Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Olympics newsletter
Never miss a medal or great sporting moment with our morning email.
Morning Edition
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Transmission detected in south-west Sydney mall
Anyone who visited Campsie Centre shopping mall between Wednesday July 14 to Saturday July 24 is a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days.
Learning the hard way, Taiwan exits lockdown as a ‘COVID-zero’ cautionary tale
From a case study for success against the virus, Taiwan is reflecting on what went awry from mid-May, when its pandemic death toll exploded from 12 to 786.
Dean Boxall’s celebration triggers IOC response
Ariarne Titmus’ swim coach took off his mask during his colourful celebrations following the women’s 400m freestyle final.
Titmus stops the Games and unlocks hearts across the nation
It could not have been more hyped had Don King been in charge of promotions. It delivered everything promised.
McKeown’s time to shine finally arrives but record-breaking rivals lie in wait
After four Olympic records in four races before Tuesday’s 100m backstroke final, Kaylee McKeown won’t have it all her own way.
The 13-year-old who made history with gold for Japan
They are just kids. On Monday, one of them became the youngest individual Olympic gold medallist in more than 80 years.
Arts ‘can’t reboot’ from pandemic without massive help
A grim report has proposed a return to Whitlam-era support for the arts, with a big increase to the number of “creative fellowships” funded by the federal government.
‘Big soldier’ involved in killing of Afghan farmer, Roberts-Smith trial told
An Afghan man killed by Australian forces was a farmer and not a Taliban fighter, the ex-soldier’s Federal Court defamation trial has heard.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Sydney Hillsong pastors gain permission to leave Australia
Brian and Bobbie Houston, co-global senior pastors at Hillsong Church, took part in a service in Mexico.
Sydney home prices tipped to rise more than 20 per cent
A report by NAB is predicting home values will continue to surge this year, but warns first-time buyers are reaching their financial limits.
Dieter Brummer, former Home and Away heartthrob, dead at 45
A two-time Logie winner, Brummer was a TV star in the ’90s but left acting to start a window-cleaning business.
Tilda Swinton on fluidity and her ‘mistaken’ career
The dazzling star of Memoria planned to be a poet, but those film offers kept coming.
Lifting weights? Your fat cells would like to have a word
We all know that lifting weights can build our muscles, but weight training may also shrink fat, according to a new study.
New operators of prized Bondi spot revealed – and why they’ll pay $1m in rent
The tender process for Bondi Pavilion is finally over – and the winner is an up-and-coming outsider.
Editor's Picks
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Anti-lockdown protests a sign of growing chaos
Sean Kelly
Columnist and former adviser to Labor prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
Just in
Tokyo Olympics
Updated
Surfing
Deadly Fitzgibbons closes in on Olympic medal; Gilmore, Wilson eliminated
- by Adam Pengilly
Sydney
Silverwater women’s prison boss denies choking inmate
Tracey Mannix pleaded not guilty on Monday to assault and intentionally choking a female inmate at the correctional centre in June.
Developer promises $11m for potential defects in Castle Hill towers
Toplace has also agreed to guarantee the structural integrity of the Skyview towers for the next 20 years.
Exclusive
Roads
‘Overreach’: WestConnex tries to gag residents over noise complaints
David was sent noise-cancelling headphones after he complained. A few days later, a legal letter arrived.
‘A very special time’: The households using this lockdown for a fresh start
Amid the frayed nerves or feelings of isolation, there are stories of families finding hope and silver linings.
Pandemic stress: Lockdown threatens women’s jobs boom in NSW
One hallmark of the recovery from last year’s deep recession has been a surge in women’s employment but Sydney’s lockdown is likely to disrupt that trend.
Politics
Solar power tax to boost energy grid gains backing of consumer advocate
Controversial changes to allow networks to impose charges on household solar power has won the backing of a peak consumer lobby group.
Business
Cannon-Brookes backed Spaceship hits $1b in funds under management
The superannuation startup, backed by Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes, is growing its base as the market for Millennial-focused finance products booms.
World
New York City issues vaccine mandate for city workers to fight Delta variant
Authorities across the US are ramping up vaccine promotion to try to stem a wave of infections caused by the Delta variant.
Opinion
Fed up? Take a walk on the mild side
Vicki Tennant
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property bydomain
Rich Lister Paul Fudge sells thoroughbred stud to Racing NSW
The 97-hectare Bong Bong Farm in the Southern Highlands, is tipped to become one of the racing industry's premier education and training facilities.
'It's the opposite of who we are': Tradies blast stereotypes
At a time when home owners are spending a record $1 billion a month on renovations, tradies are furious that publicly they’re being castigated and devalued.
Life & Culture
From The Missing to Baptiste: how our obsessed detective has changed
The 2014 thriller The Missing was a surprise success, especially for Tcheky Karyo, whose quiet detective has spawned a spin-off series now in its second season.
Sport
How Titmus survived swimming’s most brutal test in Tokyo triumph
Katie Ledecky has made a career out of crushing the souls of her swimming rivals. Only this time, Ariarne Titmus made it out the other side.
‘I bleed with my athletes:’ The story behind Dean Boxall’s celebration
The Australian swimming coach has always been one out of the box. Now he’s a worldwide attraction after masterminding the gold medal victory of Ariarne Titmus.
Lap-by-lap: The breakdown of Titmus’s brilliant win over US legend Ledecky
In a race that is sure to be remembered as an Olympic classic, Ariarne Titmus timed her surge past Katie Ledecky to perfection.
‘We’re hurting’: Slow start leaves Australia with All Black mountain to climb
A shock defeat to Argentina in their opening pool match means Australia’s men’s sevens side face a monumental task to progress, and New Zealand stand in their way.
‘What you expect from a pro’: Cleary pushing hard for miracle return
Nathan Cleary is at long odds to return against Melbourne but is not going to die wondering, and will even resume contact on his shoulder as early as Tuesday.
‘Sharp as ever’: Why Rennie is impressed with wiser, older Cooper
Called up from his holidays in Brisbane, Quade Cooper slipped back into the Wallabies training environment with ease on Monday.
Nicolson wins through to quarter-finals as draw opens up
Australian featherweight Skye Nicolson is just two wins away from reaching the gold-medal bout, with the first, third and fourth seeds having already been eliminated.
Have Your Say
Ariarne Titmus fires up to win gold — and, finally, so does Thorpey
Sure, the 20-year-old’s performance in beating Katie Ledecky was breathtaking – but Ian Thorpe was the real winner on day three.