Babylonian promises for the new year.

Next week’s Melbourne BBL derby has been plunged into uncertainty after a positive COVID-19 case in the Stars’ camp forced the postponement of Thursday’s game against Perth Scorchers.

World No.4 isn’t worried about the prospect of playing singles and doubles in the same day, tipping a Greece clean sweep against Poland to start the tournament on Saturday.

David Boon and England coach Chris Silverwood were the latest from the Ashes circuit to test positive for COVID-19, as Cricket Australia went to great lengths to shield their players from the outbreak in the visitors’ camp.

As the city rings in 2022, pleasant conditions are expected with the temperature to be in the low 20s at the stroke of midnight. 

If you need prawns for the New Year’s Eve barbeque or are just looking for a bargain, fear not, here’s a guide to what’s open over the new year period.

What do we know about the British socialite convicted of sex trafficking? What were the charges brought against her? What happened in the trial?

Federal politicians have criticised protesters after a fire damaged the 100-year-old front doors of Old Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.

Members of the Afghan women’s national team were forced to flee their homes after the fall of Kabul but they are back on the pitch in Australia, aspiring to turn professional.

Darcy Vescio’s post was widely celebrated as making gender-diverse people inside and outside sport feel safer to discuss their identity.

Some of our best photos of the year and top stories by The Age photographers 2021, the year in pictures.

The government is offering a $30 million grant scheme after the event industry claimed the shutting down of music festivals has resulted in a loss of more than $26.5 million as a result of 250 events being cancelled.

National cabinet has agreed to a new definition of a COVID-19 close contact to mean someone who has been with a confirmed case for more than four hours within a household-like setting.

The rules kept changing, and festival-goers - including one with COVID-19 - claim safety breaches and a communication breakdown put the community at risk.

If – like about 50,000 people in NSW since Christmas – you test positive to COVID-19, this is what the experts say you should do next.

The NSW president of the Australian Medical Association says hospitalisation and ICU figures do not show the full impact of the virus on our health system.

Some Sydneysiders needing to take a test have been relying on social media to find locations that are not overwhelmed and shops with rapid antigen tests in stock.

Large-scale New Year’s events are forging ahead despite coronavirus fears and revellers abandoning their plans in droves.

Newgate Farm can take a bow when it comes to the number of their stallions included by the major sale companies in Book 1 offerings in 2022, starting with the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale on January 11.

The Golden Slipper-winning trainer has a word of warning over his smart juvenile Fireburn on the Kensington track.

The jockey missed a chance to ride in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle after a freak accident. He’s planning on making up for lost time and showing he belongs in Sydney.

Everything you need to know to finish the year on a winner.

An expression of interest form for businesses suggests the government will reimburse businesses that give up tests they have already purchased for use in NSW’s free program.

Paul Smith said he was working with the league to get on with business as the season stands on a knife’s edge.

Again and again throughout 2021, city authorities and the central government in Beijing stamped out nearly everything the pro-democracy movement had stood for.

One of the modern legends of tennis, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, is Australia-bound and on track to try to add to his 20 major titles at next month’s Australian Open.

Fortunately Irish playwright Conor McPherson didn’t say no when the idea was pitched by Dylan’s agents. Girl from the North Country, which has attracted rave reviews and standing ovations overseas, is set to open at Sydney Festival.

The gangs-focused Raptor Squad allegedly seized $1 million worth of drugs and a pistol after stopping and searching the two men.

Maxwell’s conviction is significant and sends a sobering signal to other enablers that they can and will be held accountable.

A large fire has engulfed a property at a marine workshop that has spread to a neighbouring property at Fern Bay in Sydney’s inner west.

Experts have predicted Queensland will report up to 12,000 cases by January 5.

The world No.1 gave no reason for his withdrawal from the ATP Cup when he told his Serbian teammates, who are in the dark regarding his plans this summer.

Premier Mark McGowan said an unvaccinated 27-year-old man was a close contact of an existing case, who shared a bathroom with him.

Thousands of police officers will patrol the state this New Year’s Eve, and some will have extra search powers to target anyone carrying weapons.

Many of the harbour’s best viewing areas are ticketed this year, but there are still plenty of spots for the early birds who are prepared to line up.

Constantly shifting rules have led to accusations that leaders craft policies around business and political prerogatives rather than public health priorities.

Heading out over the New Year period? Here’s the most up-to-date information on where you can go, what you can do – and how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

There’s no lockdown, no density limits, restaurants are open and tickets to fireworks zones in the city are sold out. Yet some Victorians are living by their own restrictions for New Year’s Eve and beyond.

Josh Green has impressed coach and NBA great Jason Kidd with his passing after a 10-assist game against Portland.

It is reasonable in the current climate to redefine isolation and quarantine rules. However, this is not a signal to “let loose”.

Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed spinner Mitch Swepson is a genuine chance to make his debut in Sydney, but faces some hard conversations after Scott Boland’s outstanding Test debut.

Travellers arriving in Sydney would only be required to take a rapid antigen test, under changes agreed to at national cabinet today.

The self-styled Queen of Honky Tonk is a huge, maddening, unpredictable and fascinating character, as seen in the documentary I’m Wanita.

Western Sydney’s clash with Western United on New Year’s Day is set to be called off due to a spike in COVID cases, making it the 10th postponement of the season.

Leading economists are confident Australia can continue recovering from the pandemic despite rising case numbers, provided state and territory leaders do not impose further lockdowns.

On our annual day of regret and resolution, there are some things I’d like to tell myself.

The star of 24 and Designated Survivor is about to release his third album.

The lack of meaningful emissions-reduction targets by both major parties indicates that future generations will be locked into climate warming above 1.5 degrees.

Hopes of finding a woman who was swept off rocks near a coastal walk in Victoria’s south coast were fading on Thursday night after more than eight hours of fruitless searching.

Investors are primed for the US dollar to climb next year. But the juiciest trades may be over even before 2021 ends.