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US Supreme Court
Crowd boos as Trump pays his respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg
People chanted "vote him out" as the President and first lady Melania Trump stood near the late Supreme Court Justice's coffin.
- by Kevin Freking
Trump's White House
Donald Trump's niece Mary sues him for 'rampant fraud'
Mary Trump has accused the US President and other family members of cheating her out of tens of millions of dollars from an inheritance.
Australian cricket
'It's a real tough day': Brett Lee returns to TV hours after trying to save Dean Jones
The former Australia fast bowler performed CPR on Jones in a desperate attempt to revive him at their Mumbai hotel.
- by Chris Barrett
letters
Letters
Muck-up fiasco just a symptom a sick society
People bewail the Shore muck-up day fiasco, yet the suggestions in the offensive handbook merely reflect the attacks on human dignity already carried out by Grand Poobahs of this nation.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
PM warned 'reactive' approach leaving aged care vulnerable
Doctors and nurses have joined forces to voice their concern about the risk of COVID-19 spreading through Australia's aged care sector as new outbreaks in Victorian facilities put the state's recovery at risk.
- by Dana McCauley
Australian music
Midnight Oil taps into Australia's 'unfinished business' for upcoming album
The Makarrata Project, a collaborative mini-album, has the stated intention to keep the Uluru Statement from the Heart at the forefront of our national conversation.
- by Michael Dwyer
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Theatres to increase audience numbers as restrictions ease in NSW
Live performances will be able to return to NSW from next month as the cap on audience numbers doubles.
- by Alexandra Smith and Kate Aubusson
Australia
In the Herald: September 25, 1929
Novel strike, a pocketful of snakes, and Tivoli theatre to close
- by Stephanie Bull
CBD
City life
Pell breaks (garlic) bread at Circular Quay Italian diner
It wasn't quite the last supper but Cardinal George Pell celebrated his freedom with about a dozen guests in Sydney this week.
- by Samantha Hutchinson and Stephen Brook
Opinion
High school
Shore challenges won't earn you entry to adult world
Is it bad that I am not surprised when I read the Triwizard Shornament challenge book? Is it even worse that I understand it?
- by Brandon Jack
Australian Women's cricket team
'Easy thing to do is nothing': Players to take stand against racism
Meg Lanning's team will form a Barefoot Circle before their game against New Zealand in recognition of the inequality between black and white Australia.
- by Andrew Wu
Best Games ever
'Temptation was too great': Grigorieva had the best seat in the house for Freeman's gold
At the 2000 Games, Tatiana Grigorieva was pole vaulting for silver at the exact time Cathy Freeman was racing for gold in the 400m. Grigorieva couldn't help but pause to watch history play out.
- by Michael Gleeson
Opinion
Federal budget
Sydney airport land deal makes ministers look like dunderheads and officials look like fools
The transfer of taxpayer funds to a wealthy political donor at a hugely inflated price stinks.
- by David Crowe
Vale
Australian cricketer Dean Jones dead after suspected heart attack
Former Australian batting legend's sudden death has shocked the cricketing world.
- by Jon Pierik, Andrew Wu and Chris Barrett
Broncos 16 Cowboys 32
NRL 2020
Brisbane clinch wooden spoon as dire season ends with another loss
Darius Boyd tried his best in his farewell game but it wasn't enough to prevent Brisbane finishing with their first wooden spoon.
- by Phil Lutton
ICAC
Pockets full of cash that bankrolled the visa scam linked to former Liberal MP: ICAC
A Wagga Wagga based-businessman has told a corruption inquiry he accepted $30,000 cash to employ a Chinese national who never actually worked for him under a scheme linked to former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.
- by Lucy Cormack
AFL 2020
Dangerfield leads All-Australian team, but Tigers snubbed
Patrick Dangerfield claimed an an eighth All-Australian honour, and the captaincy, while there were some surprising omissions.
- by Michael Gleeson
AFL 2020
Neale doubles up, Serong the AFL's Rising Star
Lachie Neale is on track to scoop the pool of this year's top individual AFL awards after being voted the game's top player by both his peers and the league's coaches.
- by Daniel Cherny
Exclusive
New Year
Sydney to go ahead with smaller NYE fireworks, 9pm celebration scrapped
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the event could be a symbol of hope and a signal that 2021 was a new year.
