Daily Telegraph News & Politics

Novak Djokovic’s appeal against the second cancellation of his Visa is underway following an initial directions hearing before the same judge that quashed his last visa cancellation. It’s Sydney’s “war of the roses” – and the ongoing marital battle ­between Sam and Phoebe Burgess shows no signs of peace. Pregnant women are increasingly turning to emer­gency caesareans to save their babies and themselves from the ravages of Covid. And they are the suburbs where property values didn’t ­explode last year and home seekers can get cheaper prices than in neighbouring areas. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children deemed “high risk” under an outdated risk matrix from the state government are being forced to take daily rapid antigen tests to enter daycare because centres and parents can’t keep up with the rapidly changing advice. A fight has erupted over the delays in the federal government’s decision on whether to cancel Novak Djokovic’s visa, as the deadline over his fate looms.  Kids are waiting up to a year to get critical mental health treatment because of a nationwide shortage of child psychologists. And in sport, Scott Boland is headed for a six-figure pay rise, with further evidence Australia now considers him a highly prized member of its attack. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Battered and bruised from a two-day kidnap ordeal, Western Sydney man Omar Elomar was returned to his mansion yesterday ­following a rumoured $3 million ransom payment.  Novak Djokovic’s bid to remain in Australia has taken a hit after the world No.1 admitted to lying on his entry form and attending an interview while knowing he was Covid positive.  International students will be allowed to work additional hours and JobSeeker recipients are being considered to fill gaps in Australia’s hardest-hit industries as the commonwealth scrambles to tackle the supply chain and workforce shortage crisis that is  gripping Australia. And in sport, kindred spirits Usman Khawaja and David Warner are set to be reunited as Australia’s new opening pairing, 28 years after they first threw balls together as children. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The extreme environmental protest group which blocked coal trains in the Hunter last year, causing delays to millions of dollars worth of shipments, has issued a chilling pledge to “do that tenfold” to ­Sydney’s CBD.  Dire stock shortages are no longer limited to fresh food, with Covid-infected delivery drivers and international shipping disruptions wiping NSW supermarket shelves clear of everything from pet food and Panadol to couches and cars. Rapid antigen tests could be given out to parents at schools and people could be able to pay for a certain number of tests with a Dine & Discover-style voucher under plans being considered by the state government.  And the federal government has flagged it could target Novak Djokovic for providing false information on his entry form into the country.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Novak Djokovic was dramatically freed from immigration detention last night after a court slammed his “unreasonable” visa cancellation, but a red-faced federal government sensationally flagged another attempt to deport him.  A “style” guide was part of a $754,000 spend of taxpayer money over two years on NSW government branding, including templates and even a change to the official font used by government departments. A shortage of rapid antigen tests  is looming as a significant and costly hurdle for businesses looking to get essential workers back on the job if someone in their household tests positive to Covid-19. And in sport, Nick Kyrgios is racing the clock to be fit for the Australian Open after testing positive for Covid-19 at the worst possible time.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A serial rapist has allegedly offended again by sexually touching a young woman in an apartment block lift, but his identity is being kept from the public because a judge previously found naming him could interfere with his “rehabilitation”. Droves of young children will roll up their sleeves for their Covid-19 jab on Monday, while Premier Dominic Perrottet has repeated his promise to reopen schools on the first day of term 1. Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has broken his silence about the contentious medical exemptions that saw Novak Djokovic’s visa cancelled claiming officials gave conflicting advice daily.  And in sport, Sydney Thunder all-rounder Daniel Sams said he would “be lying” if the prospect of a first century didn’t flash before him during his incredible innings of 98 against Melbourne Renegades on Saturday night. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info

The state Government will double its order of 50 million rapid antigen tests for distribution to essential workers in the public workforce and vulnerable communities. Shocking details have emerged of Novak Djokovic’s night of torment when he was taken into custody by Australian Border Force officers amid allegations he was pressured into accepting a notice before he could contact his legal team or Tennis Australia officials. Police will reapply for some of the toughest crime orders on members of the Hamzy and Alameddine families in light of the gang war exploding again this week with the slaying of Ghassan Amoun. And first-home buyers will have an easier path to ownership in 2022 due to a softening housing market and many are  eyeing regional areas and outer Sydney suburbs to get their slice of the Aussie dream. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID patients will no longer be kept in segregated wards and surgical staff will wear full protective gear permanently as at least three major hospitals move onto a “war footing” similar to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Police are investigating whether a rival crime syndicate used the war ­between the Hamzy and Alameddine crime clans as a cover to murder gangster Ghassan Amoun. Leaked documents have revealed Tennis Australia wrongly — and knowingly — told the world’s best tennis players, including Novak Djokovic, how they could play in the first grand slam of the year, even if they were unvaccinated. Meantime - detained world number one DJOKOVIC has reportedly asked for his personal chef to cook for him in his quarantine hotel. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Novak Djokovic will spend four nights locked in immigration detention amid a fiery legal stoush over whether the unvaccinated star can enter Australia. Rafael Nadal has sent a none-too-subtle message to great rival and world No.1 Novak Djokovic, saying he could have avoided all his troubles if he was vaccinated. Hamzy family crime boss Ghassan Amoun had been repeatedly warned that he was a dead man walking but he may not have expected that moment to come as he left a beauty salon on Thursday afternoon. And Sydney’s current wave of Covid-19 is shaping as  comparable to our  worst flu season in 2017. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six million eligible Australians will get free rapid antigen tests as Prime Minister Scott Morrison overhauled the country’s testing regime while still refusing to bow down to calls that they should be free for everyone.  