ClubSocial: 2021

Australia’s march of folly has smashed my trust in government

I admired the way Australia was managing to contain the pandemic, but then everything changed.

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From Baz to Buzz and Batman: the most anticipated movies this year

While nothing is guaranteed, it is a year full of promise in cinemas.

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Drone delivery, DAOs, digital docs: The tech trends to watch out for in 2022

As technology advances, it is anyone’s guess what craze 2022 might hold. Here are some predictions what to watch out for this year.

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The long game: Howard says Australia must wait out China aggressiveness

Former prime minister John Howard enjoyed a strong relationship with former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, but he now says Australia will have to wait for change in China.

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Official coronavirus tally falling behind real virus numbers

As more people use at-home rapid tests, there are calls for NSW to count these in the official statistics.

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The Premier versus the pandemic: Omicron tests the incurable optimist

Dominic Perrottet appears determined to keep his eyes on an agenda larger than managing the pandemic - but the pandemic remains the looming wild card for 2022.

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How you can experience award-winning architect designed homes

There are some famous houses designed by architects you can now rent for a holiday, ranging from boatsheds and tree houses to mansions overlooking the beach.

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What laws, tolls, fees and rebates will change on January 1

Government giveaways such as rebates and vouchers join toll road and fee increases from Saturday.

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A mindset coach, dietitian and gym founder on their top habits for 2022

Experts in the mind, fitness and nutrition realms share a health habit they will be focusing on in 2022, and offer advice on how to adopt it.

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The wide open road: will we ever look at it the same way again?

“You girls shouldn’t be out here doing this,” older women would scold me and my cousin. “Haven’t you heard about what’s happening on the east coast?”

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‘Ghislaine’s lack of empathy was always there in plain sight’

The consummate Daddy’s Girl learnt at her father’s knee how to placate a cruel and demanding man. She would go on to replicate this talent with Epstein.

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Six top gardeners share their new year’s resolutions for 2022

Vows for the coming year are all bound up with what went wrong – and right – in the year that has just been.

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Riot squad forced to quell Airbnb parties across Sydney

Police have reported a rise in “serious incidents” in Airbnbs before New Year’s Eve, including bloodied walls, a stabbing and brawls.

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Australia’s five biggest worries in 2021

The coronavirus, especially infection rates, restrictions and economic disruptions, shaped what Australians most worried about.

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Dustin Fletcher’s advice punted as son Mason prepares for US college play-offs

Despite having had one of the biggest kicks in the AFL, Essendon legend Dustin Fletcher’s attempts at giving son Mason punting advice largely fell on deaf ears as the latter forges a brilliant US college football career.

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Riots, royals and Delta rising: the biggest stories from a year of extremes

The invasion of the US Capitol on January 6 was only the first in a series of extraordinary events and huge moments that would dominate the news in 2021.

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Tesla recalls almost half a million electric cars over safety issues

The US road safety regulator said Tesla was recalling more than 475,000 of its Model 3 and Model S electric cars to address a number of issues.

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US shortened COVID isolation over fears essential services could break down

The Centres for Disease Control thought America’s record Omicron surge could shut down grocery stores, mail delivery and factories as well as health services.

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Narcissist or just a bit selfish? Let’s set some boundaries for my generation’s constant state of diagnosis

Therapy-speak, psychobabble … whatever you call it, it’s become part of the 20-something conversation.

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‘Spirited and unpretentious’ movie a treat for fans of Clifford books

If you grew up reading Clifford the Big Red Dog you’ll enjoy this family film about why it’s good to be different, whether you’re an oversized pup or a child.

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2021 was a huge year for space exploration. 2022 could be even bigger

If this was the year of the private space tourist, the next could be marked by the first steps towards a return to the moon.

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New fleet of ambulance aircraft to take to the skies

The aircraft will begin flying on January 1 and will replace the current fleet operated out of the Mascot airbase by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

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Why I am not getting a PCR test

I have finally caught the virus, but I have no intention of joining the hundreds of thousands of people in queues for a PCR test.

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How we’ll adapt to our new COVID reality, by Premier Perrottet

The NSW Premier writes we’ll always put safety first, but with high vaccination rates the nature of the challenge has changed - and so must we.

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‘What am I going to do?’: Testy moments in a COVID queue

The Premier discouraged people from getting PCR tests unless they have symptoms, but most people standing in the rain have good reason to be here.

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Free but not a free-for-all: Plan to get 34 million rapid tests to Victorians

The government is likely to establish facilities across the state to hand out tests where people will be asked to display basic ID and detail why they require an at-home kit.

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English cricket is having its reckoning over race. When will Australia?

