Morning Edition
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
What in the World newsletter
Our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world.
Evening Edition
Get the day's most important breaking news delivered to your inbox.
Quarantine awaits McGowan after bid to avoid attending Palmer defamation trial in person fails
Mark McGowan will travel to Sydney next month to attend his defamation trial against Clive Palmer.
Perth tradie fined $3000 for threatening messages left on Premier’s phone
In sentencing the 20-year-old, Magistrate Steven Malley said the phone calls showed the electrical apprentice lacked maturity.
Updated
Australia Day
‘Luckiest guy in this country’: Dylan Alcott is Australian of the Year
Paralympic champion and tennis golden grand slam winner Dylan Alcott is the 2022 Australian of the Year.
Miner Gina Rinehart pools support after beneficiaries strike gold
Iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart was among the recipients of Australia Day Honours this year with the committee lauding her service to the mining sector and philanthropic efforts. But her sports patronage may have been the clincher.
‘Surprised they let me in’: Grace Tame jokes after frosty reception with PM
Reigning Australian of the Year Grace Tame sparked criticism when she greeted Scott Morrison at an event in Canberra with a stern look.
Analysis
Science
Does booster-shot timing make a difference? Which brand should I pick? Here’s what we know
Australians are being urged to get a COVID-19 booster shot. But what does the data tell us about the effectiveness of the vaccines on offer and about the ideal interval between doses?
WeChat account owner set to cancel PM’s account
Huang Aiping, who bought the account from another Chinese user in October last year, said he did not know it was Morrison’s account when he purchased it.
Trump’s COVID antibody treatment shelved after failing to stop Omicron
The antibody treatments that helped treat Trump have been restricted by the Food and Drug Administration after they proved useless against the new variant.
As Russia’s Ukraine threat grows, US puts troops on alert for deployment
The growing concern that tens of thousands of Russian troops massed along the Ukraine border would soon move into Ukraine territory came despite Russia claiming it has no plans to invade.
‘The rowdier, the better’: Kyrgios, Kokkinakis light up raucous crowd and earn a spot in the semi-finals
The atmosphere had to be seen to be believed as the Australian pair beat Michael Venus and Tim Puetz to earn a place in the semi-finals.
Updated
Ashleigh Barty
Ruthless Barty into Australian Open semi-finals
Ashleigh Barty has equalled her best finish at the Australian Open and moved just two wins away from ending a famous drought for the sporting nation.
Updated
Rafael Nadal
Nadal’s rival slams preferential treatment as Spaniard wins five-setter
Rafael Nadal won through to another semi-final, in what appeared a gutsy performance but was accused of getting preferential star treatment from umpires by his opponent.
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.
No price listed, but this 16th century castle comes with a free ghost
A magnificent Scottish castle that entertained royalty has graced the market, and it comes with a ghost and an asking price that could scare you even more.
Explainer
Healthcare
Do blue-light glasses relieve ‘digital eye strain’?
Blue-light glasses are supposed to protect your eyes from the damage caused by computer screens. Do they work?
Just in
Editor's Picks
Opinion
Australia Day
History has shown activists and revolutionaries tend to prioritise messages over manners
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
Opinion
Australia Day
The case for a guaranteed Australia Day long weekend
Jessica Irvine
Senior economics writer
covid in the community
WA doctors speak out against keeping hard border
Healthcare staff have joined more than 1000 signatures on a petition calling for Premier Mark McGowan to reopen the border as promised, saying it made no sense medically to remain closed.
Thirteen new local COVID-19 cases include mystery Bunbury case
The news comes as a daycare centre in Thornlie was added to the list of exposure sites and the state urged anyone with even mild symptoms to go and get tested.
Western Australia
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.
Terence Kelly admits abducting Cleo Smith from campsite
Kelly, 36, was arrested after detectives raided his Carnarvon house at 12.46am on November 3 and found the little girl alone inside a bedroom playing with toys.