Tennis legend Rod Laver says he understands Aussie anger over Novak Djokovic being allowed to compete in the Australian Open, urging the nine-time champion to come clean on why he was granted a vaccination exemption. The Daily Telegraph can reveal detectives investigating the disappearance of little William Tyrrell are conducting a fresh round of interviews. And in sport, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has declared that Covid will not stop the NRL season from kicking off in March and  that 30,000 rapid antigen test kits are rugby league’s weapon in the fight against the virus.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Billboards and mobile phone alerts brandishing the state government’s new testing rules were rolled out last night under a major campaign to keep citizens away from swamped testing clinics. Sydney property prices jumped an extraordinary 25 per cent during 2021 – ­capping off an incredible year that also saw the highest number of sales on record in Australia. A teenage tradie who enjoys a life of slick cars and designer clothes was reduced to taking out the trash at his parents’ place yesterday after being charged with allegedly living a double life as a drug dealer.  And in sport, today marks Sydney’s pink-powered return to the crease as a world-class city – and no plague or deluge is going to stand in our way. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A diplomatic investigation is under way after two police security cars crashed as Australia’s High Commissioner to London George Brandis tried to catch up to and join the Prime Minister’s official motorcade at the Glasgow COP26 climate summit. Genomic sequencing of the sickest Covid-19 patients in NSW has found that 74 per cent of them have the Delta strain despite Omicron rapidly becoming the dominant variant in the state. Outdoor venues are proving to be an island of prosperity in an otherwise bleak hospitality landscape. And in sport, an emotion-charged Sam Stosur will approach this year’s Australian Open as if it’s her last – not only in singles but almost certainly also in doubles. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 A significant proportion of people classified as Covid-19 hospitalisations in NSW are in reality being admitted for other illnesses or injuries but happen to also have the virus.   Tourism experts have declared Sydney will be the beneficiary of less interstate travel this January....  A Court's decision to allow an accused drug dealer “back on the streets” a day after he was allegedly caught with 50 MDMA pills at a music festival has been slammed by a state cabinet minister.  The Bachelorette is now one of the worst performing reality TV “love” shows in the world, clocking up yet another failed romance after a season of dismal ratings.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Doctors and nurses from Sydney hospitals plunged into the nightmare of the Delta outbreak have opened up to the sunday telegraph....revealing the truth of that deadly wave, and how it has made them better prepared for the threat of Omicron.  Travel between Sydney and Newcastle would be slashed to just 45 minutes under a Labor proposal for a high-speed rail line to be unveiled by Anthony Albanese today.  The Australian Federal Police and Cricket Australia are reviewing claims a teenage representative player was sexually assaulted in the 1980s.   It's been almost four years since the tragic suicide of 14-year-old Dolly Everett, For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former NRL star Frank Pritchard is battling the effects of Covid and could be put in an induced comaWITH an enormous fire-burst of light, Sydney welcomed 2022 with a simple message – it’s time to shine.AUSTRALIA has been warned Covid cases could hit six figures a day, as the prime minister backflipped on a testing rule just 24 hours after it was announced.A red-hot market hasn’t stopped homeowners splashing out over the Christmas/New Year break.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has declared he is disgusted and appalled by the actions of Indigenous activists chanting “let it burn” as flames engulfed the entrance to Old Parliament House in Canberra. THE end of 2021 can’t come soon enough for most Sydneysiders and although there might be people out and about tonight, the famed Harbour fireworks will see off the year with a bang as big as ever. A reopened Australian economy where people get back to spending money on items like travel and restaurants rather than saving is likely to slow the property market’s booming growth. Josh Hazlewood has been empowered to decide whether he returns at the SCG, which could force magic man Scott Boland out of the Test team, 10 days after receiving his baggy green from Hazlewood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following an astounding 11,201 daily cases, Premier Dominic Perrottet has drawn a line in the sand – this is life with Covid and NSW will not go back.NEW Transport Minister David Elliott will push for a stripped-back January train timetable amid plummeting passengers and rising cases of Covid-19 among workers.There are still hotel rooms avaliable to enjoy a Covidsafe view of Friday’s spectacular Sydney But you will have to pay top dollar.THE Sydney Cricket Ground deck that angered Australia last year could become Scott Boland’s friend as the magic man fights to extend his Ashes fairytale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney’s toll roads will once again ramp up their prices on January 1. A THREE-year-old boy who drowned in Lake Macquarie on Christmas Day has been remembered by his family as “our little angel”.INDUSTRY figures across the hospitality and retail sectors have called for isolation requirements for staff deemed close contacts For England to lose the Ashes two hours shy of the scheduled halfway point of the series has been described as a complete embarrassment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard has slammed Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s decision to hold off on removing “tourism testing” requirements until the new year as “passive aggressive stupidity”.SYDNEY to Hobart supermaxis trio Black Jack, LawConnect and Scallywag have managed to dodge the dramas which have sent more than a third of the fleet to the sidelines to remain on track for a Tuesday finish to one of the most punishing races in recent memory.CASH-strapped adult children dreaming of home ownership are increasingly relying on the “bank of mum and dad”, leading to a concerning spike in ­financial elder abuse.SYDNEY’S iconic New Year’s Test could be saved at the 11th hour by NSW  Health officials loosening their strict quarantine measures – or even granting cricketers who are deemed close contacts exemptions from seven days in mandatory lockdown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only a handful of Covid-19 cases in intensive care are believed to be infected with the dominant Omicron strain, with NSW Health revealing they believe it is Delta that is putting people in hospital. Rising Covid numbers were not enough to put off Sydney’s bargain hunters on Boxing Day with thousands hitting the shops for some retail therapy. Two people including a toddler are dead and two more are missing in four separate incidents following a horror Christmas Day on the state’s waterways.  And anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu has died at the age of 90. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.