- by Megan Gorrey
Rugby Championship
NSW government and SANZAAR satisfied with Pumas protocols for Rugby Championship
With fixtures confirmed, the governing body maintains it is up to the the logistical challenge of organising an international tournament during the pandemic.
- by Tom Decent
AFL 2020
Jack Watts retires and reaches financial settlement with Port
Jack Watts has given up a significant sum of money by retiring when he was contracted for 2021 at Port Adelaide on a substantial deal.
- by Jake Niall and Anthony Colangelo
Coronavirus pandemic
As it happened: Victoria records 12 COVID-19 cases as Daniel Andrews flags further easing of restrictions; SA border opens to NSW as Australian death toll jumps to 861
More restrictions may be eased in Melbourne this weekend, beyond those previously flagged, while NSW residents can now travel to South Australia without having to quarantine.
- by Marissa Calligeros and Paul Sakkal
NRL 2020
'Rugby league saved my life': Badger bows out with message of hope
As he prepares to officiate his final match this weekend, veteran referee Gavin Badger has opened up about how rugby league saved him from a dark place.
- by Adrian Proszenko
NRL 2020
NRL 2020 LIVE: Broncos v Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium
The Broncos get one last chance to avoid the wooden spoon with a game against fellow Queensland strugglers the Cowboys. Live coverage from 7.30pm.
- by Adrian Proszenko
Opinion
University
Kiara had the best month of her life. Then everything was cancelled: How COVID-19 killed the uni experience
Student politics, newspapers, debating clubs, Quiddich societies and comedy revues have all been affected by the pandemic. By the time life returns to normal, will anyone at university remember what they have lost.
- by Nick Bonyhady
Coronavirus pandemic
Two crew from bulk carrier anchored off WA port test positive to COVID-19
Two crew members on board a manganese ore carrier anchored off Port Hedland have tested positive to COVID-19.
- by Nathan Hondros
Updated
Crime
Crashed car focus of investigation into 'targeted' fatal stabbing
Police believe the events leading up to a black car crashing into a creek in western Sydney could help them understand why a man was fatally stabbed nearby.
- by Mary Ward and Laura Chung
Coronavirus pandemic
'Trust someone': AstraZeneca boss says transparency key for vaccine
The boss of global biotech firm AstraZeneca has confirmed the company is still waiting for its US trial to restart.
- by Emma Koehn
Weather
Chilly start to school holiday as first total fire ban issued for the season
Sydney will reach temperatures of 25 degrees on Friday before a cold front moves across the city about 4pm, bringing a possible shower and thunderstorm.
- by Laura Chung
World politics
Maduro calls on UN members to rally against sanctions on his allies
In a speech he could only have delivered remotely as a trip to New York could have meant arrest, the Venezuelan President called on countries to "defend peace".
- by Luc Cohen
Courts
Abdul Abu-Mahmoud guilty of ordering Brayden Dillon revenge execution
Brayden, 15, was shot dead in his bed in Sydney's south-west in April 2017. He was targeted in revenge for the perceived actions of his brother.
- by Georgina Mitchell
State Parliament
Willow Grove heritage protections removed prior to Powerhouse site purchase
Restrictions protecting a historic building were removed when the NSW government purchased the site for the new museum project in Parramatta.
- by Linda Morris
Exclusive
Literature
Hilary Mantel 'naturally disappointed' by Booker Prize miss
The British novelist said she thought The Mirror and the Light was the best novel in her historical trilogy.
- by Melanie Kembrey
Australian cricket
Cricket Australia offers Seven discount but deal a long way off
Cricket Australia has indicated a willingness to give ground in the game's broadcast war with Seven West Media but a peace deal remains a distant prospect.
- by Chris Barrett and Jon Pierik
Claremont killer trial
As it happened: Bradley Edwards guilty of Ciara Glennon and Jane Rimmer's murders, not guilty over death of Sarah Spiers
More than two decades after Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon vanished off the streets of Claremont, the fate of their accused killer, Bradley Edwards, will finally be decided today.
- by Heather McNeill
Cars
Three people injured after car drives off cliff onto Newcastle beach
Emergency services were called to Bar Beach about 10.25am following reports that a car had gone off a cliff.
