City Talk newsletter
The news, sport, food and places Brisbane is talking about.
The Morning Edition podcast
Start your day with expert insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Newsletters
Sign up for the news you want, delivered straight to your inbox.
Brisbane is getting hotter – some parts more than others
Experts believe more needs to be done to prevent and mitigate the impact of Brisbane’s “heat islands”, where temperatures are higher and liveability is lower.
The air in Brisbane is cleaner than other cities, but change is coming
While heavy industry is no longer polluting the air, there is still friction between people and the environment in south-east Queensland.
Feel the burn: In these towers, the windows provide more than a view
In one of Brisbane’s biggest urban redevelopment precincts, some residents talk about having to deal with the sun’s ‘morning burn’ or ‘evening burn’.
LIVE: More than 400 electric buses to be built in Qld
Premier Steven Miles to announce a new partnership that will see more than 400 electric buses built in Queensland.
Perspective
Government
Politics, power and prices: The key figure in Labor MPs’ sights
The extensive survey of Queenslanders across 2023 was revealing in many ways. One significant focus was awareness of electricity bill rebates.
Matt Dennien
Reporter
Analysis
Housing crisis
No, Max, we don’t really have a million vacant houses
The Greens housing spokesman says the empty homes recorded in the census means supply isn’t the cause of the housing crisis. The reality is quite different.
Exclusive
Healthcare
His dad was dying. So Daniel built a world-first artificial heart – with pipes and magnets
Australia will spend $50 million building the world’s first long-term artificial heart, after the original prototype was built with pieces bought from Bunnings.
The syndrome preventing many female athletes performing at their best
As many as 80 per cent of female athletes – professional and recreational – are risking their health and performance.
Opinion
Putin's Russia
One murder too many, Mr Putin? It could be Ukraine’s lifeline
The Russian president’s disposal of Alexei Navalny might spur US Republicans to defy Donald Trump and support Ukraine’s war effort. If not, prepare for a catastrophe.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
First France, now Germany: Australia risks another ‘slap in the face’
A dramatic navy overhaul will double the nation’s number of warships and boost the firepower of the surface fleet, but risks angering Germany.
★★★★
Review
‘Gobsmacked’: Beauty and the Beast gets standing ovations before it’s even half over
From dancing cutlery to miraculous transformations, Disney’s hi-tech layer-cake delivers on the magic.
The fantasy heroine who takes on all comers with a healthy dose of sass
American fantasy author Sarah J Maas’ latest novel has stormed the bestseller charts around the world.
Plump it like Beckham: The $587 ‘rich skin’ serum celebrities adore
German scientist Augustinus Bader is the new face of beauty with a range of products that increase the cost of looking good.
Queensland
Mother, father to face trial on baby murder charge
The torture charge against Noemi Kondacs was withdrawn, and replaced with one count of failing to supply the necessities of life.
Blink 182, Brisbane Home Show and free cannoli: Things to do this week
From Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight to Britney Spears The Cabaret, these are the best things to do in Brisbane this week.
Two visitors on separate tours attacked on K’gari
The pair have become the latest victims of dingo attacks on the island, with rangers investigating.
Metro charging station to be built on Brisbane’s northside under LNP plan
A new EV charging station for 60 electric buses will be built in Fitzgibbon if the LNP retains power at next month’s council election.
Swiftie who died in crash remembered as ‘vivacious and very cheeky’
The godmother of a teenager who died in a road accident while travelling from the Gold Coast to see Taylor Swift in Melbourne has remembered her as a beautiful person.
Politics
‘Highest it’s been since 2015’: border force boss rejects Dutton funding cut claim
The funding dispute is another flashpoint in the fight over Operation Sovereign Borders after Dutton claimed the government had cut funding and let boats in.
Business
Breaking
Mergers & acquisitions
ANZ wins green light for $4.9b Suncorp bank takeover on appeal
The Australian Competition Tribunal has overturned the competition watchdog’s decision not to allow ANZ’s proposed acquisition of Suncorp’s banking arm.
World
Patients evacuated by flashlight amid claims Gaza hospital director has been detained
The sides gave conflicting accounts of the situation at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, with Israel denying a claim it had detained the hospital director.
Opinion
Explore
Property
‘Out of reach’: It just got even harder to buy a home
Household finances are under pressure, consumers have been downbeat, and the key hurdle to achieve home ownership has worsened.
Exclusive
Title Deeds
How a tired $11m fixer-upper was transformed into a $33m trophy home
The no-expense-spared, architect-designed, magazine-worthy renovation project could touch a suburb record.
Good Food
Lifestyle
The weekend ritual that brings families together (and then tears them apart)
How quickly a Good Weekend can turn bad when your family starts arguing about how many sides a heptagon has. (It’s seven).
Culture
★★★½
Streaming
Messi’s World Cup provides a different portrait of the world’s greatest footballer
Lionel Messi, like Diego Maradona before him, is a totem of worship in Argentina, especially after winning the 2022 World Cup.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Analysis
NRL 2024
Best of the best: The top 50 players in the NRL – numbers 40 to 31
Expert judges from the Herald and Nine have combined to produce the definitive list of the top 50 players in the NRL. Today, we continue with numbers 40 to 31.
Opinion
NRL 2024
Why the NRL must stop Americans calling the game rugby
Forget about securing big-name celebrities to sing the NRL gospel. First, US fans need to know the difference between the rugby codes.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Tommy Tutu: How ballet exercises are keeping Trbojevic injury-free
Left-field training methods introduced by Eddie Jones’ assistant have helped get Manly ace free of pain and fighting fit for the season.
He’s the NRL’s quietest, but Cleary’s speech had Penrith running through walls
Rare dressing room access shows the impact his very un-rugby league approach has on Panthers players.
How an ‘abrasive’ future Wallaby has rocketed into shock contention
A teenage rising star has made a selection battle a four-horse race that he may be leading.
Updated
Melbourne Cup
‘To lose her is devastating’: Racing world mourns Verry Elleegant
Champion trainer Chris Waller confirmed the 2021 Melbourne Cup winner died while foaling in Ireland.
The AFL club memberships that offer the best value for money
We contacted every AFL club to break down the best memberships in each category.
Have Your Say
Think a mankini at an equestrian event is scandalous? Get off your high horse
There is a stark contrast between an Olympian’s “outrageous” outfit at a light-hearted event and the more serious issues the sport has grappled in Australia.
Emma Kemp
Sports reporter