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Australia news LIVE: TGA provisionally approves Pfizer for children aged 5 and up; NSW’s Omicron cases grow
School-aged children are on track to receive the coronavirus jab before classes return next year, speculation is mounting that former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to announce a tilt at federal politics as soon as today and Victoria says it won’t pursue an “Omicron-zero” strategy.
- by Broede Carmody and Michaela Whitbourn
Bob Dole, war hero, senator, presidential candidate, dies at 98
Dole made a classic journey from the poverty of the Great Depression of the 1930s, through World War II battlefields to the corridors of power in Washington.
- by Will Dunham
Not going anywhere: SACA rebuffs WA claim to Ashes Test
Adelaide Oval’s day-night Ashes Test, due to start in a mere 10 days’ time, will not be going to Perth.
- by Daniel Brettig
NSW confirms nine more Omicron cases, ‘room for improvement’ in teen vaccination rate
Fourteen of the cases are linked to a south-west Sydney cluster of cases, the source of which remains unknown.
- by Mary Ward
Opinion
Inside China
The China Evergrande crisis is coming to a head
The world’s most indebted property company has conceded it might not have the cash to meet its guarantee of a $US260 million debt.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
Cranbrook takes another step towards opening school to girls
The eastern suburbs boys’ school has taken another step towards becoming co-educational in years 11 and 12.
- by Jordan Baker
The luxury consignment stores selling out on Instagram
Purchasing high-end pre-loved clothing via live Instagram auctions provided a retail therapy hit for many during lockdown. It’s not slowing down any time soon.
- by Kerri Sackville
Why would Putin want to invade Ukraine?
“One of the colossal problems pushing us into conflict is that Russian identity does not exist without Ukrainian identity,” said Ilya Ponomarev, a former member of Russia’s Parliament.
- by Anton Troianovski
Updated
Courts
Woman stabbed to death in alleged ‘random attack’ in Sydney’s south-west
A 67-year-old woman, with a walking frame, was found with multiple stab wounds at Riverwood on Sunday and died. A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder.
- by Sarah McPhee
‘Unbelievable’: Hamilton wins crazy Saudi GP to level with Verstappen
There were crashes, safety cars, red flags, claims of dirty driving after Lewis Hamilton hit the back of Max Verstappen’s suddenly slowing car, penalties, collisions and more.
- by Alan Baldwin
Brutal bitcoin fall adds to list of scary omens in markets for retail investors
A brutal bout of selling that wiped billions of dollars from profitless growth companies and ‘meme’ stocks has now hit bitcoin, testing retail traders.
- by Vildana Hajric, Lu Wang and Justina Lee
Sam Kerr leads Chelsea to FA Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley
Matildas superstar Sam Kerr scored a stunning individual goal as Chelsea thrashed Arsenal 3-0 to win the Women’s FA Cup at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
- by Christian Radnedge
‘We will win’: Violence flares at French far-right candidate’s campaign rally
Eric Zemmour has drawn comparisons in France to former US President Donald Trump because of his rabble-rousing populism.
- by Sylvie Corbet
Analysis
Coronavirus pandemic
Is the new ‘COVID normal’ a fresh variant every few months?
The world must be on guard for particularly large waves on the horizon and respond quickly — even if it’s just hitting the “pause” button.
- by Elizabeth Weise
I took my daughter to India for Schoolies to give her something I never had
As a teen, Sean Doyle struggled to navigate the larger world. So when his daughter Anna finished school, he chose something significant to mark that key moment in her life.
- by Sean Doyle
Do house prices really double every 10 years?
The old saying goes that property prices double every decade, but new figures show the locations where price growth has been even stronger – and where it hasn’t kept pace.
- by Elizabeth Redman
ICAC not a consideration as Liberals say Berejiklian shifts thinking on federal tilt
Senior Liberals say the pending findings of a corruption inquiry will have no bearing on whether the former NSW premier decides to run federally in Warringah.
- by Lucy Cormack
Top three designs for new Harbour Bridge cycle ramp unveiled
The public will have until late January to weigh in on their preferred option for the ramp at Milsons Point.
