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‘Bumpy’ start to school expected, with one third of students jabbed
Paediatrician warns schools are in for a bumpy month but experts agree the benefits outweigh the risks as classes prepare to return on Monday.
Yoo-rrook Commission CEO quits amid infighting
Public hearings for the commission are yet to commence after a year of COVID-related delays, raising questions about the leadership of the organisation.
SES continues clean-up after severe thunderstorm lashes Melbourne
The weather bureau said hailstones larger than 20¢ coins hit Melbourne’s inner east as the SES responded to about 1600 calls statewide.
Updated
Australian Open
‘Not the most mature person:’ Tsitsipas slams Medvedev as Russian sets up Nadal final
Daniil Medvedev is all that stands between Rafael Nadal and a record-breaking 21st grand slam title after the world No.2 slugged his way to an at-times volatile victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Lawyer accused of posting solicitor’s number in sex work ad
A family and divorce lawyer fighting sexual harassment allegations says he posted the female solicitor’s number online accidentally during a drug and alcohol-fuelled spree, VCAT has heard.
INXS guitarist loses severed finger case after boat accident
Tim Farriss has been ordered to pay costs after unsuccessfully suing a boating operator over an accident that severed a finger on his chord-playing hand.
Russia accuses Australia of falling for Western ‘propaganda’
Russia’s ambassador to Australia says just because troops were massing on the border with Ukraine it did not mean Moscow was preparing to invade.
Agent keen to flush out buyer for house with four toilets in one bathroom
Apparently, the Girl Scouts organisation added the extra toilets. At least in the bathroom up to four people can always be prepared.
Regulator will ‘sit tight’ on further property lending limits: Economists
Major bank economists are expecting the prudential regulator to hold off introducing more lending restrictions as the likelihood of an interest rate rise this year increases.
Opinion
Married At First Sight
This time I absolutely won’t be watching MAFS ... I think, maybe
Married at First Sight’s gormlessness makes me want to throw the iron at the telly but I’ll no doubt be tuning in again with 2 million others for the ninth season.
Kate Halfpenny
Regular columnist
Can The Wiggles win the Hottest 100 again?
Their latest cover single, released off the back of their Triple J triumph, proves Elephant wasn’t a fluke.
AOC signs with Gina Rinehart but not everyone is happy with the deal
Hancock Prospecting’s partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee is a win for athletes but critics have labelled the move as “embarrassing” given Rinehart’s climate stance.
Apex predator: Killer whales hunt the largest animal on earth
A new study has shown for the first time that killer whales successfully hunted and killed blue whales on three separate occasions off the coast of Western Australia.
‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’: Flying solo on the ice at 120km/h
Australian Bree Walker has fought tooth and nail for the chance to make history when the curiously titled monobob event makes its Olympic debut.
★★
Arts
Soul-baring play from trans Harry Potter star reflects uneasy truths
Eva Rees’ courage as a trans woman underlies her debut play, though it suffers from some unskilled writing.
WEEKEND READS
Opinion
Two minutes with Danny Katz: How do I say ciao to my chai barista?
Most chai lattes already have a dishwatery vibe, but if your regular barista isn’t making them to your liking, just be honest.
Danny Katz
Columnist
Good Weekend letters to the editor: January 29
Want to chat? We’d love to hear from you. Send your letters to goodweekend@goodweekend.com.au.
Local
Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
More deaths than any other day: At least 98 Australians die with COVID-19
The COVID-19 death toll has climbed throughout January and was into the 90s on Friday.
Woman had to bite Andrew O’Keefe to stop him choking her, court told
The former presenter has been refused bail after he allegedly punched, kicked and choked a woman at an apartment this week.
Melbourne’s west on course for severe schools shortage
New schools are being built in Melbourne’s west, but there won’t be enough of them – a report forecasting the region will be six short of its needs by 2031.