Australian cricketers have spoken up about racism in the sport, however, unlike the UK there have been no inquiries, reports or Prime Ministerial statements.

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Chief health officers consider winding back isolation period

Australia’s chief health officers are considering reducing the isolation period for people who test positive to COVID-19 following recent moves by health agencies in the US and the UK to shorten isolation requirements.

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Sydney ‘locking itself down’: thousands cancel for NYE despite Premier’s plea

It’s just three days until Sydney will ring in the New Year but many of the city’s tourism and hospitality providers are struggling to stay open.

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May the only outbreak in 2022 be one of common sense

Avoiding COVID and surviving lockdowns were only some of the challenges we faced this year.

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‘Her views no longer aligned’: Anglicans defend sacking of gay teacher

The Sydney Anglican Diocese said Steph Lentz was dismissed because she believed Christians should be able to enter same-sex relationships.

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Why I’ve resolved not to make a New Year’s resolution this year

The last thing I need is to spend the next three months in a doomed enterprise of self-improvement. And so, instead, I count my blessings. Will you join me?

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Suspected fraud cases prompt calls for research integrity watchdog

Universities have struggled to prosecute allegations of research misconduct, and scientists are calling for an independent body to oversee investigations.

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My five best tips for setting New Year’s resolutions

Given the year that’s just been, there’s never been a better time for a fresh start.

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More arts funding needed if we are to find our ‘next’ Cate Blanchett

Many arts companies are always scrambling for support as government funding is slashed. Now many have found life under COVID to be impossible.

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Why I’m helping to organise a boycott of this year’s Sydney Festival

This year’s Sydney Festival is being sponsored by a brutal regime.

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Most people just want a roof overhead and a place to call home

A review of social housing in Victoria has found a dearth of suitable properties to accommodate renters and lower income workers.

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More worried by charts than policy: Critics circle RBA ahead of review

The Reserve Bank faces an independent review after the next election. Two senior economists have critiqued the bank’s policy settings and their possible threats.

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Rise in vaccination disputes hitting the Family Court

The courts have seen a rise in the number of claims related to vaccination and children, but also disputes where one parent has stopped letting their child spend time with the other unvaccinated parent.

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A 24-hour city: Parramatta council to consider late-night trading plan

Businesses and venues in Parramatta’s commercial core could operate around the clock, while bars and restaurants on Church Street could stay open until 3am.

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Rozelle residents face double disruption from interchange and rail line

Residents who endured years of inconvenience from the WestConnex motorway project face a second wave of disruption, as work ramps up on Sydney’s new rail line.

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Macquarie University considers investigating suspected research fraud

A Macquarie University neuroscientist, who this year became a Member of the Order of Australia, has been linked to 25 papers that contain potentially doctored images.

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Frydenberg leads the list of likeable politicians

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has gained an edge over his federal peers on a key measure of personal popularity, with surveys showing he has a net likeability rating of 3 per cent at a time when others have slumped to negative results.

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‘She sure gave me a present’: How to deal with unwanted sexual innuendo

Why was my friend’s husband alluding to their sex life, over drinks? Why was she not saying anything? And why was I so irritated? Thankfully, there are ways to handle this.

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National resting place for Indigenous remains should be focal point for Australia Day: Liberal elder

Former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson wants Australia Day to start with a solemn recognition of Indigenous Australians focused on a new national resting place.

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‘This is our story’: the Indigenous land managers bringing life back to the state’s south-west

Storms are regular in the region, as are floods and droughts. The harsh conditions are not for everyone, but for Nari Nari man Jamie Woods and Ngiyampaa man Mark Schneider, managing the property is the best job there is.

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Kambosos steals show in ’21, Tszyu sets sights on 2022 coronation

George Kambosos jnr’s lightweight triumph was the outstanding moment for Australian boxing as Tim Tszyu readies for a global assault in 2022.

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Spider-Man surpasses $1 billion globally in second weekend

Peter Parker’s good fortune continued over the holiday weekend with Spider-Man: No Way Home crossing the $1 billion mark globally.

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Southampton edge West Ham in Boxing Day thriller

James Ward-Prowse scored one and created another as Southampton dug deep to earn a much-needed 3-2 win over West Ham United in a pulsating Premier League game at the London Stadium on Sunday.

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France reports 100,000 daily virus infections for first time

France has recorded more than 100,000 virus infections in a single day for the first time in the pandemic and COVID-19 hospitalisations have doubled over the past month, as the fast-spreading Omicron variant complicates the French government’s efforts to stave off a new lockdown.

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Why wait for New Year’s Day, start your resolutions now

If the purpose of New Year’s resolutions is to scrutinise personal shortcomings, to make solemn promises of change, why defer the cleansing of the soul?

