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Panicked missed calls and ‘silly’ seat demands: New texts expose Lehrmann interview tensions
Spotlight producers thought their interview with Bruce Lehrmann would be “the most amazing thing on Australian TV ever”. But new texts show a different story.
Exclusive
Tax disputes
ATO in stand-off with US tech giants over software tax grab
The Tax Office is caught up in a battle over plans to tax billions of dollars worth of software transactions for the first time.
Opinion
UK election
The Tories should have never dumped Boris Johnson. He was the master politician of his age
Are the Tories mad enough to roll another leader? My spies inside the Conservative Party tell me this is a real possibility.
George Brandis
Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general
‘Like the Day of the Triffids’: How a researcher saved her friend’s life from the ‘monster’ among us
When Troy complained on Facebook about something weird in his shoulder, one of his friends who took notice was pandemic-famous epidemiologist Catherine Bennett.
Council ordered to hand over records, test parks as more potential asbestos found
Victoria’s environmental regulator has slapped notices on a local council to hand over records and bring in experts to test more parks.
Trump says he raised $75 million at fundraiser with 45-minute speech
The event, Donald Trump’s biggest fundraiser yet, is a much-needed boost as he struggles to keep pace with Joe Biden’s ability to whip up funds.
Live
AFL 2024
Saints hold out against Tigers; Ginnivan v Schultz in full swing; Blue cops one-match ban
After being at the centre of a debate surrounding head-high tackles last week, Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan was awarded a free kick against his old side after Patrick Lipinski’s arm got him around the neck. Follow the action.
Latest live posts
LoadingFinlayson apologises for homophobic slur, Koch compares case to Clarkson fine
Finlayson is now waiting for the AFL to finalise its investigation, but his chairman knows where he thinks it stands in comparison to the matter that saw Alastair Clarkson fined.
From love-to-hate to hot property: Why Collingwood players are so marketable
After winning the premiership, Collingwood players are on a ticket to ride. And no red carpet seems complete without them.
I’m coming to Melbourne for the week, where should I eat? The critic’s top picks for visitors
These are the restaurants, pubs and bars that reveal our city’s essence, and who we are as Melburnians, says Besha Rodell.
Opinion
JK Rowling
This is how cancel culture ends. Thank you, JK Rowling
When the author dared police to arrest her – if they believed she’d broken new hate-speech laws – she struck a blow for freedom.
Parnell Palme McGuinness
Columnist and communications adviser
I did one of Australia’s greatest treks the easy way. It wasn’t that easy
This renowned trek is sensibly divided into a two-speed society. By the end of the fifth day, we were being held together by ibuprofen, knee braces and chocolate.
Released from prison to fight Ukraine, they return to Russia to kill again
Russian convicts have been the backbone of its success in Ukraine but the strategy is backfiring at home. Those pardoned include murderers, rapists and even a cannibal.
Chinese investment in Australia plunges to record lows
A report warned that as Chinese investment in Australia reached record lows, a more worrying threat was emerging.
How and why the US gives billions of dollars of weapons to Israel every year
It was uncontroversial when the Obama administration signed a deal with Israel to provide weapons for a decade. Little thought was paid to how they might one day be used.
Before a girls’ night out, this is the cheat sheet I left for my husband
Although he has always been a hands-on dad, he works long hours and doesn’t get home until after the kids are in bed during the week. So, he needed help.
Her father’s a legend, her mentor’s an enigma, and she’s just made the year’s best debut
Fabiana Palladino’s debut album is a pop masterpiece a lifetime in the making.
Melbourne undies on stage at Tom Jones? It’s still not unusual
Tom Jones has been touring for six decades, but his arena show was anything but nostalgia.
WEEKEND READS
‘I married my first crush when I was 22’: Matt Shirvington on finding love so young
The Sunrise host and former athlete met his now-wife, Jessie, when they were both in year 12.
Dicey Topics
Sex before, not after, a romantic dinner – and other advice from foodie Alison Roman
The New York-based cook and food writer on weighing up expiry dates, dining with political opposites – and how history will judge meat-eaters.
Victoria
Opinion
City life
Bloated, backward and banal, Vic Market rebuild is the opposite of good planning
Melbourne’s beloved city market is sensual, lively, and bustling with energy but is set to be overshadowed by a series of banal towers that look like they were produced by a robot.
Norman Day
Architect
The army, police, men in black suits... They were told they saw nothing but the Westall UFO witnesses say ‘it definitely happened’
A group of former residents of Melbourne’s south-east say their unexplained sighting from almost 60 years ago still puzzles them.
Could planned burns be making our forests more flammable?
Hazard-reduction burns are designed to clear undergrowth and reduce the risk of big fires but the science is far from settled.
