The Drop podcast
Your weekly hit of the most interesting pop culture news, reviews and recommendations.
Morning Edition Newsletter
A summary of the day’s most important stories, analysis and insights.
Superquiz
See how many of today's questions you can get right.
Exclusive
Political leadership
Coalition takes primary vote lead in poll for first time since election
Voters have lifted the Coalition to its strongest position since the last federal election, despite backing Labor on its overhaul of personal income tax cuts.
$2.75b announced for Qld’s ‘next big rail project’ – but it will need much more
State funds have been earmarked for a key south-east rail link that will only be partly completed by 2032, and still requires a federal cash injection.
Updated
City council
LNP promises more ferries to popular nightlife spot amid moves to electrify fleet
Revellers could be hopping off CityCats at Howard Smith Wharves by Easter, while EV ferries could be launched in 2027 under the LNP’s latest election pledges.
Perspective
Flu season
COVID never killed the ‘soldier on’ mentality, especially when you can work from home
Queensland suffered through its worst year for flu in 2023 in decades. And our “solider on” mentality – which never really went away – isn’t helping.
Felicity Caldwell
Journalist
Exclusive
Crime
Jesse Baird told friends of ‘shadowy figure in his bedroom’ late at night
News of the break-in came as police urged patience as they try to locate the bodies of Baird and partner Luke Davies, who were allegedly killed by a Sydney police officer.
Katy Perry performed at lavish mansion party, but Anthony Albanese just wanted to talk jobs
While global superstar Katy Perry staged a private performance at billionaire Anthony Pratt’s mansion, the PM said he was just there to talk about manufacturing.
Analysis
US Votes 2024
‘I’m not giving up this fight’: Haley vows to stay in the race
Nikki Haley didn’t lose the Republican primary for a lack of trying. While Trump barely campaigned in South Carolina until this week, she held about 30 events and spent millions on advertising.
Let’s go: First look at the NRL’s new ad campaign for 2024
We know how the NRL will market itself to American fans ahead of the historic Las Vegas double-header, but what about its pitch to dyed-in-the-wool Australian fans?
Exclusive
Social media
$1 billion for journalism at risk in new warning over Google, Facebook
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and former competition boss Rod Sims have urged the government to enforce the media bargaining code struck three years ago, when they stared down the social media giants.
Surgeon fails in second bid to unmask Nine journalist’s sources
The Federal Court found Munjed Al Muderis was trying to circumvent court process and bring the administration of justice into disrepute by issuing a series of subpoenas.
Matchbox Twenty, Chemical Brothers and Dune sequel: Things to do in Brisbane this week
A wedding expo, an Adele tribute show and the ultimate way to experience The Dark Side of the Moon are also among this week’s highlights in Brisbane.
Calling time on wine o’clock: The hidden reasons working mothers use alcohol to cope
Mothers say they struggle to meet expectations at work and home in the evening, which is when alcohol kicks in as a stress-relieving tool.
Exclusive
Charity
Rebel Wilson helps Tanzania’s poorest and smartest children
Long before the Australian actor was a Hollywood star, her photo had pride of place in a one-room mud hut in Tanzania.
What on Earth is happening to the weather? These charts help explain
Global temperature records were shattered last month, and parts of WA recorded the world’s hottest temperature before storms and heat buffeted the east coast.
Queensland
Fashion world mourns ‘visionary’ founder of Queensland-based label
The CEO and founder of Queensland alternative clothing brand Black Milk has died in an accident while on holiday.
Major US airline adds direct flight from Brisbane to LA
By December, there will be a total of 34 flights weekly from North America to the Queensland capital.
Greens want to ban cars in more traffic lanes to give buses a clear run
Ahead of the Brisbane City Council election, the Greens have vowed to create bus lanes on three of Brisbane busiest roads. Labor and the LNP are opposed.
Qld’s incoming temporary top cop won’t be there to just ‘warm the seat’
Steve Gollschewski, a 44-year Queensland police veteran and face of its COVID response, was thinking ahead to retirement. He’s now auditioning in the top job.