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‘He needs to back it up’: Leaked cricket drug complaint sparks security warning

A confidential phone call between a whistleblower and Cricket Australia’s ex-integrity chief has been leaked, exposing serious security flaws in the organisation’s anti-corruption unit.

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Extra 800,000 booster jabs rushed to GPs, pharmacists as demand skyrockets

The federal government will throw an extra 800,000 booster doses at GPs and pharmacists in the first week of January, as medical practitioners say they are rapidly exhausting their vaccine supplies.

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Holidaymakers hit the road amid anxiety over COVID-19 rule changes

The risk of catching COVID-19, or simply being caught out by shifting rules and regulations, has forced many travellers to choose the open road over the skies this festive season.

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Forcing unvaccinated people to pay for hospital care is wrong

No matter what the cause of illness, when people are chronically sick, doctors do not tally the expenses before delivering first-class treatment.

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Albanese gains ground but PM still leads on economy, security, pandemic

The results show the Coalition “losing skin” – but Labor is not necessarily benefiting.

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PENCIL SKETCH FOR THE BEGINNERS

PENCIL SKETCH

" A sketch a day keeps the dullness away. "

This I made with graphite pencils for my students. I used grid methods for this to make my students understand the picture better and with the help of grids they could draw it easily. So I can say the grid method is easy to understand and one can draw portraits as same as the reference pictures.

Thanks and have a nice day ahead,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

Renuka

‘Skills are the new oil’: Why resumes are on the way out

The ‘great resignation’ we saw in the latter half of 2021 is expected to take a different shape in 2022, says Reejig chief executive Siobhan Savage.

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How online shops trick you into buying things you don’t need

As retailers gear up for Boxing Day sales, consumers are being warned to look out for these tactics to protect their bank balances.

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Puzzles take off after the world went to pieces

The jigsaw community grew during lockdown and puzzling may be a habit that sticks after the pandemic ends.

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Santa Claus never came to our house, but that doesn’t make me a bad parent

I never wanted to arrive at a point where I had to admit lying to my children.

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How to host a Zoom Christmas

There are ways to recapture a small sense of joy in virtual catch-ups.

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What you can see on Melbourne stages in 2022

After a dire couple of years, the scene is hopefully set for a more upbeat year.

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Why the wait for the booster shot has been cut

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s co-chair explains why it recommended bringing forward eligibility for COVID booster vaccines to four months from the second dose.

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Mullagh Medal’s complex history shaped Belinda Duarte

Belinda Duarte’s presentation of the Johnny Mullagh Medal at the Boxing Day Test will be an ancestral homecoming of sorts.

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Frozen heartbreak thaws for six-year-old with COVID-19

A Melbourne mother was told her Department of Health text wasn’t proof enough that her daughter had COVID-19 in a headache with Ticketek’s refunds company.

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Finally, there’s more to watch at the MCG than just grass growing

Whether dealing with a well-set batsman, an accurate bowler or the pandemic, patience is the key. Cricket fans know it.

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A quieter COVID Christmas? How to spend the day if you’re on your own

With rising COVID-19 cases, more and more Australians will be without their families. Here are some tips to help you through.

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Fears for hospital system as cases rise and staff availability falls

Victoria’s healthcare system faces a staffing crisis at a critical time when hundreds of staff are in isolation and COVID-19 hospitalisations are on the rise.

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Climate, the far-Left and the devilish problem facing the Greens

Confronting an onslaught from progressive independents, Adam Bandt’s party faces the risk of relevance deprivation.

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Sydney socialite Hollie Nasser’s new headache

After an affair with her A-list former best friend’s husband was exposed recently, Hollie Nasser has a new headache: a corporate drama involving a failed cannabis company linked to her.

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Oh what a Webb they wove, but Hubble’s heir to the universe should be worth the wait

A quarter of a century and $US10 billion later, planet Earth’s best set of eyes on the universe are about to be launched. There’s much at stake.

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How long can prawns linger on the barbie? Truths about food safety

You’ve got a thousand jobs to do before the turkey’s ready and the last thing on your mind is how long the mayo has been out for. Follow these steps for a food-safe feast.

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Nature strip gardening enthusiasm grows, but new guidelines dampen cheer

There are tomatoes on footpaths, perennials on median strips and native wildflowers around trees. But many of these nature strip gardens would not comply with the City of Port Phillip draft guidelines.

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What’s open in Sydney over Christmas and New Year?

If you’re looking for last-minute Christmas gifts, forgotten to get the strawberries for the pavlova, the prawns for New Year’s barbeque or hunting a bargain, here’s a guide to what’s open.

