Evening edition
The day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy.
Naked City podcast
Journey into the criminal underworld with Australia’s most formidable crime reporter - John Silvester.
Take The Age quiz
Test your knowledge of Melbourne and Victoria with Stephen Brook’s weekly quiz.
‘How many lives do you put at risk?’: Anger after man dies at music festival during heatwave
Antony Maugeri, a 23-year-old from Niddrie, became unresponsive just after 1am on Sunday at the music festival in state’s west.
End the ugly: Why these experts say the state’s dysfunctional planning system needs to change
Architects and planners say Victoria’s planning system is not working, discourages beautiful buildings and adds thousands of dollars to the cost of housing.
Breaking
Air travel
Ten people in hospital after sudden ‘drop’ on Sydney-Auckland flight
Ambulances met the plane on the Auckland tarmac and treated at least 50 people who were injured during a “drop” mid-flight.
State stands by plan to raise age of criminal responsibility
The Victorian government vows to press ahead with plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 by 2027 despite renewed police and opposition concerns.
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
My little-known suburb has no cafe. Yes, you read that right: no cafe
In a good way, surprisingly little has changed during the past 40 years in this oasis nestled on the Yarra and Plenty rivers.
Carolyn Webb
Reporter
Crowds down as heat prevents monarchs’ reign on Moomba parade
The parade was cancelled, but hardy types braved the Melbourne’s heat to enjoy the last day of the Moomba festival.
Golden Plains festival beats to the heat to mark a sweet 16th set
Despite the heat, an overwhelming sense of freedom spread through Meredith’s Supernatural Amphitheatre during the festival’s latest edition.
‘Swallow your pride’: A major Victorian race has lost appeal. This is what some think can fix it
The All-Star Mile has lost public appeal this year and failed to pull the best horses away from Sydney’s autumn carnival. And some are saying Victoria should look to NSW for an answer.
She comes from a coastal town. So how did Jakara become a sensation on the snow?
The 25-year-old from Barwon Heads has completed the greatest season ever by a moguls skier.
Who shone and who flopped in Australia’s remarkable Test win over New Zealand
The heroes and villains of Australia’s tight second Test victory over New Zealand in Christchurch.
The clue that led to questions over Catherine’s family picture
Hany Farid, a professor of computer sciences at the University of California Berkeley, said the issue with the photo looked like a “bad Photoshop job”.
Facebook exit would be an ‘existential moment’ for media, Costello warns
Meta’s decision to pull almost $70 million in annual revenue for news organisations puts reputable journalism at risk.
‘New regime’: Business leaders say rates, inflation could stay higher for longer
Three per cent is the new 2 per cent, BlackRock global chief investment strategist Wei Li says.
Opinion
Bullying
Sticks and stones may break my kid’s bones, but it’s the words that hurt most
The problem is, asking your bullied child to wait out the school years isn’t always straightforward. So where do you go from here?
Michelle Cazzulino
Writer
Wicked’s extravagance is a sight to behold in this return to Oz
After nine years, the fanfare and pomp of Broadway blockbuster Wicked is back in Melbourne.
Editor's Picks
Just in
Victoria
Cows and tourists lock horns over Apollo Bay shipping plan
A sea freight company’s proposal to move 20,000 cattle through the port of the Great Ocean Road tourist town to King Island each year has sparked fierce resistance.
Exclusive
Crime
‘Breathe, sweetie... don’t leave me’: A daughter’s murder, a mother’s torment, a battle for change
Celeste Manno was murdered in her bed. Now her mother wants the world to hear of her pain – and to save others.
Killer of mother found in wheelie bin may have fled abroad, police say
Friends of Point Cook woman Chaithanya “Swetha” Madhagani said her dignity had been stolen by the horrific circumstances of her death.
Exclusive
Political leadership
Pesutto’s quest to make the Liberals electable remains hostage to a bitter dispute
The sense of crisis surrounding the Victorian Liberal leadership is likely to soon deepen, with two self-described gender-critical feminists expected to issue separate defamation writs against John Pesutto.
