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Sunday Life
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Live Well newsletter
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition.
The budget promises good news on inflation and rates – but there’s a flipside
Inflation has not been within the Reserve Bank’s target band for a decade. Tuesday’s budget will forecast it slipping below 3 per cent by year’s end.
Exclusive
Immigration
Inside Labor’s drastic cap on overseas students – and the urgent meeting it triggered
Universities will be forced to stop a surge in overseas students, sparking fears about the impact on the $48 billion industry.
Opinion
Housing crisis
Housing system is broke and broken. Government alone can’t solve this crisis
No silver bullet is going to fix our housing woes, but there is a window of opportunity through which real and significant change can occur.
Scott Langford
Shoot the aurora australis like a pro – even on a smartphone
These stunning photos of the southern lights were taken by a professional, but most smartphones can take top shots too.
Aurora australis stuns Australian stargazers – and you can still watch it
Don’t fret if you missed out on seeing the southern lights that dazzled Australians on Saturday night – you’ll have another chance until Monday morning.
Opinion
Domestic violence
Too often, alcohol and family violence go together. Now, we need to separate them
The kids who hide in closets and bathrooms – hearing furniture being thrown and adults screaming – know that when drinking is involved, it’s like pouring petrol on a bonfire.
Kym Valentine
Actor, family violence survivor-advocate
Four Points
AFL 2024
Sleeping giants have awoken: The signs these Bombers are finally the real deal
Essendon are different this year. They have changed and improved, and Brad Scott has them playing a vastly better style of football.
Form no longer concerns McRae as Magpies return to top eight, but injury list grows
Collingwood suffered three more injuries in the win over West Coast, but have forced their way into the top eight and their form is improving by the week.
Jim Chalmers’ Sunday run began at 3.46am. This is his warm-up for the budget
Two days out from Labor’s third federal budget, this masthead was granted behind the scenes access to observe Jim Chalmers preparing to hand down what could be his last budget before the election.
Exclusive
Illness
This comfort home item is a winter warmer but could be harming your neighbours
Many of us have fond memories of huddling around a wood heater or fire pit in winter. But are they doing more harm than good?
How (and where) to snag a fish in Melbourne and regional Victoria
Victorians are hooked on fishing. Here are some expert tips to increase your chances of success.
‘She looked as though she was dying’: The Australian show that saw the unravelling of a diva
When Judy Garland arrived at Mascot Airport, customs officials made a decision that would likely prove fateful.
Skinnier, lighter eyebrows are back, but with a modern twist
Bleaching your brows could be an excellent starting point to avoid the ’90s over-plucked look.
I lost my mother at age four, but these women were always there for me
Whenever somebody said, “Ya mum,” I’d always smile to myself. “Which one are you talking about? I have many incredible mothers.”
Explainer
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a key technology defining this century. It’s a gold rush for Australia
In the quantum realm, the laws of physics are different. Now its mind-bending tech could soon transform our lives. How does it work?
The brazenly honest Beauty and the Geek pair taking on Travel Guides
Former reality show contestants Karly Fisher and Bri Auty have replaced “outback cowgirl twins” Stacks and Mel on Nine’s chaotic race around the world.
12 highly giftable cookbooks for every type of cook
From Seoul to Istanbul, Italy to the Philippines, these are the best kitchen tomes.
Victoria
Brunswick’s ‘sky rail’ has been delayed. This is what locals want
Advocates have presented their wish list to the government, saying the delay is an opportunity for major change before the Upfield line is ripped up.
Exclusive
Healthcare
Anna lives in agony and should have had surgery within 90 days. She has been waiting two years
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas once vowed she wouldn’t accept “anything less” than an ambitious goal of 240,000 surgeries a year. Now, the state has cut the target before it was ever achieved.
The $600 million economic shock buried in the state budget papers
The state government’s budget predictions hinge on a consumer spending splurge that may never materialise.
The battle against the apps and algorithms driving suburban rat-runs
Motorists are increasingly clogging up residential streets, directed by GPS apps such as Google Maps – all to save a few minutes.