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‘It wasn’t a masterplan’: James Franco admits to sex with his students

Franco has already reached a $US2.2 million settlement for a lawsuit filed by former students who claimed he “sought to create a pipeline of young women”.

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Victoria to issue all frontline police with Tasers

All frontline police officers will be armed with Tasers following a $214 million funding announcement from the state government.

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Christmas rush pushes testing sites to capacity as soon as they open

Victoria recorded 2005 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 10 deaths, and demand for tests is high as Christmas approaches.

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‘You grew up with me’: Mum’s emotional tribute to son lost in Devonport tragedy

The young mother of Zane Mellor has given an emotional tribute to her 12-year-old son, who died in last week’s Devonport jumping castle tragedy.

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‘Almost done’: Elon Musk says he has sold about 10 per cent of his Tesla stake

Tesla shares rallied after chief executive officer Elon Musk said he’s sold enough stock to reach a target of reducing his stake in the carmaker, removing a key overhang on its shares.

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From talent show to a prison cell: beatboxer behind bars

One-time Australia’s Got Talent finalist Genesis Cerezo is facing the prospect of decades in prison, after allegedly sexually abusing a teenage girl over a three-year period.

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QR code check-ins back as state works to secure free rapid antigen tests

QR code check-ins will be reintroduced in retail and hospitality venues as the Omicron variant sweeps NSW, while the state government is working to secure a mass order of rapid antigen tests to be made freely available.

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Ghosts of the past ready to haunt Root again

Significant progress has been made to the MCG pitch since 2017, but it would take a bold Englishman to justify sending in the opposition on a surface that has historically been regarded as a graveyard for bowlers.

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Will Australian golf’s biggest events be played under lights in the future?

The man who helped drive Test cricket’s push for day-night Test matches wants Australian golf to consider shifting its thinking so big events can be played under lights.

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The ‘war for the soul’ of one of Sydney’s top private schools

The community at Shore, whose founders wanted it to be a school “of the highest type”, is unified by tradition and history but divided over its future.

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Why our politicians watch The Great - or need to

Created by Australians, the streaming service smash hit series bills itself as an “occasionally true” take on the history of Catherine the Great, but its essential true messages will be compulsory viewing for those who seek to understand power.

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‘Considerable concern’: Karen Andrews warns of rising threat of extremism

The Home Affairs Minister is pushing to enhance counter-terrorism ties with Indonesia during a visit to Jakarta.

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Create a Victorian summer for your kids to remember

After two years of cancelled plans and disappointed children, let’s clean the slate with a ripper summer of Victorian kid-friendly (and COVID-safe) activities.

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How we landfill our Christmas stockings in this nation of wasters

How did the Australian Christmas take on such a huge environmental footprint?

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Victorian private school price rises are back

Private schools largely froze fees during the pandemic and some even provided refunds for remote learning. But the COVID-19 pause is over.

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UK on edge over Omicron as new COVID-19 cases top 100,000

It is the first time daily infections have passed 100,000 in the UK, adding to the pressure Boris Johnson is facing over whether to impose new restrictions after Christmas.

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RBA’s next big call shapes up as a cliffhanger for economists

Economists are split over the fate of the Reserve Bank’s bond-buying program, and the Omicron variant only adds to the uncertainty.

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‘Not out of the woods yet’: US stocks rise after slump over Omicron, inflation worries

Stocks rose on Wall Street on Tuesday after three days of losses brought on by worries over the spread of the coronavirus variant and lingering concerns about rising inflation.

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Anthony Fauci calls on Fox News to fire TV host

“The guy should be fired on the spot,” the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said after learning the Fox News host encouraged a crowd to ambush him.

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A financial expert’s guide to reining in Christmas spending

Creating a household budget and regifting excess lockdown purchases are a few ideas for ensuring you don’t overspend this festive season.

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Have a good break - this time you’ve more than earned it

A great advantage of living Down Under is that the festive season leads seamlessly to the summer holidays.

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Ghislaine Maxwell trial jury asks to review accusers’ testimony

Jurors asked to re-read the accounts of three women who testified that Maxwell set them up for sexual abuse by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein when they were teens.

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Omicron demands difficult public health decisions, sooner or later

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet must restore discontinued public health measures now or face much harsher choices down the track as Omicron takes hold.

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The expat mothers fighting Malaysia’s ‘sexist’ citizenship laws

“Are Malaysian mothers less Malaysian than Malaysian fathers?” asks the Sultan of Johor. For women whose children were born elsewhere, the answer is still yes.

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‘We still love to browse’: Bricks and mortar stores make post-lockdown comeback

Spending in stores has rebounded since lockdowns, but the pandemic seems to have given online shopping a permanent boost.