- by Carrie Fellner
CBD
City life
Milgroms get political tipping motza into Climate 200
The Milgrom family have decided to donate $500,000 to the Climate 200 war chest, run by Simon Holmes a Court. Trent Zimmerman and Tim Wilson, are you sweating yet?
- by Samantha Hutchinson and Stephen Brook
Bushfire-affected community asks for water storage, gets dance lessons
Resilience NSW officers determined in February the dance classes were “meritorious” but could not be funded under the bushfire recovery grants program. They funded them anyway.
- by Harriet Alexander
Opinion
Teaching
Consider these three facts about the teachers’ strike
The teachers’ claims are of relevance to all of us.
- by John Buchanan
Parents split over support for upcoming teacher strike
Some parents and associations say it’s time for teachers to receive better pay and conditions for their efforts, but others do not want any further disruption to students.
- by Jordan Baker and Natassia Chrysanthos
The Aussie crypto fund manager who is pulling in 28,000 per cent returns
Along with the massive returns and the lure of bleeding-edge technology, one of the things Richard Galvin likes most about the crypto space is its inefficiency.
- by Dominic Powell
Opinion
BNPL
Buy now, pay dearly later: how consumers are indebted with late fees
It’s the shiny new toy of credit, but the buy now, pay later industry profits when customers fail to pay on time.
- by Jenna Price
Omicron not fuelling surge in hospitalisations: Fauci
Initial data from South Africa, the epicentre of the outbreak of the Omicron variant, does not show a resulting surge of hospitalisations, America’s top COVID adviser said.
Independent inquiry to examine Michigan school’s actions ahead of shooting
An independent inquiry will investigate why school staff sent a student back to class despite finding images of bullets on his phone and disturbing drawings with the words “blood everywhere”.
Letters
Letters
Morrison’s sudden push for gender parity reeks of desperation
An eleventh-hour campaign to get more female Liberal candidates in key seats can’t camouflage the Coalition’s “women’s problems”.
Where to start?: Boards struggle with climate change risks, fail to act
Many Australian boards are struggling to prepare their companies or organisations for climate change, with almost half the country’s directors saying they don’t know how to tackle the issue.
- by Patrick Hatch
Sixers plunder woeful Stars in BBL opener
The Melbourne Stars were bowled out for 61 - the third lowest total in the tournament’s history.
- by Tom Decent
Police investigate alleged ‘Nazi’ attack on home of anti-racism campaigner
Paddy Gibson, who helped organise last year’s Black Lives Matter protests, says the attack was a “significant escalation” in threats to his safety from the far right.
- by Carrie Fellner
Tax revenue surge improves budget bottom line but big deficit awaits
New figures show the budget is almost $8 billion ahead of expectations, but that still means which ever party wins the 2022 federal election faces a huge deficit.
- by Shane Wright
Obituary
Obituaries
‘That’s your bloomin’ lot’: Australia’s favourite gardener dead at 94
With a twinkling eye and a cheery smile, Peter Cundall was like everyone’s perfect granddad.
- by Harriet Veitch
Exclusive
Fertility
How surrogacy allowed a single man to keep hold of his fatherhood dream
When Shaun Resnik found himself single at 40, with a lot of love to give and deep yearning for a child of his own, he had an epiphany.
- by Melissa Cunningham
Maxwell prosecutors paint a picture of wretched excess and sexual predation
One week into Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex-trafficking trial, the jury has already been on board Jeffrey Epstein’s private jet and inside his Palm Beach mansion. They’ve also seen his stained massage table.
- by Patricia Hurtado and Mary Biekert
NSW and Victoria say they will not pursue an ‘Omicron zero’ strategy
NSW and Victoria say they will not be altering plans to further lift COVID-19 restrictions and will not pursue an “Omicron zero” strategy to try to eradicate the new variant of the virus from the community.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Editorial
ALP
Albanese must make compelling case for change to oust Morrison
Labor, under Anthony Albanese, is hoping a modest policy agenda will starve Scott Morrison of political ammunition ahead of the federal election. But will that be enough to win government?
- The Herald's View
Tasmania to match the net return of an MCG Ashes Test
Hobart’s bid for a first-ever Ashes Test may come with a guarantee to match the net return from an equivalent MCG fixture.