Updated
Heatwave
Pitch festival cancelled, reveller dies as Victoria’s heatwave drags on
Relief from the heat is not expected to arrive until later today as outdoor events across Victoria are cancelled and the state remains on high alert for bushfires.
AFL SEASON 2024
Analysis
Bargain Blue shows his worth and where to for Tigers? Key takeouts from ’round zero’
It is never too early for storylines to develop in the AFL season, with the four games played delivering plenty of talking points.
AFL Briefing
Blues ‘have the talent’ to win a flag; Howe in line for return; AFL must be ‘concerned’ about class action
Carlton CEO Brian Cook sayd the Blues have the hunger and talent to deliver a 17th flag, while Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe trained strongly and is in line for a return to the Pies’ side for round one.
Politics
‘Totally irresponsible’: Government faces backlash over Gaza aid funding
Labor says it will not reinstate funding to the UN’s main provider of aid to Palestinians until an investigation into the agency is complete.
Business
Lattouf says ABC management told her: ‘We’re taking you off-air’
Lawyers for the ABC over the alleged sacking of the broadcaster said she was “not a reliable historian” of what occurred at a meeting where she said she was dismissed.
World
King Charles to miss Commonwealth Day event
The King will be absent from the commemoration of the group’s 75th anniversary celebrations while the recuperates from cancer treatment.
Opinion
The alternative is awful, but not even conservatives should back Trump
George Brandis
Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general
I feel free! Why I am abandoning footy tipping this year
Stephen Brook
Special correspondent, The Age
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Property
Family splash $3.42 million on Balwyn North home they plan to knock down
Six families competed for the mid-century four-bedroom house on a large block, in a marathon auction lasting 45 minutes.
The suburbs where one compromise can make households the most cash
Homeowners who swap houses for apartments could be left with more than a million dollars to spare.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Sophistication and schoolgirls: The 10 best Oscars red carpet looks
Subdued sophistication dominates the choices of this year’s style winners, including Billie Eilish and Zendaya.
Culture
Downton star delves into a dark Irish chapter in serial-killer thriller
Best known as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey, Leech plays a detective on the trail of a suspected murderer in The Vanishing Triangle.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
‘Happy not to face another ball’: Why hero Carey didn’t care about missing out on a century in gutsy chase
Alex Carey won a Test off his own bat for his country, but that’s not all he achieved in leading the way as Australia chased down 279 to beat New Zealand in Christchurch
Updated
AFL 2024
Cox apologises for ‘bizarre’ warm-up clash with Giants
Collingwood’s Mason Cox had a quiet match on Saturday night but still found himself in the headlines because of a pre-match incident. Now, the ruckman has given his version of events.
Australian Test player ratings: Carey shines, but who flopped?
The heroes and villains of Australia’s tight second Test victory over New Zealand in Christchurch.
‘Swallow your pride’: Victoria urged to copy V’landys with $20m revamp
The All-Star Mile has lost public appeal this year and failed to pull the best horses away from Sydney’s autumn carnival. As a result, there is a call to turn the race into a $20 million Melbourne version of The Everest.
‘I’ve got seven screws in my head’: Tyler Wright reveals suffocation condition
The two-time world champion and Paris 2024 Olympian has baffled doctors with her ability to compete at the highest level despite managing a significant problem with her airways.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Blues ‘have the talent’ to win a flag; Howe in line for return
Carlton CEO Brian Cook sayd the Blues have the hunger and talent to deliver a 17th flag, while Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe trained strongly and is in line for a return to the Pies’ side for round one.
Who is Jakara Anthony, the Australian skiing sensation?
The 25-year-old from Barwon Heads has won 13 of 15 world cup competitions she’s entered this season – the greatest season ever by a moguls skier.
Have Your Say
Bargain Blue shows his worth and where to for the Tigers? Key takeouts from ‘round zero’
It is never too early for storylines to develop in the AFL season, with the four games played in the new “round zero” delivering plenty of talking points as the 2024 football year kicked off.