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Tribunal takes legal advice, shifts to timesheets after audit of part-time pay

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal is taking legal advice to make sure it is paying its part-time members properly after the audit office found some had received fortnightly payments worth more than 14 days of work.

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McDermott bewildered by England’s ‘atrocious’ bowling tactics

One of Australia’s finest fast bowlers and bowling coaches, Craig McDermott, is confused by how England have got it so wrong.

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Anger as federal cash pledged to Melbourne’s south-east is shelved

Mayors from eight local government areas say the booming region has been abandoned after a City Deal, flagged in the lead-up to the 2019 election to build infrastructure and create jobs, was put on ice.

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Catholic schools ‘open’ to fast-tracking protections for gay students

The head of the National Catholic Education Commission says she is open to pursing a quicker process for addressing concerns about further protections for LGBTQI+ students, rather than waiting for a year-long government review.

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AFL year in review: Buddy’s comeback helps young Swans take flight alongside rising Giants

Footy looked different once again in 2021 - but for the two NSW teams, it was a good kind of different as both Sydney and GWS made swift returns to the finals.

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The world values our artists. Why don’t our leaders?

The neglect of the arts by politicians makes no sense, even in their comfort zone of economic realities and hard figures.

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Builders driven to the wall as material costs go through the roof

The cost of building a home is rising faster in Victoria than anywhere else, and the closure of some leading construction firms has left a glut of projects in limbo.

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Australia’s most searched property locations in 2021

The pandemic may have seen people run to the regions but here’s where buyers are still searching the most.

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The madness and sadness of America

Political correspondent Matthew Knott lived through a tumultuous time in US history.

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Top places in Melbourne to get into the Christmas spirit

Lights, Santa, action: Here’s where you can make the most of Christmas in Melbourne this year.

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Peng Shuai now denies that she made accusation of sexual assault

The Chinse tennis star’s well-being became a matter of concern last month when she appeared to allege that an ex- vice premier had sexually assaulted her in the past.

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‘It’s been a hell of a ride so far’: Postecoglou wins first trophy at Celtic

Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi struck twice for the Scottish giants in a 2-1 comeback victory over Hibernian in the League Cup final.

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Former struggle school stuns with two-year turnaround

Monterey Secondary College was dysfunctional in 2019, but it has enjoyed an astonishing upswing in results after adopting the Berry Street education model.

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The good and the bad of facing a pandemic two years after the rest of the world

As the state prepares to reopen to the world after two years, how much of the negative impacts of the pandemic have we dodged and how much have we simply deferred?

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Commonwealth hires luxury Crown executive jets to do aid work in Pacific

At full commercial rates, Crown’s private executive jets cost $10,000 per hour to operate, prompting questions about the federal government’s decision to use them for aid work.

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‘I have no future yet’: Call to move ex-detainees onto permanent visas

More than 11,000 refugees and asylum seekers who arrived by boat now live in the community on temporary visas, unable to properly plan their lives in Australia.

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Review launched into galleries and museums’ services

Deloitte has been engaged to lead a review of “corporate and common services” across agencies inside the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

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Guzman y Gomez CEO wants to sell Mexican food to Mexicans

The owner of the Aussie-grown burrito chain plans to first conquer the Australian market, then move to the US and eventually Mexico itself.

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Holidays are heaving with health benefits. Be sure to make the most of yours

Time away from the daily grind gives us the space to see what we can’t normally see helping to boost mood and emotional wellbeing.

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‘It works in a way I never thought possible’: Erin Holland on her marriage to Ben Cutting

A few days after their wedding, Holland’s cricket star husband left for India for four months. Here, she opens up about how they navigate their competing schedules.

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The books to devour these holidays

Endless summer days call for a long list of page-turning books.

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The non-surgical paths to glowing skin

From a fix for dullness to a treatment equivalent to 20,000 abdominal crunches, there are plenty of ways to get ahead on your 2022 skin goals.

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One in five restaurant bookings cancelled amid resurgent COVID fears

The hospitality industry is shedding customers amid fears of contracting COVID-19 or being forced into isolation ahead of Christmas.

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We must grieve for five little lives lost

One cannot think of a worse way to finish this terrible year than the deaths of five children, one week before Christmas, in a place where they were meant to be safe.

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Inside the mind of a killer: How Abuzar Sultani became ‘desensitised’ to violence

Sultani rose from a stable and safe upbringing in Sydney to the ringleader of a murder squad that took down three gangland figures.

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No room at the inn: What the Christmas story tells us about our times

At a time when our approach to who gets to come into this country and who doesn’t has become so fraught, Jesus Christ’s place is among those on the margins.

