Naked City Newsletter
For subscribers: John Silvester lifts the lid on Australia’s criminal underworld.
The Morning Edition podcast
Start your day with expert insight into the stories that drive the nation.
Considering post-grad study?
Find the right course to advance your career with Campus, your essential higher education guide
‘Love you infinity Mum’: Family mourns woman who died after suspected ‘mushroom’ drink
Rachael Dixon, a health practitioner from Ringwood North, died in Clunes on the weekend after consuming a suspected magic mushroom drink.
Man misidentified as Bondi Junction killer hires lawyers to sue Seven
A 20-year-old man wrongly identified by the embattled Seven Network as the Bondi Junction mass murderer has threatened defamation action against the TV network.
Opinion
Inside China
China’s Xi Jinping might have to revise his five-year plan
China’s latest economic data highlights a glut of excess capacity and a flood of cheap exports, which is generating a growing backlash from a number of its trading partners.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Parents ‘absolutely livid’ after parking outside private school restricted
Parents at a private school in Melbourne’s east are up in arms over changes to parking rules that mean they cannot park outside the school to drop off and pick up their children.
‘Fascinating ... stirs the pot’: Jury candidates air views of Trump as hush money trial proceeds
Without his usual bravado and bluster, and once again appearing in court without his wife Melania by his side, Trump looked more like a weary, ordinary man.
‘Tipped me over the edge’: Port’s Finlayson slams three-match ban for homophobic slur
Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson said his three-match ban for using a homophobic slur on the field had pissed him off, in a podcast episode that has since been removed.
Australia’s Olympic uniforms go for gold by ditching the green
The fashion capital of Paris has influenced the Australian team’s opening ceremony uniforms.
Review
West Melbourne
This quiet neighbourhood gem is as DIY as it gets, but you probably won’t mind
Whitebark isn’t a destination but if you’re looking for somewhere small and neighbourly, it might be just the spot.
Warships, drones, missiles: Defence to get extra $50b over next decade
Defence spending is set to rise to $100 billion a year by 2034 as the government pumps an extra $50 billion into the nation’s military over the next decade.
Rio Tinto says global economy resilient, inflation easing despite patchy China
Shipments of its key commodity iron ore fell over the past three months as bad weather disrupted Rio’s ports, the mining giant said.
‘Take me to Gaza’: Iranian detainee prefers wartorn strip to home country
The High Court is hearing a legal bid for freedom from the immigration detainee, given the pseudonym ASF17, who is refusing to co-operate with government attempts to send him back to Iran.
A year’s rainfall all at once: Floods disrupt Dubai flights as deadly deluge soaks parts of the Middle East
Already more than 120 millimetres of rain had soaked the UAE — the typical average for a year in the desert nation — with more expected in the coming hours.
‘I will play on the PGA Tour for the rest of my career’: McIlroy quashes LIV talk
Rory McIlroy has poured cold water on what would have been one of sport’s greatest about-faces after reports linked him to a $1.5 billion deal to join the breakaway tour.
Israeli artist shuts down Biennale show, urging ceasefire
The Israeli government paid about half the costs of Israel’s pavilion at Venice and was not informed in advance about the protest.
Why everything you thought about preheating your oven may be wrong
Alice Zaslavsky settles the debate once and for all in the interests of saving time, energy, and money every time we cook.
The role of RBG was written for Heather Mitchell. It’s easy to understand why
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a pioneer for women in law. Sarah Krasnostein followed in her wake and says Mitchell channels a ‘strange’ connection with the Supreme Court Justice.
BONDI JUNCTION TRAGEDY
From an aspiring teacher keen to meet others, to a murderous loner
The parents of the Bondi Junction killer have spoken of his descent from country school kid to national “monster”, against the backdrop of untreated mental illness.
Bondi Junction victim was a junior sports star in Victoria and selected to bear Olympic torch
As a junior sports star, Ashlee Good was chosen for the Olympic torch relay in 2000.
Victoria
These schools won funding for essential upgrades. But others might miss out
More than 60 public schools will get money for much-needed works, but the one-off funding program is expiring with no commitment for its renewal. See if your school made the list.
Exclusive
Victorian budget
‘Points to bad budgeting’: State treasury asked for emergency cash to cover interest bill
The Department of Treasury and Finance asked Treasurer Tim Pallas for extra money to cover the interest payments on the state’s debt portfolio, weeks before last year’s budget.