Coal, gas power shrinking as renewable energy shines
Renewable energy is squeezing fossil fuels further out of the nation’s power mix and threatening the viability of coal-fired power plants.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Vouchers, business relief on cards as state prepares support package
Industry bodies have been lobbying the state government for aid throughout January as people stayed home due to avoid the rampant spread of Omicron.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022
‘Best she’s ever been’: Barty looms as difficult opponent for Collins
Danielle Collins hopes to find her “zen” against Ash Barty, but it won’t be easy with the craft and guile the world No.1 has brought to her tennis at the Australian Open.
‘Everything is different’: Last Australian champ compares her Open to Barty’s
Chris O’Neil will lose a portion of her place in history if Ash Barty wins the Australian Open on Saturday night. O’Neil won’t be bothered in the least.
Politics
‘Grace is a passionate person’: PM brushes off frosty reception
Scott Morrison says outgoing Australian of the Year Grace Tame is doing important work for sexual assault victims as he brushed off questions about their meeting.
Business
Atlassian defies tech stock nosedive
Better than expected revenue will aid the company’s ambitious plan to hire 5000 more staff in Australia.
World
Brand China: the inside story of Beijing’s plan to woo the world
The Winter Olympics will mark the high point of China’s latest public relations campaign.
Opinion
Return to school rules a chance to foster the altruism we all need
Alexandra Martiniuk
Professor of epidemiology
The starter’s gun has fired for the Victorian election
Josh Gordon
Acting state political editor
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Property
Regional house prices surge as Melburnians flood coastal and tree-change hotspots
The median house price in some areas rose as much as 40% last year, creating a windfall for some but an affordability for some home-towners.
Analysis
Property prices
Time to get used to the idea that house prices could drop
Australian house prices have risen to extraordinary levels. No one is predicting they will suddenly become cheap, but once interest rates rise, that growth is tipped to end.
Lifestyle
In defence of Miranda Hobbes (and quitting your old life)
Cynthia Nixon’s Sex and the City character became a feminist touchstone but her most recent chapter has caused disappointment. What’s behind it?
Culture
As We See It is not a typical portrayal of autism
Jason Katims, the creator of Amazon’s gentle dramedy about three twentysomethings who share an apartment in LA, was determined to change the way TV depicts autistic characters.
Sport
Updated
Australian Open
‘Not the most mature person:’ Tsitsipas slams Medvedev as Russian sets up Nadal final
Daniil Medvedev is all that stands between Rafael Nadal and a record-breaking 21st grand slam title after the world No.2 slugged his way to an at-times volatile victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Giants 7.1 (43) Bulldogs 2.9 (21)
Women's AFL
‘It’s just not simple’: Giant’s ‘complex’ call casts awkward shadow over AFLW pride game
The Giants beat the Western Bulldogs by 22 points on Friday afternoon - but one of their key players, Haneen Zreika, sat out because of religious objections to the team’s rainbow guernsey.
‘Best she’s ever been’: Barty looms as difficult opponent for Collins
Danielle Collins hopes to find her “zen” against Ash Barty, but it won’t be easy with the craft and guile the world No.1 has brought to her tennis at the Australian Open.
Updated
Australian Open
Nadal on the verge of history as he heads into another grand slam final
The Spanish champion has the chance to win his 21st major after advancing to the final of the Australian Open.
‘Serena-esque’: Barty’s serving numbers compared to dominant Williams of five years ago
Australian Open glory is Ash Barty’s for the taking, according to stars of the game, with the world No.1’s dominant serve likened to that of Serena Williams at her most devastating.
Knight cracks fighting century but Australia remain in control of Women’s Ashes Test
England captain Heather Knight produced a “super gritty” century with minimal support from teammates, but Australia remain in the box seat in the Women’s Ashes Test.
We’re entertaining you, whether you like it or not
The so-called special Ks and their cheer squad seem to think they’re fixing something that isn’t broken in tennis.
Have Your Say
Final will pit ‘in control’ Barty against big-hitter
What a summer Ash Barty has been having, undefeated in Adelaide and Melbourne. How will the match between two players of such contrasting styles play out?