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Schools running mental health programs without evidence they work: study

There were at least 68 different wellbeing programs in operation across NSW primary schools, but many of them had little or no evidence of effectiveness.

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‘Summer of play’: Families book children into vacation care as lockdown antidote

Vacation care will help families through the summer holidays after months of lockdown left parents exhausted and children craving social opportunities.

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Omicron threatens to tip Morrison’s path to victory over a cliff

If the new variant turns out to be a savage one, Morrison’s hopes plunge into the abyss.

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Museum undertook secret DNA testing to end Phar Lap fake heart theory

Several segments of the racehorse’s heart, which have been preserved for almost 90 years, underwent testing earlier this year, but the process was abruptly abandoned.

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A sacred island called Deen Maar and an approaching wind storm

Islands drift at the edge of our knowing, bewitching some of us who catch a glimpse of them. Deen Maar and its path for the dead is one of them.

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‘Is dad dead or alive?’ How the care ran out at a broken St Basil’s

Within a month of COVID-19 taking hold at St Basil’s, 45 of its 117 residents had died. A five-week inquest has heard how the disaster unfolded.

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David Anderson looks to move on from the ABC’s year from hell

Even Aunty’s strongest supporters would admit it has been annus horribilis for the organisation. The ABC’s managing director David Anderson tells a different story.

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Kidman’s made off like a bandit in Hollywood, all without the BMX

The Oscar-winner gingerly took a stroll down memory lane in front of her home crowd, not far from where her career began.

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Sydney is ‘back with a vengeance’ as Melbourne races to catch up

Shoppers, diners, theatre-goers and even some office workers are heading back into the CBD in Melbourne and Sydney, but Sydney looks to be out in front.

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‘This mess will not be over before mid-2024’: Supply chain pain hits retailers

It’s time for investors and consumers to sit up and take notice of the anaemic state of global supply chains, which are likely to get worse before they get better.

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Phar Lap’s heart and the battle to solve the mystery of the horse’s tragic end

Almost 90 years since the death of the 1930 Melbourne Cup winner, the circumstances of the horse’s death remain wrapped in suspicion, mythology and confusion.

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The rise of psychedelic retreats

Even with cause for concern, retreats where people experiment with psychedelic drugs have been popping up in countries like Costa Rica, Jamaica and the US for more than a decade.

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After tornados devastate Trump country, a willingness to set aside politics as Joe Biden visits

As Biden arrived in Mayfield, Kentucky, he came to perhaps the most conservative place he has visited as president, the one where open hostility would be most apparent.

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‘This is just like Groundhog Day’: Omicron wrecks plans for office return

Just as it seemed like corporate America was on a path toward normalcy, a new wave of COVID uncertainty is upending business plans from Wall Street to Silicon Valley.

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Bank of England raises rate in attempt to control inflation

Britain’s central bank surprised markets by becoming the first major central bank to raise rates, despite the economic uncertainty posed by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

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Apple leads tech stocks lower on Wall Street as investors reconsider Fed moves

US technology and internet stocks fell overnight as investors assessed the longer-term implications of the Federal Reserve’s hawkish policy on corporate balance sheets.

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The big name in fashion for 2022 has already been decided

Following just one runway show, designer Jordan Gogos has been crowned the one to watch by Afterpay Australian Fashion Week and the Powerhouse Museum.

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How to prepare your garden for the holidays

Hit the road knowing your hard work won’t go to waste – all it takes is a little preparation.

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Can we manage a sane conversation about our society right now?

We are a country of travellers. We don’t deserve our plans to be derailed by the face-eating machinery of the state. And we want rules that make sense.

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Crime fighting agency to investigate money laundering in pokies

The NSW Crime Commission will use its royal commission-style powers to examine allegations dirty funds are being washed through pokies venues.

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Rehab has not fixed or cured Cameron Munster

The Storm five-eighth has never struggled with football. Like most modern-day footballers, life is the tricky part.

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‘Kids need to find their passion’: Daniel Ricciardo joins drive to engage students

Daniel Ricciardo, among the world’s most popular racing drivers, is about to use his fame to help struggling students stay at school and seek success.

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Swimming pools and surf life-saving clubs net grants in ultra-marginal Corangamite

Tens of millions of dollars in federal government grants have flowed into the marginal seat of Corangamite, seven times more than the neighbouring seat held by deputy Labor leader Richard Marles.

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Tapping the pork barrel: Money flows into key Liberal-held WA seats

Labor hoped to pick up three key Liberal seats at the 2019 election. Then the money flowed under a series of grants for swimming pools, skate parks and chook sheds.