- by Laura Chung
Hong Kong protests
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong arrested
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been arrested by Hong Kong police.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
Exclusive
Political infighting
Nationals MP at centre of fresh koala policy controversy
Stephen Bromhead relayed concerns to the Planning Minister on behalf of property developers and Coalition donors connected to a major venture in Taree.
- by Tom Rabe and Alexandra Smith
World politics
Malaysian leadership on the brink of a new crisis
Anwar Ibrahim could be on the brink of achieving his long-held ambition to be prime minister, but the king could also order a fresh election.
- by James Massola
Supercars
Supercars inks $200m five year deal with Seven, Fox Sports, Kayo
Supercars are going back to the future by inking a five-year deal with original broadcaster Seven, Fox and Kayo in a deal said to be worth $200 million.
- by Michael Lynch
Paris Agreement
Exit from fossil fuels quickens after California, China signal shift
California's plan to ban new sales of fossil-fuel cars and China's first net zero target show that climate action is beginning to accelerate, analysts say.
- by Peter Hannam
Horse racing
'I was concerned': Peter Beattie questioned V'landys as ARLC chair after ABC program, court hears
The former ARL Commission chair told the court there was "opposition" within the NRL and "within the commission themselves" to V'landys' appointment.
- by Sarah Keoghan
NRL 2020
'Not pawns on a chessboard': Momirovski backs loans if players call shots
Paul Momirovski has no hesitation in recommending the NRL add a loan system for future seasons after spending this year with the Melbourne Storm.
- by Roy Ward
Whales
Hope for 20 more whales at Tasmanian stranding as focus turns to hundreds of dead
After Thursday, the operation will pivot to determining how to dispose of nearly 400 carcasses..
- by Mary Ward and Laura Chung
Coronavirus pandemic
Family faces $70,000 bill to get home as 26,000 Aussies stuck overseas
More than 26,000 Australians stranded overseas have registered as wanting to come home, including 4000 classed as vulnerable.
- by Anthony Galloway
Coronavirus pandemic
'It was a relief': Families reunite as borders - and the skies - open again
Thursday was not only eight-month-old Luca's first time in a plane, but also the first time he met his grandparents.
- by Laura Chung
Immigration
Cash offer to convince reluctant EU members to take refugees
The new plan offers incentives to the countries that have ignored previous minimum quotas, leaving the bulk of the problem to France and Germany.
- by Matina Stevis-Gridneff
Courts
McNamara claims Rogerson admitted prior murders before Jamie Gao killing
Both former detectives are appealing against their 2016 convictions and life sentences for the murder of the drug dealing student in a Padstow storage unit.
- by Jenny Noyes
Coronavirus pandemic
Trudeau says Canada is in second wave of pandemic
Justin Trudeau's government has committed to spending big to help the country recover from the pandemic.
- by David Ljunggren and Steve Scherer
Exclusive
Energy
'The idiot for Hunter': Labor colleagues trade insults in energy split
Sources say Labor frontbencher Mark Dreyfus is "dismayed" at colleague Joel Fitzgibbon's constant pro-coal rhetoric.
- by Rob Harris
Retail
Woolworths pledges to cut emissions as investor pressure mounts
Supermarket giant Woolworths has had its emission reduction goals endorsed by an independent, UN-backed body amid rising pressure for companies to take climate action seriously.
- by Dominic Powell
School strike for climate
Last year 80,000 students marched for the climate. In COVID-19, they're trying something different
More than 500 individual events are planned, ranging from a live-streamed Q&A and Instagram concert to socially distanced protests.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Casinos
Crown gave Packer secret profit forecast before $1.7b share sale
Crown Resorts boss Ken Barton says the $1.7b share sale to Lawrence Ho's Melco Resorts could have stopped the briefs to James Packer.
- by Patrick Hatch
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Don't turn NYE fireworks into a private event, Premier
Getting there early and claiming your spot on the harbour is not an option this New Year's Eve. But that doesn't mean access should be limited to those with big wallets.
- by Linda Scott
NBN
The NBN upgrade isn't a backflip, it's a forward roll
NBN Co has announced a massive new investment in upgrading the speeds of the network but it's not an embarrassing backflip to Labor's original all-fibre plan.
