules on the legality of its COVID-19 jab mandate.
World
UAE, US intercept second Houthi missile attack targeting Abu Dhabi
The attacks threaten the business-friendly, tourism-focused efforts of the Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula also home to Dubai.
Opinion
Where is Peng Shuai? Nothing to see here
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
Putin has carefully built his advantage and will never have another chance like this
Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
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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
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
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
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 4-0.
Updated
Australian Open
Tsitsipas grinds his way to five-set win, Medvedev wins long and tough fight against Cressy
Two-time Australian Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is just one win away from another final-four berth after prevailing in a tough five-setter against American Taylor Fritz on Monday night.
Updated
Australian Open
Tour veteran Kanepi stuns second seed Sabalenka
Kaia Kanepi rallied to topple world No.2 and second seed Aryna Sabalenka. Earlier, Alize Cornet dropped to her knees after beating former world No.1 Simona Halep.
‘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.
Updated
Australian Open
The Italian job: Sinner sends last Australian man packing
Alex de Minaur’s dream run into the second week of his home grand slam is over after Jannik Sinner claimed a devastating, straight sets win.
‘It’s massive’: Australia focused on sealing Ashes early with Test win
Australia arrived in Canberra on Monday with a 4-2 advantage in the multi-format series, and with four points up for grabs in the Test at Manuka Oval.
Buffalo Bills’ defeat a bad omen for Pegula ahead of Barty quarter-final
Jessica Pegula faces Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open on Tuesday night and hopes that the Buffalo Bills’ overnight loss, the NFL team her family owns, isn’t an omen.
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