Mum in ‘trauma’ as son’s killers jailed for second time
A woman has sobbed in court as she listened to her teenage son’s killers being sentenced for a second time in less than two years.
Politics
HECS fee relief could flow by July under proposed university debt overhaul
Australians paying off university debts could save $1000 or more by mid-year under a fee overhaul that Education Minister Jason Clare calls a cost-of-living fix.
Business
Analysis
The Future of Work
For disabled employees, the end of remote work is worrying
Momentum for disabled worker employment gains is petering out, and some believe jobseekers with disabilities may face a different outlook in 2024.
Amina Niasse
World
Explainer
Middle East tensions
‘Villainous forces’: How the US became Iran’s enemy number one
Iranians go to the polls on March 1 for the first time since mass protests over headscarf laws. How did Iran get here – and can the era of the ayatollahs last?
Opinion
What China’s blossoming relationship with the Taliban says about its long-game
Amin Saikal
Professor of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Islamic Studies
Is it OK to mine your past relationships to feed your art? Looking at you Tay Tay
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
As Morrison leaves parliament, we should honour his legacy
George Brandis
Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general
Explore
Property
‘Don’t think it’s ever been harder’: Brisbane first home buyers priced out
Even an entry-level Brisbane house has doubled in price over the past five years, and loan repayments are tipping many owners into mortgage stress.
‘Love living here’: SEQ suburbs where house prices doubled in five years
Home buyers are flocking to coastal havens and lush hamlets – but on the flipside, a handful of areas are cheaper than five years ago.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Tomato
Five luscious late-summer tomato recipes to make this weekend
Lifestyle
Who keeps the fur baby?
Pets are treated as property under Australian family law, but some legal experts say change is needed, pointing to other countries that consider pet welfare in custody battles.
Opinion
Parenting
What the darkness of parenting memes taught me about motherhood
Wendy Syfret
Freelance writer
Culture
Perspective
Live music
How I learnt to shake off my music snobbery and embrace the mainstream
If you’d told me a couple of decades ago I’d be at a Pink concert and – shock, horror – enjoying it, I’d have turned my back on you so fast, my long, luscious locks would have whacked you fair in the face.
Cameron Atfield
Journalist
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Marshall questions Tigers’ attitude, but young prodigy firms for NRL debut
The rookie Tigers coach has been left with more questions than answers after an underwhelming pre-season and a rare positive in 193-centimetre playmaker Lachlan Galvin.
First-ever title and a rise up the rankings: Thompson pulls off a ‘miracle’
Australia’s Jordan Thompson will rise to No.32 in the rankings after winning an ATP title in Los Cabos, but it took what the man himself described as a miracle to do it.
Aussies sweep series, but Smith’s failures put his World Cup spot at risk
While others enhanced their hopes of playing at the T20I World Cup, Steve Smith’s performances in New Zealand had the opposite effect.
Foketi cleared as Waratahs stay optimistic for clash with defending champs
After a spirited display in defeat against the Reds, the Waratahs face a quick rebuild ahead of a daunting upcoming fixture list.
Analysis
Australian cricket
Why the fall of Test cricket would hurt Australia the most
Australian cricket has bet most of its chips on the health of Tests. Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird must lead the way to save them.
Wigan 16 Penrith 12
NRL 2024
‘Lying is a sin’: Penrith star’s dig at Wigan rival over controversial try
The NRL’s best team was again beaten by their English rivals, but the victory was secured courtesy of a refereeing decision that had Australians scratching their heads.
Sunday Sport Quiz: Equestrian high jinx, England’s FA Cup, and who is Ralph Doubell?
Challenge yourself with our sports quiz, a mix of questions about the latest in world and local sport, plus the big events in sporting history.
Have Your Say
Did NRL rule tweaks help Nathan Cleary put on a grand final masterclass?
The six-again rule has changed the game for the better, but great players would have been great in any era.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