- by Stephen Bartholomeusz
China relations
Beijing bans Australian researchers in tit-for-tat
Clive Hamilton and Alex Joske have been banned from entering China after it was revealed Australia had revoked the visas of two Chinese academics.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
eBay
eBay workers who sent live spiders to critics to plead guilty
Four former eBay employees have agreed to plead guilty to their roles in a campaign of intimidation that included sending live spiders and cockroaches to a Massachusetts couple who ran an online newsletter critical of the auction site.
Media & marketing
Ex-Seven star seeks 'at least $500k' from network, court told
Presenter Simon Reeve has accused his former employer of contravening the Fair Work Act by not paying him annual leave or redundancy pay.
- by Georgina Mitchell
Domestic violence
'If he wants to hurt you, he hurts you through children': adult daughter's fear of John Edwards
The woman described her father - who had a history of abducting children - as “a narcissistic psychopath who I knew was physically capable of hurting people”.
- by Jacqueline Maley
Coronavirus pandemic
As it happened: Victorian MP Jenny Mikakos disputes Health Department's responsibility for guard quarantine procedures
Embattled Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos is being grilled at the COVID-19 hotel quarantine inquiry.
- by Hanna Mills Turbet
World politics
Officials say Netanyahu brings his dirty laundry to White House - literally
The clothes are cleaned for the Prime Minister free of charge by the US staff, a perk that is available to all foreign leaders but sparingly taken up.
- by John Hudson
Trade wars
'Unlawful': TikTok asks US judge to block Trump's ban as deadline looms
Chinese-owned TikTok asked a judge to block the Trump Administration's attempt to ban its app, suggesting the video-sharing app's forced deal with Oracle and Walmart remains unsettled.
- by Tali Arbel
Australian Women's cricket team
Perry in doubt for start of home summer
The star all-rounder's hopes of playing in the first match of Australia's international summer were dealt a further blow on Thursday.
- by Andrew Wu
City life
'A symbol of hope': Premier pushes for New Year's fireworks
The Premier confirmed she is in talks with local councils to put on the city's traditional fireworks display, with a "strong intent" that the event occurs in some form.
- by Mary Ward and Tom Decent
ICAC
A 'pretty good deal:' ICAC hears details of cash for rural visa scheme
A Wagga Wagga based-businessman has told a corruption inquiry he accepted $30,000 cash to employ a Chinese national who never actually worked for him under a scheme linked to former Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.
- by Lucy Cormack
Coronavirus pandemic
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos wanted army in, private security out of hotels
Health Minister sharply criticises quality of private security companies as they worked in hotel quarantine, saying it was too risky to have them guarding travellers.
- by Michael Fowler and Tammy Mills
Analysis
Please Explain podcast
Please Explain podcast: What does the death of RBG mean for the US Supreme Court?
In this episode, climate and environment editor Nick O'Malley is joined by US correspondent Matthew Knott to discuss the aftermath of RBG's death and the implications for not only the Supreme Court but the upcoming election.
- by Nick O'Malley
Human rights
New images reveal China's growing detention centre network
Beijing claims all detainees have “graduated” from re-education camps. The images tell a different story.
- by Eryk Bagshaw and Anthony Galloway
Updated
Courts
Gunfire erupts in protests after Louisville policemen cleared in Breonna Taylor death
A grand jury has indicted a former Louisville police officer for wanton endangerment during a botched drug raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor.
- by Bryan Woolston and Jonathan Allen
Exclusive
China relations
China, UN blasted by Labor senator over coronavirus response, view on Israel
Kimberley Kitching has accused China of "neo-Stalinist domestic policies" and displaying "belligerent and hegemonic behaviour in the international arena".
- by Anthony Galloway
Coronavirus pandemic
Nine in 10 Americans still susceptible to COVID, CDC boss warns
The early findings are significant and raise further doubt about the ability of the US to achieve so-called herd immunity.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Rugby Championship
Christmas in quarantine: RA urges fuming All Blacks to call for relaxing of COVID-19 rules
A six-week Rugby Championship schedule in Australia, finishing on December 12, was announced on Thursday. Minutes later, New Zealand Rugby said it had not agreed to it.