The helping hand that taught Shae how to connect with her baby
Shae Bradshaw had hoped once her baby daughter was born all her fears about being a failure as a mother would disappear.
AFL 2024
Analysis
The moment star Tiger would want back in horror loss to Dogs
Throughout their previous seven defeats, Richmond had performed admirably while undermanned, competing hard only to be overwhelmed late by more experienced teams. Not so against the Dogs.
‘We are like neutered dogs’: Lyon hits out after Saints’ loss to Hawks
A frustrated Ross Lyon has compared AFL coaches to neutered dogs who cannot properly direct their teams during a match because of the league’s severe restrictions on the use of runners.
Politics
Exclusive
Immigration
International students are trying to stay on in record numbers
Coalition sources said immigration and homeownership would be central to Peter Dutton’s budget-in-reply speech as he develops an anti-“Big Australia” election narrative.
Business
Analysis
Aviation
The undoing of Bonza: Can Bazza, Sheila and Bruce be rescued?
Bonza has farewelled the first of its five seized aircraft as it sets off for less financially stricken pastures. Now, the company’s administrators turn to facing its 60,000 creditors and $100 million in unpaid debts.
World
Meghan named ‘Ifeoma’ in Nigeria on first visit after doing genealogy test
The Duchess of Sussex acknowledged Nigeria as “my country” during her trip with Prince Harry, who met her after a visit to the UK.
Opinion
Nothing good comes from having a sexbot as your first intimate encounter
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
When it comes to names, does Elon Musk have the X-Factor?
David Astle
Crossword compiler and ABC Radio Melbourne presenter
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Property
First home buyers pay $1.3m for ‘very cool, retro house’ in Brunswick East
The sell-off of ex-rental properties across Melbourne is benefiting first home buyers.
Melbourne suburbs with the most distressed property sales
Financial strain has caused some Melbourne homeowners to reach a tipping point and list their home for urgent sale.
Good Food
Lifestyle
I lost my mother at age four, but these women were always there for me
Whenever somebody said, “Ya mum,” I’d always smile to myself. “Which one are you talking about? I have many incredible mothers.”
Culture
Eurovision, marred by disqualification and huge protests, crowns Switzerland
The world’s craziest singing competition sailed into uncharted territory as politics and protests collided.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Four Points
AFL 2024
Sleeping giants have awoken: The signs these Bombers are finally the real deal
Essendon are different this year. They have changed and improved, and Brad Scott has them playing a vastly better style of football.
Form no longer concerns McRae as Magpies return to top eight, but injury list grows
Collingwood suffered three more injuries in the win over West Coast, but have forced their way into the top eight and their form is improving by the week.
Magpies’ injury woes deepen despite thumping win; Crows and Lions in second draw of the season
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions as the Sunday games play out for round nine.
Exclusive
Australian cricket
Where is our next Uzzie? Why cricket hasn’t yet made the most of its fastest growing migrant group
Reeve is a talented kid who dreams of playing cricket for Australia, and he is part of the growing cohort at grassroots level of south Asian heritage. But at the top level, numbers are dwindling.
‘Farcical scenes’: Lightning lose netball match after thinking they’d won, but the result will stand
Sunshine Coast Lightning played keeping-off in the final 30 seconds of ordinary time, thinking they had a 71-70 lead. But replays later showed the scoreboard was wrong, and they were forced to play extra time.
Analysis
AFL 2024
The moment star Tiger would want back in horror loss to Dogs
Throughout their previous seven defeats, Richmond had performed admirably while undermanned, competing hard only to be overwhelmed late by more experienced teams. Not so against the Dogs.
Sunday sport quiz: A Rocky Balboa story and a Kentucky Derby test
Challenge yourself with our sports quiz, a mix of questions about the latest in world and local sport, and the big events in sporting history.
Have Your Say
Cameron out with delayed concussion but AFL clears Cats
Geelong have been cleared of breaching the AFL rules, despite the Cats revealing on Saturday that key forward Jeremy Cameron had been diagnosed with delayed concussion from a heavy head knock on Friday night.