Explainer newsletter
Fascinating answers to perplexing questions delivered to your inbox.
Please Explain podcast
Expert daily insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Daily Sudoku
Challenge yourself with today’s four difficulty levels.
‘Only a few minutes’: What Tyrrell’s foster-mum says happened
The woman’s evidence is under new scrutiny as police investigate whether William fatally fell from a balcony on the Mid North Coast in 2014.
Exclusive
NSW councils
‘Fox in charge of the hens’ house’: Council candidates fail to declare links
A former deputy Liberal mayor whose wife’s development bid arose from an unusual zoning decision is one of multiple council candidates to deny a close association to developers.
Former soldier willing to testify against Ben Roberts-Smith, court hears
The ex-soldier, known as ‘person 56’, was a member of Mr Roberts-Smith’s patrol in 2012.
Vandals spray photos with black paint a day before Bondi Beach festival
Horace Li, whose 10 images for the Head On Photo Festival were vandalised overnight, says it is interesting his photographs sparked such a strong reaction in someone.
More charges expected after Thomson granted bail, court told
Former Labor MP Craig Thomson is accused of being involved in a scheme where he facilitated more than 100 fraudulent visa applications.
Liberal MPs told not to go to protests as PM steps in
The Prime Minister has distanced himself from Victorian Liberal MPs who joined demonstrators protesting the government’s pandemic bill.
Illegal border hopper from Cairns seeded NT COVID-19 emergency
A Cairns woman accused of illegally crossing state borders and who was “f---ing livid” when wrongly termed a sex worker has been confirmed as case zero.
McGowan fumes at PM’s ‘anti-vaxxer dog whistling’
Scott Morrison said violent behaviour and rhetoric had no place in Australia – but acknowledged people were frustrated with governments dictating their lives.
WTA threatens to cancel tournaments if safety of missing Peng not proven
![Australian Open Tennis . Shuai Peng [CHN] after defeating Jelena Jankovic [SRB] on Hisense Arena .20th January 2011 . THE AGE . Picture Vince Caligiuri .](http://web.archive.org./web/20211118172511im_/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.486655237817333%2C$multiply_0.963%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_395%2C$y_21/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/c44aff41bf9f5b1ecba0bcd742267d4417ac33be)
The Women’s Tennis Association said it may take extreme action in China if missing tennis star Peng Shuai is not accounted for soon.
Exclusive
Cosmetic Cowboys
Celebrity cosmetic surgeon’s patient in ICU after blood loss
A woman was found unconscious and rushed to hospital this week after receiving liposuction treatment and a tummy tuck from an associate of Dr Daniel Lanzer.
Indian PM calls for unity against cyber warfare
Narendra Modi said technology and data are the “new weapons” in today’s world and technology is key to shaping the future international order.
How to solve the hardest question in this year’s HSC
It’s the most challenging question in the hardest maths exam, which can stump even the most capable of students. Could you solve it?
Push for more online learning as universities pin hopes on 2024 recovery
NSW universities are hopeful of rebuilding student numbers by 2024 but need a broader base of revenue.
★★★★
Review
The Great may not be exactly true, but it is truly a hoot. Huzzah!
The lavish historical epic about Russia’s 18th century ruler takes enormous liberties, and let’s drink to that.
Exclusive
Recycling
Marina DeBris a trashionista campaigning against single-use plastics
Sydney environmental artist Marina DeBris’ latest work is being used to raise awareness of the threat of medical waste and single-use plastics to the environment.
Exclusive
A-League
From Netflix villain to the Wanderers: Why Jack Rodwell’s not finished yet
The former Everton, Manchester City and Sunderland star has signed on in a serious coup for the A-League club – and says those who think he’s a stubborn, money-hungry playboy are way off the mark.
Sydney
Sydney trains assets in ‘very poor’ condition amid backlog
Certain rail bridges and substations have been identified among a backlog of issues whose maintenance cost could blow out as much as $1.65 billion within 10 years.
Man charged with murder after sister allegedly injured then set alight
Police say the woman suffered severe head injuries before allegedly being set on fire by her brother in Deniliquin. A police officer suffered burns to his hand.