- by Tom Decent
Coronavirus pandemic
NSW reports two COVID-19 cases as restrictions on weddings to be eased
NSW has reported one new COVID-19 case in the community and one case in a traveller in hotel quarantine.
- by Kate Aubusson
Coronavirus pandemic
Paire says he played in Hamburg despite testing positive for COVID-19
Frenchman Benoit Paire said on Wednesday that he was allowed to play in the Hamburg Open despite testing positive for COVID-19 because the "rules are different" in Germany.
Disney
Disney bumps Marvel movies down the line as COVID keeps audiences away
The persistence of the pandemic and uncertainty over streaming has prompted Disney to bump many of its major releases to next year.
- by Steven Zeitchik and Karl Quinn
ACL
Al Hilal kicked out of Champions League after naming 11-man squad due to COVID-19
Defending champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia have been kicked out of the AFC Champions League after naming only 11 players for their final group match due to a raft of COVID-19 positives.
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Slow death spiral: Europe's economy is in fundamental crisis
The recovery of Europe's economy was already fading before the second wave of COVID-19 struck, now the road ahead is looking treacherous.
- by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
AUSTRAC crackdown
How Westpac's record-breaking fine compares to others
Westpac's $1.3 billion fine will dwarf all previous civil penalties for misconduct ever handed down in Australia.
- by Charlotte Grieve
US votes 2020
'We’re going to have to see what happens': Trump opens door to violence if he loses
Trump on Wednesday appeared to suggest that if states got “rid of” the unsolicited mailing of ballots there would be no concern about alleged fraud.
- by Aamer Madhani and Kevin Freking
Analysis
World markets
Tesla's 'Battery Day' letdown puts $452 billion stock gain at risk
Elon Musk had been hyping the event for months, helping to send its share price soaring. But the end result was grandiose plans that have underwhelmed the market.
- by Dana Hull, Akshat Rathi and Gabrielle Coppola
Best Games ever
As it happened: Freeman into the final, Takahashi's marathon effort
Day nine: The whole of Australia will remain on the edge of its seat for the next 24 hours after Cathy Freeman's qualification for the 400m final.
- by Sarah Keoghan
US votes 2020
Democratic leaders unveil sweeping 'post-Trump' reforms
The release of The Protecting Our Democracy Act signals the changes congressional Democrats envision pursuing under a possible Joe Biden presidency.
- by Karoun Demirjian
Updated
AUSTRAC crackdown
Westpac announces record-breaking $1.3b fine
Westpac has announced it will pay a $1.3 billion fine, the largest in Australian corporate history, for breaching anti-money laundering laws and for failing to stop child exploitation payments.
- by Charlotte Grieve
Analysis
Mergers & acquisitions
Trump wants to show China the art of making a deal
The Oracle-TikTok deal appeared close to being finalised. But as the US and China continue to butt heads in their bid to claim victory, it appears much is up in the air.
- by Hannah Boland
US votes 2020
Prince Harry urges Americans to reject hate speech ahead of US election
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have urged US citizens to vote, with Harry warning they must reject "hate speech" ahead of the November 3 election.
- by Hannah Furness and Camilla Tominey
Protest
Belarus' Lukashenko inaugurated in unannounced ceremony, protests swell
Ignoring calls for an end to his 26-year grip on power, Lukashenko was sworn in for a sixth term after an election seen by many as rigged.
- by Andrei Makhovsky
Updated
World markets
ASX set to drop as Wall Street dives on fresh economic fears; $A falls again
Wall Street fell across the board as new data heightened fears of a choppy economic recovery from the pandemic-driven recession.
- by Herbert Lash
Exclusive
Energy
Power giant EnergyAustralia urges battery focus in federal plan
One of the nation's largest power suppliers says supporting battery installations will be key to Australia's energy plan.
- by Nick Toscano
Assange saga
Assange could crochet and play bingo in supermax prison, US prosecutor claims
Seena Fazel, a professor in forensic psychiatry at Oxford University, said that Assange is only "moderately depressed".
- by Latika Bourke
US votes 2020
Bernie Sanders sounds alarm on a Trump ‘nightmare scenario’
Trump, who has consistently trailed Biden in national and swing-state polls, has spent months trying to sow doubt about voting and the election.
- by Sydney Ember