WA Premier, AG seek to avoid travelling to Sydney for Palmer defamation trial
WA Premier Mark McGowan has filed a Federal Court application seeking to give evidence remotely in his upcoming defamation battle with Clive Palmer.
Benefits of boosters would start to wane after March: Chief Health Officer
The level of vaccine protection would be at its best at the end of March, according to WA’s medical advice, as the government stays quiet on when borders might open.
Environmental approvals lapse for three out of four grandfathered uranium projects in WA
The WA Labor government brought in a ban on uranium mining when it came to power in 2017 except for four existing projects. Environmental approvals have now lapsed for three.
Politics
WeChat account owner set to cancel Prime Minister’s account
Huang Aiping, who bought the account from another Chinese user, said he did not know it was Scott Morrison’s account when he purchased it.
Business
Opinion
Mining
The difference between Serbia and Mongolia - one is in Rio’s court
Rio Tinto can only be thankful that Mongolia is not home to an unvaccinated tennis star who was denied the chance to play in the Australian Open.
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
World
Updated
UK politics
London police open investigation into Downing Street parties
Police had until now declined to investigate the alleged breaches of lockdown rules, despite multiple media reports of various events held at the Prime Minister’s official work residence.
Opinion
Russia’s Ukraine ambitions could cause a global energy crisis
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Young voters are leaning in, but politics as usual grosses them out
Jenna Price
Columnist and academic
Australia has a problem: we’re not turning all our wealth into wellbeing
Matt Wade
Senior economics writer
Explore
Property
No price listed, but this 16th century castle comes with a free ghost
A magnificent Scottish castle that entertained royalty has graced the market, and it comes with a ghost and an asking price that could scare you even more.
Starting a house hunt? Beware the ‘wounded under-bidder’
Potential property buyers who missed out in 2021 are approaching this year’s market with renewed determination, bigger budgets and professional purchasing help.
Lifestyle
Opinion
Britney Spears
Britney versus Jamie Lynn: the toxic saga of the Spears sisters
What seemed like liberation for Britney Spears has descended into turmoil once more. Why has her sister apparently turned against her?
Eleanor Margolis
Culture
On BookTok, TikTok’s community of bibliophiles, crying is commonplace
Eloise Hampson’s anguish has been viewed more than a million times.
Sport
Updated
Australian Open
Ruthless Barty into Australian Open semi-finals
Ashleigh Barty has equalled her best finish at the Australian Open and moved just two wins away from ending a famous drought for the sporting nation.
Opinion
AFL 2022
How will AFL bring about real change for Indigenous people?
Australia Day is a good day to start thinking about what real change needs to happen to enrich our conversation, both in this country and in Australian rules football.
Mathew Stokes
Updated
Australian Open
Nadal’s rival slams preferential treatment as Spaniard wins five-set clash
Rafael Nadal won through to another semi-final, in what appeared a gutsy performance, but was accused of getting preferential star treatment from umpires by his opponent who also questioned his illness.
‘The rowdier, the better’: Kyrgios, Kokkinakis light up crowd, earn semi spot
The atmosphere had to be seen to be believed as the Australian pair beat Michael Venus and Tim Puetz to earn a place in the semi-finals.
Head full of steam: Forgotten man back for Australia’s white-ball team
Cricket Australia has made four changes to the Twenty20 squad which won the T20 World Cup in October - and Ashes player of the series Travis Head is among them.
Lions unveil next crop of stars as they overcome Blues
Reigning premiers Brisbane showed their depth is more than capable of filling the void at AFLW level after overcoming Carlton on Tuesday night without some of their most experienced players.
Roberts no guarantee to start for Waratahs as Hooper set to miss Super opener
Waratahs coach Darren Coleman says it “remains to be seen” whether former Wales international Jamie Roberts will start in round one.
Have Your Say
Activists laud TA decision to reverse ban on ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ shirts
Spectators will be permitted to wear the T-shirts but banners are still barred due to safety concerns.