More charges expected after Thomson granted bail, court told
Former Labor MP Craig Thomson is accused of being involved in a scheme where he facilitated more than 100 fraudulent visa applications.
Snow halts plans in southern NSW, rain could fall on flooded towns
The Bureau of Meteorology says possible heavy rainfall from a low-pressure system tracking across NSW this weekend is a concern for flood-affected areas.
NSW Police to determine whether Tyrrell case will be ‘taken further’
Investigators are working on the theory the boy may have fallen to his death from a second-storey balcony and have undertaken an intensive forensic search at the Mid North Coast home.
Politics
Funds for green aviation, shipping fuel spark logging fears
Low-emissions fuels for aircraft and cargo ships are targets of a new federal government initiative to harness organic waste for bioenergy.
Business
The consulting firm that billionaires turn to when they give away money
A little-known consulting firm is helping the likes of MacKenzie Scott give away billions. Critics question whether it is the right fit for the charitable sector.
World
Belarus clears migrant camp at border with Poland as crisis eases
The migrants were removed from the camp in what appeared to be a major development in a crisis that has spiralled in recent weeks into an East-West confrontation.
Opinion
NSW government’s trove of broken pledges holds promise for Labor
Alexandra Smith
State Political Editor
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property bydomain
'Heart-stopping': Shocking figures for property buying hopefuls
Even bank economists warn it's now 'extremely difficult' for those who do not already own property to get in to the market, and cheaper rents are little help.
Cronulla's landmark 'spaceship house' up for sale for $15 million
The landmark residence known as the 'spaceship house' is up for grabs, given plans by Shane and Lyn Noble to build a catamaran to sail around the world.
Lifestyle
Why is everyone talking about Taylor Swift’s scarf?
The pop star broke streaming records after the release of Red (Taylor’s Version) on Friday, but for Swifties it also resurfaced a decade-old mystery.
Culture
‘I’m old enough to remember kids crippled with polio’: Sting’s post-COVID return
The 70-year-old returns with new solo album The Bridge, and hope for live music’s post-COVID renaissance.
Sport
Three months after bitter World Cup fallout, Australia finally commit to tournament
Organisers are considering playing warm-up games in Australia to accommodate the NRL grand final as the feud over the withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand is put to bed.
‘He didn’t deserve that’: Rennie defends Berry after Boks coach banned
Dave Rennie weighs in on the video controversy that saw a World Cup-winning coach banned from rugby for two months.
![Australian Open Tennis . Shuai Peng [CHN] after defeating Jelena Jankovic [SRB] on Hisense Arena .20th January 2011 . THE AGE . Picture Vince Caligiuri .](http://web.archive.org./web/20211118172511im_/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.486655237817333%2C$multiply_0.7063%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_395%2C$y_21/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/c44aff41bf9f5b1ecba0bcd742267d4417ac33be)
WTA threatens to cancel tournaments in China if safety of missing Peng not proven
The Women’s Tennis Association has warned China it may take extreme action if missing tennis star Peng Shuai is not accounted for soon.
Rennie defends Giteau Law experiment as Wales clash looms
The Wallabies coach has made four changes to the starting line up to face Wales and defended his approach to a relaxation of Test eligibility rules.
Exclusive
A-League
From Netflix villain to the Wanderers: Why Jack Rodwell’s not finished yet
The former Everton, Manchester City and Sunderland star has signed on in a serious coup for the A-League club – and says those who think he’s a stubborn, money-hungry playboy are way off the mark.
‘The kid can play’: Sheens says Papali’i will have huge impact on Tigers
The Wests Tigers director of football has his first big name, with Isaiah Papali’i signing a three-year deal from 2023, causing further concern for the Eels and their thinning roster.
Analysis
World Boxing
Tszyu keeps on winning, but the real action happens outside the ring
Tim Tszyu could be a victim of his own success, with his handlers fearing the world’s best fighters will go to great lengths to avoid having to face him.
Have Your Say
The real deal, or another false dawn? The A-League is back, and it looks different
The A-League stands at the precipice of yet another new chapter, but this time there’s a new mob in charge, a new broadcaster and a bold new outlook. How will broader Australia respond?