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The City of Perth still has a ‘way to go to rebuild trust of ratepayers’ as revolving door signals staff issues

The suspension of the capital city council was a chance for renewal with new executive staff put in place to lead the way forward, but a year after new councillors were elected four out of four general managers there when they started are all gone.

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Caroline Kennedy nominated as next US ambassador to Australia

The daughter of former president John F. Kennedy will take up her post in the new year.

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Rate rise cap pushes councils to crimp services, cut jobs, report says

A report from a progressive think tank has found that the Victorian Government’s rate cap policy has led to councils replacing the lost revenue with fines and fees.

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Markets Live: CSL drags market lower, Qantas flags $1.1bn loss

The local sharemarket has dipped at the open as biotech giant CSL emerged from its trading halt after a raise to secure Swiss pharma firm Vifor.

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‘One of the doctors told me, that’s enough’: Tearful Aguero retires due to heart condition

The 33-year-old had heart tests after leaving the field, holding his chest, during Barcelona’s match against Alaves in October.

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The Omicron variant is chipping away at worldwide air travel

Just as global air traffic appeared to be getting closer to pre-pandemic levels, the new coronavirus strain has grounded planes once more, stalling the recovery.

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German police raid anti-vaxxers, foil plot to murder premier of Saxony

The plot to kill Michael Kretschmer is the latest in a series of incidents that underscore the anger of some Germans over restrictions on the unvaccinated.

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Succession is giving the corporate bro wardrobe an update

Stealth wealth fabrics and subtle details are replacing power ties and pin stripes. Baseball caps are optional.

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Mind the gap: what we should do about NAPLAN’s worrying report card

Closing learning gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students must remain the top priority for Australian educators. There are three things we should focus on.

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Incompetence of NSW Electoral Commission a risk to our democracy

The well-funded NSW Electoral Commission should be overhauled after chaotic local government elections which left many candidates, voters and volunteers scratching their heads.

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Cummins’ successful start mixes a deft touch with in-depth knowledge

Only a couple of weeks into his captaincy, Pat Cummins is showing a capacity to worry only about what he needs to.

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Fundraising anti-vax lawyer asks clients, supporters to stop asking for refunds

A lawyer who collected more than $654,000 for various legal challenges to COVID-19 vaccine mandates has asked supporters to stop making complaints after the money was seized by the legal watchdog.

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Things to consider when weighing up a change to your course preferences

If you're thinking about changing your mind, there are a few things to consider.

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Tertiary Entrance Guide 2021: Tertiary selection for school leavers

How do universities select students?

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Tapping the pork barrel: How the Yarra divides millions in grants

The Yarra River has become a dividing line between the Labor and Liberal parties. It is also a dividing line between which seats get grants and those that don’t.

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Tapping the pork barrel: Millions poured into key western Sydney seat

Lindsay was the only Labor seat in NSW won by the Liberal Party at the 2019 election. It received $23.1m in grants while three nearby Labor seats shared $6m.

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How to review your business costs to avoid an EFTPOS hangover

The nation’s small to medium-sized businesses are being reminded about the importance of reviewing overheads and business costs to avoid a new year spending hangover.

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US stocks fall after jump in producer prices fuels inflation concerns

Stocks fell in afternoon trading on Wall Street as traders took in the latest sign that inflation in the world’s largest economy is still running high ahead of the Federal Reserve’s last interest rate decision of the year.

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SA wouldn’t accept dying teenager after misdiagnosis ‘muddied water’

An inquest into the death of teenager Alex Braes has heard he was left stranded at Broken Hill because of a trouble-plagued transfer system with South Australia.

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Vaccination will continue to protect us, despite threat of Omicron

Omicron is a genuine concern but with our high vaccination rates - combined with sensible behaviour - there is no need to stray from the path towards the new normal.

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You’re the voice: influx of independents puts Liberals on edge

Liberal incumbents are trying to defuse what they know is a threat as an assortment of power women have announced their independent candidacies in the next federal election.

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‘We have a huge opportunity’: A-Leagues finalises $140m equity sale

The organisation is set to invest in marquee players, the women’s game and youth football after selling a 33 per cent stake in the competition to US private equity firm Silver Lake.

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I was unhappy. Here’s how I started peeling away my layers of anger

More than 20 months of the pandemic took its toll on me: I began to see I was turning into a meme-level caricature of a joyless, angry person I didn’t want to be.

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Wife of US spy who fled UK to face English court over death of Harry Dunn

Dunn’s supporters hailed the breakthrough and said it was the first time the US had made such a concession in agreeing for one of their diplomats to face justice abroad.

