Morning Edition
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Live Well Newsletter
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition.
Budget 2021: What we already know
From childcare subsidies to a response to the aged care royal commission, here are the measures we know are coming in Tuesday’s federal budget.
Opinion
Super Rugby
Was the Super Rugby final the most significant provincial game in Australian rugby history?
Many a facile word is spoken in commentary but Tim Horan’s observation after Queensland’s thrilling win that “rugby is back” was on the money.
Wayne Smith
Breaking
de Belin trial
Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair found not guilty of sexual assault
A jury acquitted the footballers of one charge, relating to assaulting a woman in a Wollongong unit in December 2018, but was not able to reach a verdict on remaining charges.
Several injured in stabbing attack at NZ supermarket
One person was taken into custody after at least four people were injured - three critically - in Dunedin.
Japan PM says he ‘never put Olympics first’ as polls show 60% want Games cancelled
International Olympic officials, Tokyo planners and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga himself have insisted the Games will go on in “a safe and secure” way.
Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain to come for parts of Queensland
Severe thunderstorms with large hail and damaging winds have been predicted for south-east Queensland and the northern parts of the state over the coming days.
Updated
AFL 2021
‘He has this nasty streak’: Koch hits back at Eddie McGuire in AFL feud
After ex-Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said Port’s David Koch was “sticking his nose into AFL territory”, Koch has returned fire.
Exclusive
University
China-backed Confucius Institutes face closure under veto laws
The University of Queensland is among at least four unis to register Confucius Institute contracts under new foreign veto scheme.
Opinion
Interest rates
The Fed, and Elon Musk, sound the alarm bells on financial markets
The fact that Elon Musk could send the value of a cryptocurrency plummeting after a joke on Saturday Night Live tells you a lot about the state of financial markets.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
EU has not ordered AstraZeneca vaccines beyond June
The Commission launched legal action against AstraZeneca for not respecting its contract for the supply of vaccines and for not having a plan to ensure timely deliveries.
Opinion
Federal budget
Years of neglect won’t make it easy to get wages up
As the migrant tap to fill labour shortages is temporarily closed, business’ neglect of investment in training and technical skills has been highlighted.
Ross Gittins
Economics Editor
Neanderthals weren’t cannibals but were eaten by giant hyenas
A discovery in Italy has disproved macabre theories that Neanderthals indulged in ritual cannibalism – instead pointing to the prospect that they were eaten by giant hyenas.
When it comes to passwords, complex is not always safer
Companies that force workers to create complicated passwords could actually be weakening their data security, Queensland researchers have found.
Crossing Japan’s ‘insane’ bridge into the sky
When viewed from the right angle, the “betabumi-zaka” ramp for the Eshima Ohashi Bridge looks like it’s shooting straight up into the sky.
How cool? ‘Sixty thousand years cool’
These two rappers have the kind of story that says everything about modern Australia.
New Body of Work: Hannah Gadsby announces live show
The tour announcement is a sign Australia’s live comedy circuit is beginning to bounce back.
Miss Line of Duty? Ten great cop shows you need to watch
From tough British crime dramas to Scandi noir, this is our guide to the very best badge-and-gun series of all time.
Queensland
30,000 people move to Qld, sparking calls for bigger slice of GST pie
As the state sees its biggest population boom in 16 years, Treasurer Cameron Dick has called on the Morrison government “to support Queensland with investment in the budget”.
Exclusive
Arts
Black Summer fire ban fallout put Brisbane Festival in audit office’s sights
The government-owned organisation insists it remains debt free after ticket refunds and a secret settlement for 2019’s cancelled Fire Gardens and a recent auditor note about its financial position.
Protesters demand 3600-unit wetlands project be sent back to drawing board
Conservationists and residents say the Toondah Harbour development above Cleveland wetlands should be called in as it now varies markedly from the initial plan.
Police arrest driver who allegedly knocked cop off his motorbike
A man has been arrested after he allegedly knocked a police sergeant off his motorcycle south of Brisbane.
Three men arrested as police break up alleged drug ring
The trio will face court after police found steroids, cocaine and other drugs during raids in Brisbane and Bundaberg.
Politics
Explainer
Federal budget
How does the federal budget work – and how is it different from yours?
What is a federal budget trying to do? How does the government decide where to spend its money? And where did budget rituals such as " the lock-up" come from?
Business
Cookie crumbles for third-party tracking
Australian businesses are grappling with the shift to a cookie-free world as Google and Apple move to block third-party cookies.
World
Eyeing Indian outbreak, Africa ramps up monitoring of coronavirus variants
The slow vaccine rollout has made Africa’s hunt for new variants, which tend to emerge where spread goes unchecked, more urgent.
Opinion
Little has gone right for the Morrison, but it’s not clear much has gone badly wrong
Sean Kelly
Columnist and former adviser to Labor prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
Explore
Property bydomain
Could tiny homes help with the housing affordability crisis?
As house prices spiral, there's a push to create small villages of tiny homes to help young people. But would it make the problem worse?
'The market is coming of age': $53m in Brisbane property sold in one day
Weekend auction options were plentiful for buyers, and they splashed the highest sums under the hammer for six months.
Life & Culture
‘Silly’ or a secret wellness weapon? Your brain on memes
This last year has been the toughest some people have ever experienced. But an unlikely ally - the humble meme - has boosted so many.
Sport
Breaking
NRL 2021
‘They have to face the consequences’: Rival clubs urge NRL to punish Eels
COVID bubble restrictions have left Parramatta facing the prospect of having just 16 eligible players for Magic Round after the club ignored a warning not to field fringe players in NSW Cup.
Has the Super Rugby final wrecked Suncorp Stadium before Magic Round?
The NRL maintains the venue will be in tip-top shape.
Two down, two to go: Kerr’s golden boot steering Chelsea to a historic trophy sweep
Sam Kerr has had an amazing season and she’s not done yet.
Spidercam vision leaves shattered Brumbies seething
James O’Connor’s try secured Queensland’s win, but new vision casts doubt on the previous play.
Broncos confirm Coates’ exit to Storm, two days after declaring he’d stay
Kevin Walters had been “confident” the 20-year-old would remain.
Gamble pays off for Mercedes as Hamilton hunts down Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton has won the Spanish Grand Prix for the fifth year in a row.
Updated
EPL
Manchester United beat Villa to keep City’s title celebrations on ice
Manchester United recovered to beat Aston Villa 3-1.
Have Your Say
Why the Wallabies are now favourites against France
A few months ago, I said Australia should not expect to win a match in their upcoming three-Test series against France. I’d like to retract those comments.
