Amid the flames, a road to Damascus moment

Jack was a firefighter deployed to Cann River in eastern Victoria during the fires of December 2019. On New Year’s Eve he and his crew found themselves trapped.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

The celebrity the Howard government didn’t want you to see

The Howard government grappled with the controversial visa application of rapper Eminem but while not many men could stop boxer Mike Tyson, the then prime minister managed it.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

How to have a great Victorian summer after ... everything

Pull yourself away from doomscrolling headlines and head outdoors - there are plenty of people determined to make the most of the summer.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

The World ahead: the crucial challenges on every continent in 2022

This decade shows no sign of calming down yet. From vaccination to elections to the Olympics, our correspondents highlight the big news issues of the year.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Family reunions ‘shattered’ because foreign parents had wrong vaccines

Many Australians planned for their overseas-based parents to visit for the holiday season, only to find them turned away because they were dosed with Russian or Chinese vaccines.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Fears US position on climate change would stop global efforts

The previously secret cabinet documents also show concerns that Australia’s high per capita greenhouse gas emissions could be exposed by global debate on climate action.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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?”

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

‘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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

Australia’s five biggest worries in 2021

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

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

‘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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

‘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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

‘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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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?

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

‘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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

‘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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More

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.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
Read More