Exclusive
Crime
Mushroom death mystery at wellness seminar triggers police probe
Police are investigating if psychedelic “magic mushrooms” were used in a drink consumed by a woman who later became unwell and died at a wellness event in Clunes.
Debra found the plot of her pioneer ancestor’s grave. But a stranger’s headstone was on it
It happens at least once a week. Someone will ask Debra Tranter, head of trustees at Castlemaine Cemetery, where their relative is buried, and she has to tell them the grave no longer exists.
Les Twentyman wrote his own eulogy. These are his parting words
The Victorian premier told mourners at Twentyman’s state funeral that the eulogy was typical of a man who always “downplayed the enormous difference he made”.
AFL
AFL Briefing
Lion’s lifeline: Cameron escapes with fine as tribunal notes ‘a rare case’
Charlie Cameron’s clean record over more than 200 games paid dividends after the Brisbane livewire escaped with a fine at the AFL Tribunal for his sling tackle on Jake Lever.
‘Rebuilding is a myth’: Talk of Bulldogs rift ‘a total fiction’, says Beveridge
Luke Beveridge has dismissed the idea of a rift with players as “total fiction” despite controversial team selections this year, saying rebuilding is a myth and a line had not been put through any senior players.
Politics
Urge for calm after attack brings up trauma for scarred migrant communities
As the nation remains in shock over the weekend’s Bondi murders, Peter Dutton has written to Anthony Albanese offering rare bipartisan co-operation.
Business
Analysis
ETFs
Eager investors push Australian ETF market to near $200 billion
The Australian-listed ETF market has almost doubled in value during the past three years, partially due to a strong showing from bitcoin-linked funds.
World
Updated
Assange saga
Assange extradition moves closer as US provides British court with assurances
Assange’s wife Stella, whom he married while in prison in London, said the guarantees did not satisfy their concerns, describing them as “blatant weasel words”.
Opinion
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property
The Victorian tree-change towns where property prices are rising fastest
Since mid-2023, local economic conditions, plus affordability and lifestyle factors, have sparked a turnaround in property in regional Australia.
First home buyers ‘relieved’ to nab $1.256m house, beat 11 others
The three-bedroom family home attracted 12 parties at auction, where the agent joked the burger joint down the road was worth an extra bid.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Victoria Beckham spices up being 50 as newest member of ‘Club Ageless’
With her youthful appearance, the designer and one-time pop star is part of the changing face of older women in fashion.
Culture
Gen Z has discovered why Conan O’Brien was the best late-night TV host of all time
A viral appearance on Hot Wings has introduced O’Brien to a new audience. We take a look at some of the funniest moments over the decades.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Podcast episode pulled after Finlayson hits out at ban for homophobic slur
Port Adelaide’s Jeremy Finlayson said his three-match ban for using a homophobic slur on the field had pissed him off, in a podcast episode that has since been removed.
Money Talks
West Coast Eagles
Why Harley Reid could prove to be football’s biggest bargain
The decision by the AFLPA to make standard the first three years of a player’s contract is a bonus for the Eagles and other clubs with early draft picks in this year’s draft, but it has upset many player managers.
Tarzan, a Titanic survivor and birth of athletes’ village
With 100 days until the French capital hosts its first Olympics in a century, here are 10 fun facts from the last time the City of Love hosted the Games.
‘I will play on the PGA Tour for the rest of my career’: McIlroy quashes LIV talk
Rory McIlroy has poured cold water on what would have been one of sport’s greatest about-faces after reports linked him to a $1.5 billion deal to join the breakaway tour.
Revealed: The secret talks that could transform Australian netball
An expansion of the Super Netball league to include teams from New Zealand has been discussed as part of secret talks between Netball Australia and their counterparts across the ditch.
Exclusive
AFLW
Once banned from playing, AFLW’s new boss will launch next phase of footy
AFLW general manager Emma Moore will report to the game’s football boss, Laura Kane. Both say they would not be expanding the AFLW season further until TV and match-day audiences justify it.
Xavi fumes as Barcelona eliminated from Champions League after Mbappe double
PSG’s push for an elusive title is alive after a come-from-behind win over Barcelona put them into the final four, where they will face Borussia Dortmund.
Have Your Say
Four Points: Reality bites as Hawks sink to 54-year low; Bevo’s Bulldogs out of tune
The Hawks haven’t started a season this badly since 1970, and if they lose to the Kangaroos this week, the heat will turn right up, while at the Bulldogs, Luke Beveridge is experimenting with new material, but diehard fans are not convinced.
Peter Ryan
Sports reporter
