While a semi-aquatic resident gets brassed off.

Joe Root and England suffered some heavy blows on day four. Now they are on the verge of defeat in the second Ashes Test.

It will take a dramatic form reversal by England’s bedraggled middle order today to prevent the Australians from completing a significant win and taking a 2-0 lead to the MCG.

Nearly every Ashes series in Australia follows the same template. It’s reassuring for Australia, a recurring nightmare for England.

The pandemic has made us slaves to omnipresent technology. No wonder we’re exhausted.

Annette and Bob Simpson, aged 82 and 86, wanted to protect themselves from catching the COVID-19 from family members over Christmas.

Storm prop Tui Kamikamica has become the latest player to be stood down under the NRL’s ‘no fault’ policy.

A coalition representing Sydney’s Arab community and others has called on patrons and performers to boycott January’s event.

There is a growing call for the immediate reinstatement of face masks in all indoor settings and a rethink on crowd numbers in bars and at the Boxing Day Test, to stem a potential massive spike in COVID-19 cases.

Boxing Day is going to be almost as hot, with 41C the Bureau of Meterology predicting a maximum of 41C and a minimum of 27C, with no sea breeze.

There’s been a narrative that Omicron may be milder than previous strains. But scientists say they don’t actually know this yet. And even if it is, we could still be facing a big problem for the health system.

The NRL’s new free-to-air deal with Nine will take its total broadcast revenue to over $400m per year until 2027 - a good result, analysts say, after a year when blow-outs and mismatches became more frequent.

Four ministers will be responsible for the NSW roads and transport network after Premier Dominic Perrottet split up the portfolios citing the need for more accountability of the state’s massive infrastructure pipeline.

Omicron has added a layer of anxiety to the festive season. Here’s how to make Christmas a super spread, not a super-spreading event.

Sue Cobham, 68, died and another two women, aged 71 and 19, were injured when a large tree and powerlines fell in a car park in Narrabeen.

Melbourne nurse who was sent to prison after he helped Syrian rebels faces string of new federal charges including allegations he broke a court order to access social media sites.

Keen on comedians poking fun at the Liberals, your home state or just listening to more F-bombs than a CFMEU rally? Then Ebsworth Tonight is the Perth show to catch on Christmas Eve.

The AFL Commission has approved a raft of recommendations for the match review and tribunal guidelines to be implemented for season 2022.

Australians may soon have to get a third dose to be considered fully vaccinated, as an expert taskforce weighs the evidence on the Omicron variant’s ability to evade vaccines and state governments push for earlier boosters.

Nearly five months after he landed his maiden win at home, exciting Tamworth three-year-old Ezekeil returns to racing at Tuesday’s feature Scone meeting.

All you need to know to back a winner as racing heads up the New England Highway.

At 35, Gabriel Boric will be the second youngest country leader when he takes over in March.

Bianca Tarrant and Dave McGiveron didn’t know what to do when the bushfires destroyed their property in 2019. Now, they’re the proud founders of meat subscription company Our Cow.

The long-term agreement will ensure NRL remains on the screens of its current free-to-air broadcast partner after months of negotiations.

The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by our picture editors

Emily St John Mandel’s pandemic drama Station Eleven, published back in 2014, is a chilling but unexpectedly uplifting tale for our times.

Shares in beleaguered fund manager Magellan tumbled 33 per cent after it lost a key contract with its biggest client, sparking fresh concern among investors.

Eight months after Craig Kelly sold his Sutherland Shire home, the United Australia party leader has bought a home for his wife and children on the Central Coast but says he’ll live in Menai.

Lawyers for Shane Bazzi, who was found to have defamed the Defence Minister in a six-word tweet, have filed a notice of appeal in the Federal Court.

The selection focus will centre on Marcus Harris and Josh Hazlewood as Australia aim to retain the urn in Melbourne.

Infectious diseases experts have urged Australia to reintroduce masks in indoor settings, as the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads across the globe. Meanwhile, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has unveiled his new cabinet.

The NSW Government will not reintroduce crowd restrictions for the SCG Test or Big Bash matches despite ballooning infection numbers.

Fertiliser giant Incitec Pivot has struck a deal with the federal government to work on raising production of a key ingredient for the diesel additive AdBlue.

Rafael Nadal cannot guarantee he will make the trip to Melbourne for next month’s Australian Open after returning to action at an exhibition match in Abu Dhabi.

As the death toll in the Philippines climbed to more than 200, a rescue effort has continued in Malaysia, where thousands have been left stranded by flooding.

Security is expected to be ramped up at the WA Supreme Court today when a former soldier who confessed to executing Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex is sentenced.

It’s a long time since we’ve been treated to the Oscar winner’s sunny side - and it’s nowhere to be seen in this uninspired remake.

Honestly, the Bernie Sanders mitten thing feels like 10 years ago.

Victorians are forking out thousands for local holidays to avoid the risks of interstate and overseas travel.

The performers from the Australian Tap Dance Company rarely draw breath for nearly an hour.

Forty years ago, vandals left a scene of devastation at Footscray library. It was the second time in a year that the library had been the target of wanton destruction.

The “really incredible” deal Trump signed with his “very, very good friend” Xi Jinping has turned out to be rather one-sided and, for the US, self-destructive.

Today on Please Explain, North America correspondent Matthew Knott joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss his time as a foreign correspondent.

Bold briefs and minimalist board shorts from local designers are elevating beach style this summer.

The city recorded its lowest ever turnout on Sunday, as pro-democracy Hongkongers used the free transport on election day for a day off.

The AFL has confirmed a round of practice and community series matches heading into the 2022 home-and-away season.

Brisbane has finished the year as Australia’s fastest-growing property market, with property prices continuing to rise as Sydney and Melbourne’s markets are slowing down.

Emma Wright brings one of Shakespeare’s finest creations to fizzing life.

A COVID-19 cluster involving the Omicron variant is being tracked from a Brisbane university graduation ceremony attended by more than 2600 people.

Queensland has seen another jump in its COVID numbers, with health authorities warning it will keep going up, and urging those eligible to get their booster shot.