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Real life independents are rocking a Rachel Griffiths vibe

In Total Control, Griffith’s character get to choose the kind of conservative woman she wants to be.

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The dark side of China’s breakthrough on digital currencies

It would be entirely consistent for Beijing to use its monopoly control of the digital yuan as another layer in its “techno authoritarianism” for use at home and abroad.

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I have never met Julian Assange and I presume I would not like him, but he’s entitled to justice

Imagine a sliding door moment, and it was not Assange but you who was in court in Britain.

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Independents more likely to hurt Labor and Greens than Liberals

It has become rhythmic: another Saturday morning, another so-called “independent” candidate has spontaneously announced their preparedness to contest yet another Liberal-held seat at the next federal election.

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Vaccination is a marathon not a sprint: Why Australia needs to drive booster uptake

Booster uptake is every bit as critical as anything that’s come before in this pandemic.

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As starvation looms in Afghanistan, Australia must not hinder aid

International sanctions against the Taliban have made it difficult to get funds into the country since the group took power in August.

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Expanding home care is risky without a workforce plan

The federal government has dramatically expanded home care for older Australians, but poor-quality care will remain a hidden problem if the workforce remains undervalued, underqualified and insecure.

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Is Albanese running a small-target strategy or simply all at sea?

If Labor doesn’t know what problems the Coalition has failed to address, how will voters work it out?

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‘Cosmetic surgeon’ title under review as states crack down on cowboys

The federal and state governments have launched a landmark review aimed at overhauling laws into who can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon, increasing the penalties for deceptive advertising and social media abuses.

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‘High speeds, sharp curves’ contribute to cracked trams: Spanish builder

Internal government emails reveal questions were raised over the standard of the inner west light rail track in the days after the service was suspended.

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Why Australian rugby’s razor gang must cut with care

Australian rugby needs to be wary of a death by a thousand cuts.

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‘He’s a superstar’: Jake Paul on Kambosos, Quade and changing boxing

There is a long line of people who would like to see the YouTuber-turned-professional fighter get his head punched in - but Jake Paul has found a way to monetise the hate.

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‘Issue-by-issue’: Independents not committing to either major party

Voters will be asked to trust a growing field of independent candidates to decide who forms government if there’s a hung Parliament after the federal election, with prominent challengers declining to say whether they would back Labor or the Liberals.

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Businesses may face battle to woo skilled migrants

Australians businesses are banking on the reopening of the international border to fill skilled job vacancies, but new data suggests it may not be that easy.

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Major disruption: City Loop to shut down for long-overdue safety fix

Parts of the Parliament station and Flagstaff Gardens have been cordoned off for stalled safety works after the contractor went broke three years ago.

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‘What’s an avocado?’: Localising NAPLAN questions lifts scores

More than 1100 students from 20 schools in Dubbo in Central Western NSW were involved in a randomised control trial in which half the test papers were changed to replace unfamiliar references with more culturally appropriate ones.

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On duty for 16 hours, paid for three: Former students’ underpayment claim

A group of former university students are preparing to launch a class action against student accommodation provider Unilodge Australia for the alleged underpayment of their wages.

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Want to snap up some art for less than $10,000? Here’s your chance

The Affordable Art Fair is one of the art market’s most successful modern innovations - and it’s making a timely return to Melbourne and Sydney.

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Pandemic has increased inequality, and governments must take note

The pandemic has forced Australians to see the great divide between the haves and have-nots in our society. And many Australians want change.

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China looms large as South Korea uses visit to seek Australia’s help

Amid fears Asia’s fourth-largest economy is being left behind by the members of the Quad, South Korea’s President will look to lock in US support via Australia.

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‘Kingmakers’ flag no deals, tougher action on climate and ICAC in hung Parliament

Four federal crossbench MPs could hold the key to minority government after the next poll. And they’re ready to put Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese on notice.

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The Sex and the City reboot was awful, and yes I will keep watching

And just like that, they’ve undone so much that was right about the original series. In the ’90s, Sex and the City showed single women cavorting against social expectations. Can’t we have some more of that now they are over 50?

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26 years ago, dressed as Superman, Cole Leighton became the face of the third runway

“Everything would vibrate, the windows, bed, everything, the whole house would shake.”

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Hunt’s exit opens up the fight for Flinders

The Liberal Party has lost the advantage of incumbency in Flinders. So, what do voters want from Greg Hunt’s replacement?

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Forty years since Sydney ‘spunks’ and ‘surfie molls’ hit our screens, have we evolved?

As a teenager, the Herald asked me to review the film Puberty Blues, based on the groundbreaking and shocking novel about Sydney teenage surf culture, drug-taking and misogyny. What has changed since for young women?

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