This community club took extreme measures to kill off its pokies
The Hastings Club was slowly going broke and couldn’t get out of its pokies contracts, so its members acted by putting it into liquidation.
Exclusive
Fossil fuels
‘Sheen’ in water: Ageing oil pipeline off Gippsland coast shut off as leak probed
A pipeline linking two oil platforms is being investigated as the source of a suspected hydrocarbon spill in Bass Strait.
AFL
Finlayson to be made accountable after admitting homophobic slur
The league CEO said an investigation was under way to ensure Port forward Jeremy Finlayson was held accountable for the homophobic slur he directed at an Essendon player on Friday night.
‘They deserve the goal’: Beveridge backs goal-line mark to Cat Stengle
At first, it looked like a behind to Geelong. But on video review, a mark was awarded to Tyson Stengle, who turned it into a goal as the Cats got home by four points.
Politics
Husic accuses Israeli government of ‘systematic failure’ over aid worker deaths
The Albanese government’s most senior minister of Muslim faith has delivered a stinging rebuke to the Israeli government.
Business
Opinion
Live music
Kids have not ‘gone soft’ when it comes to music festivals
The rapid decline of music festivals is symptomatic of a bigger problem – and it’s not the fault of young people.
Millie Muroi
Business Reporter
World
Julie Bishop named United Nations special envoy for Myanmar
Myanmar has been locked in civil war since the army took power from Aung Suu Kyi’s elected government in 2021.
Opinion
So much litigation, so little clarity: The Lehrmann case is a sordid labyrinth
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
When it comes to catchphrases, this film goes straight to the poolroom
David Astle
Crossword compiler and ABC Radio Melbourne presenter
China blocked my visa. I spent three years getting as close as I could
Eryk Bagshaw
North Asia correspondent
The sick joke that insults our new GG – and Beyonce
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
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Property
First home buyer nabs Richmond terrace for $1.135m, ‘less than what it was worth’
Both the buyer and the underbidder expected the two-bedroom house in a sought-after location to sell for even more.
‘Ultimate place to raise a family’: Melbourne’s top suburbs if you can’t afford the inner city
Home buyers here can enjoy an unbeatable lifestyle and find the commute is not a problem.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Opinion
Family
Forget siblings, the best family relationship is cousins
Your cousin is you but also not you, like yourself in a misty mirror.
Richard Glover
Broadcaster and columnist
Opinion
Health and nutrition
Making sense of health headlines shouldn’t be so difficult – or dangerous
Sarah Berry
Lifestyle Health Editor
Opinion
Sunday Life
Boomers are afraid to sell the family home and downsize. Can you blame us?
Jane Caro
Novelist, author and commentator
Culture
She turned David Bowie into Ziggy Stardust. It changed her life forever
Suzi Ronson was working in a hair salon in London when she gave Mrs Jones’ son the look that defined an era.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL 2024 round four LIVE updates: Magpies flying early against Hawks; Saints outlast Tigers; Blue cops one-match ban
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions as Gather Round reaches its Sunday matches.
From love-to-hate to hot property: Why Collingwood players are so marketable
After winning the premiership, Collingwood players are on a ticket to ride. And no red carpet seems complete without them.
Ball was touched before Blues’ mark, but dissent free kick was correct, says AFL chief
Gather Round’s first close encounter concluded in the most contentious final minute of the 2024 season to date, as Carlton booted two goals, one from a mark that Dockers players claimed was touched, and then the sealer from a free against Jordan Clark for dissent.
‘They deserve the goal’: Beveridge backs goal-line mark to Cat Stengle
At first, it looked like a behind to Geelong. But on video review, a mark was awarded to Tyson Stengle, who turned it into a goal as the Cats got home by four points.
Analysis
EPL
Why Ange’s Spurs still have a role to play in Premier League ‘title race’
Spurs are in a unique position: they have the chance to severely dent Arsenal’s title hopes, but also need their fiercest rivals to go as deep as possible in Europe for their own sake.
Finlayson to be made accountable after admitting homophobic slur, apologising to Essendon player
The league CEO said an investigation was under way to ensure Port forward Jeremy Finlayson was held accountable for the homophobic slur he directed at an Essendon player on Friday night.
Rugby chiefs investigate allegation Fijian star was racially abused by Rebels fan
Fijian Drua star Frank Lomani was left visibly shaken after allegedly being the target of a racial slur by a fan during Friday night’s match against the Rebels in Melbourne.
Have Your Say
No serious AFL player would take drugs: Why I can’t fathom blase attitude
Despite attempts to downplay the issues, the reports of illicit drug use and disharmony caused by footy trips should be ringing alarm bells for the AFL and its players’ association.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
