What in the World newsletter
Our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world.
Bondi Badlands podcast
We shed new light on a series of brutal murders along Sydney’s clifftops.
Daily Crosswords
Challenge yourself with today's quick and cryptic puzzles.
Cleo Smith rescued from house just seven minutes from family home
WA acting commissioner Col Blanch said police body-worn cameras captured the moment detectives found and embraced the little girl.
Cleo investigation will be looked at by police around the world: WA Premier
“I was talking to the analysts earlier and I said there’d be movies made about this,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
Opinion
McCann disappearance
I haven’t stopped crying. All of Australia is crying tears of joy that Cleo is alive
This news has elevated us all: Cleo Smith has been reunited with her family after 18 days of agony.
Kerri Sackville
Columnist
High Court strikes blow to ‘backpacker tax’, in hit to budget bottom line
The High Court of Australia has paved the way for some working holidaymakers from overseas, including the US and Britain, to receive a refund of the so-called “backpacker tax”.
NSW safety investigators directed to delve into $40b rail corporation
It has been revealed that investigators were told to review the adequacy of measures dealing with ‘potential risks’ to rail safety.
Opinion
Bonds
Markets may be about to face some uncomfortable moments
Sharemarket investors have been on an armchair ride since the 2008 financial crisis but it’s now at risk.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
‘Big mistake’: Biden criticises Xi for not attending climate summit
In his final speech to the summit, Joe Biden said Xi Jinping had “lost the ability to influence people around the world” by not coming to Glasgow.
Analysis
UK
Australia didn’t sign up for the global methane pledge - but what would it mean?
Methane reduction has been called the lowest-hanging fruit of climate solutions but Barnaby Joyce argues it isn’t possible without “shooting your cattle”.
Aaron Clark, Akshat Rathi and Naureen Malik
Updated
Cryptocurrencies
CBA makes landmark move into cryptocurrencies
The Commonwealth Bank will allow its customers to trade a range of cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, in a first for a big Australian bank.
‘Read this’: Baldwin pushes back on ‘chaotic’ movie set claims
Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed by a bullet discharged from a gun Baldwin was using to rehearse a scene on the Rust set in New Mexico.
‘A fast-tracked connection’: Why Georgette chooses to date sober
A growing number of singles are opting to skip alcohol on first dates post-lockdown.
Sydney set for a long, hot Italian summer with a new wave of eateries set to open
Lick your lips, Sydney. And maybe start that sit-up regime, because the upcoming opening season for Italian-flavoured venues is looking tasty.
US, yes; Japan, no: Where you can (and can’t) travel to now borders are open
As of this week, the Australian government’s ban on its citizens departing the country has been lifted. But some countries remain closed to us.
Sydney Film Festival starts today – here are 20 of the best movies to see
From Campion and Almodovar to complete unknowns, the city’s biggest annual cinema extravaganza offers a wide range of fascinating prospects.
Spaghetti bol meets mapo tofu (plus three more weeknight winners) from Adam Liaw’s new book
Adam Liaw wants us to fall in love with home cooking again, and his new cookbook Tonight’s Dinner will help you do just that.
GLASGOW CLIMATE SUMMIT
Success at COP26 would boost retirement savings
Expectations are high that real action to limit global warming will be taken at COP 26 that would have financial benefits for those saving for their retirement.
Opinion
COP26, a grotesque mix of rent seekers, hangers-on and political wannabes
In Glasgow, world leaders are only a small slice of a climate carnival best described as part-trade fair and part-public relations opportunity.
Bevan Shields
Europe correspondent
Sydney
Cycleway, 30-metre high sculpture and parks for new airport motorway
A shared cycling and walking path branching off into surrounding parks will be a key feature of a 16-kilometre motorway connecting the future Western Sydney airport to the rest of the city.