- by Daniel Brettig
Updated
NBL
Kings spoil Dellavedova’s Melbourne United debut
The Sydney Kings were too fast for an undermanned Melbourne United, spoiling Matthew Dellavedova’s NBL debut.
- by Jon Pierik and Roy Ward
Starc gets backing from those who matter most after Test team named
Mitchell Starc and Travis Head have been pencilled in for the final two spots as new captain Pat Cummins announced the side for the Ashes opener in Brisbane.
- by Phil Lutton
First-up Lasting Grace ready for soft track on Tuncurry Cup day
Monday’s Tuncurry Cup meeting will see a selection of first-up starters chasing success over longer distances on soft tracks.
- by Neil Evans
Analysis
Horse racing
By George, the J-Mac legend grows with Moore yet to come
Top hoop James McDonald’s body of work at Rosehill on Saturday only added to the credence of those labelling him an all-time great.
- by Max Presnell
Coalition, Labor gear up for long election campaign on trust
The Coalition will seek to tie Labor’s election prospects to support from the Greens, while Labor wants to make the poll a referendum on the Prime Minister’s character.
- by Lisa Visentin and Shane Wright
‘It will define my captaincy’: Root under no illusions ahead of Ashes
The England captain cut a purposeful figure at the Gabba on Sunday, saying England could win the big occasions over the summer and his legacy as leader was at stake.
- by Phil Lutton
Explainer
Real life
Sit up straight! What is the point of table manners?
Don’t put your elbows on the table, don’t talk with your mouth full. Who made up these rules, and what are they for?
- by Felicity Lewis
Celebrity gardener Peter Cundall dies at the age of 94
The much-loved former host of the ABC’s Gardening Australia has passed away following a short illness, the broadcaster confirmed.
- by Carrie Fellner
Marigold serves up its last yum cha as Sydney institution closes its doors
The outpouring of community support could not stop the inevitable on Sunday, when the Sydney yum cha institution served up its last prawn dumplings, mango pancakes and barbecued pork buns.
No complacency: Viney says season-opening GF rematch the perfect motivator
A grand final rematch to open the season is the perfect motivator for Melbourne’s premiership players, according to Jack Viney.
- by Michael Gleeson
Big-hitting Lynn could be more dangerous without captaincy: Cutting
The Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat get their Big Bash campaigns underway on Monday night in Canberra.
- by Tom Decent
Labor, Greens fill Liberal vacuum in Parramatta
The Liberal Party’s abdication of Sydney’s second city leaves the door open for their political opponents to control the council.
- by Angus Thompson
Analysis
Federal politics
PM drives around Mt Panorama as Albanese spells out attack plan
The unofficial election campaign is under way - a battle between a PM in a fast touring car and an Opposition Leader saying it’s time to end the gimmicks.
- by Shane Wright
Moore set to hold City of Sydney council majority
Returning Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore’s team appears set to command a majority at Town Hall after securing an historic fifth term, with polling figures so far showing half of the council’s 10 places going to the powerful independent.
- by Angus Thompson
CBD
City life
War breaks out in North Bondi as Aitken-Nasser split gets messy
The fireworks went offline and spilled into a spectacular confrontation outside a North Bondi home.
- by Samantha Hutchinson and Stephen Brook
TGA approves jabs for 5-11 year olds as Victoria records seven deaths, 980 new cases
Victoria has recorded seven deaths and 980 new cases in the 24 hours to Sunday morning, as the TGA approved jabs for 5-11 year olds to begin on January 10.
- by Roy Ward, James Massola and Ashleigh McMillan
Jars bear artistic meaning in a world gone to pot
Archaeologists of the future will gain an unique insight into these strange, fearful days should they unearth Sassy Park’s apothecary jars.
- by Karen Pakula
Socceroos urged to pick Totti’s Aussie protege after Serie A debut
Cristian Volpato was told by two A-League clubs he wasn’t good enough. On Saturday night, he made his professional debut for Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma - against Inter Milan, no less, in one of the biggest fixtures on the Serie A calendar.
- by Vince Rugari