Exclusive
Government grants
NSW to review grants amid concerns of pork-barrelling
Dominic Perrottet has ordered a review of his government’s processes for awarding grants, after his predecessor’s ICAC appearance reignited controversy on pork-barrelling in marginal seats.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
WestConnex sale to pay debt, not fund $5b recovery fund
Only $800 million from the privatisation will to go to the state’s signature COVID recovery fund, with the $4.2 billion shortfall to come from other sources of revenue.
Jobseekers get $11.4m career service to supercharge pandemic recovery
The state will launch the new online service Careers NSW to provide access to more than 40 industry experts in growth industries.
CBD
City life
How Sydney had the biggest Melbourne Cup raceday
Let’s be real, the 2021 Melbourne Cup was very much the Cup Day to be celebrated in absentia.
Politics
Budget to improve by $45b, but big deficits to continue: Deloitte
Deloitte expects stronger commodity prices, the recovery from lockdowns and the high take-up of vaccinations to save the budget $45 billion.
Business
Analysis
Superannuation
More super for workers, but will employers pay?
Extending superannuation to more workers is welcome but without greater efforts to crack down on enforcement, there is a real risk that super underpayments will grow.
World
‘Take a judgment’: Johnson appears maskless next to 95-year-old David Attenborough
Johnson also apologised to Israel’s energy minister after she complained that a lack of wheelchair access had stopped her from attending the event.
Opinion
‘I don’t think, I know’: Macron breaks through Morrison’s fog of spin
Julie Szego
Author and freelance journalist
Time is running out for Albanese to step up and lead
Shaun Carney
Regular columnist
Now I’m hopeful we can talk about teens and gender
Dr Sandra Pertot
Clinical psychologist
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Property bydomain
Why are first-home purchases at a decade high when it's so hard to buy a home?
Property prices have spiralled since the pandemic hit, leaving first-home hopefuls scrambling to meet the deposit gap – yet many have found a solution.
'Beginning of the end': How rate rises could kill the property boom
A strong economic recovery may mean earlier than expected rate hikes, which will see home loan repayments increase by hundreds of dollars a month.
Lifestyle
How ‘twin stress’ affects women when they take on too much
While the post-pandemic WFH lifestyle may be a godsend for working women practically, it may well be detrimental to our health physically, overloading our bodies - and our hearts - with toxic stress.
Culture
Paul McCartney, Lisa Wilkinson, Hannah Kent: new books to read in November
With the Christmas book season well underway, publishers still have some treats heading our way.
Sport
In 160 years, no horse had won from gate 18. Then McDonald showed up
The best jockey in the country came up with a Melbourne Cup ride for the ages from a barrier that had long been cursed. How did he do it?
Former All Black Hayman reveals dementia diagnosis
The 41-year-old said his condition led to alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts and erratic behaviour.
‘I didn’t want to run her’: Waller’s startling admission over Verry Elleegant’s Cup triumph
While other Sydney-based trainers and even Ireland’s Joseph O’Brien made last-minute dashes to Melbourne, the champion conditioner watched his first Cup victory from home.
‘Shaking’: No.131 pulls off stunning Billie Jean King Cup upset, Aussies win
Storm Sanders has stunned Belgium’s world No.18 Elise Mertens to secure a win for Australia in their opening Billie Jean King Cup tie.
Golden Slipper to be worth $5 million in 2022
The world’s richest two-year-old race has received a huge prizemoney boost - announced less than 24 hours after the Melbourne Cup.
Updated
ICC Men’s World Cup
Australia face must-win matches to make semi-finals
Australia must reverse recent losses against Bangladesh and the West Indies if they are to make the last four in the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Pakistan have already booked their place.
‘New lease of life’: Munster prepares to exit rehab
Melbourne star is in a ‘really good headspace’ as he recovers from alcohol issues, according to Storm chairman Matt Tripp.
Have Your Say
Melbourne Cup finishing order: Assessing each runner and what the jockeys said
The finishing order is in for the 161st running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. It’s the race that stops a nation and this year was no different.