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.
Exclusive
Victorian budget
Hospitals put on notice: no bailouts if budgets blow out
Victoria’s hospitals have been warned they have to rein in rising cost blowouts and they will not be bailed out if they go over budget, stoking fears of amalgamations and eroded patient care.
Exclusive
Education
One single A4 sheet is all that justifies a $1.2 billion school program
It was billed as an important program for students catching up after COVID. But any evidence about the program’s effectiveness is being kept from teachers, schools and parents.
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Neither Israel nor Hamas is winning. Measured against their stated aims, they can’t
Netanyahu has said that Israel will fight “until Hamas is eliminated – until absolute victory”. But as long as there’s Israel, there will be Hamas.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
$9.3 billion: Chalmers lands the surplus double in third federal budget
Treasurer Jim Chalmers will attempt to reduce cost pressures on Australians while investing in a new manufacturing future in his third budget on Tuesday.
Cut reliance on Chinese and Indian students, government tells universities
University chiefs are being told to channel international students into courses that fill Australian skills shortages, deepening a dispute over plans to cap their annual intake.
Pokies will close six hours a day, but gambling losses are expected to increase
Losses from poker machines are expected to keep rising – despite the introduction of forced early morning closures – with no deadline yet set for broader reforms that were touted as the strongest in the country.
‘Love it out here’: What it costs to live in Melbourne’s top suburbs for wellbeing
The wellbeing factor of suburbs has been measured on indicators such as jobs, income, health and environment. But it comes at a price.
I teased a friend who moved to this daggy suburb. Then I joined her – and fell in love
After a fruitless search in cooler suburbs, my partner and I ended up in this suburb, thinking we wouldn’t stay long. Twenty-five years and two extensions later, we’re still here.
The secret to saving a fortune on a Gold Coast holiday
If you have the flexibility, the best time for a short break is when even locals aren’t out and about.
Newly re-signed Ugle-Hagan declares Beveridge is the Bulldogs’ man
Western Bulldogs young gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has thrown his support behind embattled coach Luke Beveridge and believes a selfless mindset can unlock their forward line’s potential.
Analysis
AFL 2024
The Richmond recession: Its underlying causes, and the Tigers’ way out
To strip back the playing ranks to near ground zero would be a road to prolonged recession. Richmond people well know what that looks like.
Soaring production costs push Opera Australia to a loss as audiences shy away from early ticket purchases
Increasing costs and an ambitious production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle have contributed to an operating loss of $4.9m for the nation’s biggest arts company.
Opinion
US Votes 2024
In the president v the porn star, Stormy Daniels is a legal dominatrix
The compelling part of this case is not whether Donald Trump did something wrong with business papers, but how it shows – in a vivid way – that he’s the wrong man for the job.
Maureen Dowd
New York Times columnist
Drugs allegedly mailed to Australian in Bali were gift in toothpaste tube: lawyer
Australian Troy Smith was holidaying with his wife in Bali when he was allegedly caught with methamphetamine.
Elon Musk’s Aussie chair battles shareholders over Tesla boss’s billions
Robyn Denholm, Tesla’s Australian-born chair, is seeking to reverse a judge’s ruling regarding Elon Musk’s $56 billion pay package.
It’s hip to be grown-up at day one of Australian Fashion Week
Wearable collections are the surprising new runway trend brands thanks to a mature approach to business and design.
They’ve long made waves in Sydney, now these decorated hospitality veterans will open a restaurant and basement bar in Melbourne
Get ready for lots of seafood and Iberian influences at the latest projects from decorated restaurant couple Ross and Sunny Lusted.
★★★★
Airline reviews
Bravo to this Virgin crew. Boo to the same old food
The crew starts things off well by reorganising seating to give passengers some extra room, and then gets extra points for calming a situation that could have forced the plane to be turned around.
Victoria
‘Iron Dan’ Andrews’ next career move aligns with Twiggy’s green dream
They’re both well-known for having a certain – let’s call it single-minded – management style, what happens if differences emerge on strategy or tactics?
Miss out on aurora australis? The southern lights’ splendour could fill our skies again soon
Stargazers flocked to bayside Melbourne and coastal Victoria overnight hoping to enjoy a glimpse of the southern lights after Saturday’s extraordinary display. They were left disappointed – but there’s still hope.
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 they could do more harm than good.
Exclusive
Public housing
Building unions, Labor branches clash with state on housing towers demolition
Influential construction unions have joined more than 30 Labor branches in contesting the Allan government’s plans to redevelop Melbourne’s 44 public housing towers.
How a small fleet won over the deep pull of recreational fishing
After the 2018 election, commercial nets were fast being banned in waters across the state. But a quiet little pocket of the bay fought back - and won. In Corner Inlet, the story is now a local legend.
AFL 2024
Four Points
Gold Coast don’t need more pimply kids, but the Tigers do: Why a Rioli trade could be on
The Suns are interested in talented Tiger Daniel Rioli, and a trade could be mutually beneficial for both parties.
From Wang with love: Joe Richards on his long road to a Magpies debut
From teaching special education in Wangaratta, to starring for the AFL’s reigning premiers – Joe Richards has taken the long road to the AFL.
Politics
Exclusive
Asylum seekers
Third boat arrival detected in a week, but none taken to Nauru as yet
Four Vietnamese asylum seekers intercepted by Border Force off the coast of Broome last week were detained after 38 people from two other boats were also picked up.
Business
‘Leaderless and depleted’ Star not ready for casino licence, inquiry told
Counsel assisting the NSW inquiry into The Star said it was clear the casino was not ready to operate independently and it should remain under external management.
World
Mona Lisa, where are you? In Lecco, as it turns out
A mash-up of geology and art history has allowed a geologist to pinpoint the likely setting for one of the world’s most famous paintings.
Analysis
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Sinwar drew up the attack that started the war in Gaza. Now he’s key to ending it
Patrick Kingsley, Julian Barnes and Adam Rasgon
Opinion
The US is tightening the screws on China
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Too often, alcohol and family violence go together. We need to separate them
Kym Valentine
Actor, family violence survivor-advocate
Expelling problem students sounds impressive. But all it does is pass the buck
Adam Voigt
CEO and former principal
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Property
Downsizers outbid young couples for $4m Hawthorn East house
The home, which had a guide of $3.5 to $3.8 million, had drawn the interest of young couples as well due to nearby schools.
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.
Good Food
Lifestyle
It’s hip to be grown-up at day one of Australian Fashion Week
Wearable collections are the surprising new runway trend brands thanks to a mature approach to business and design.
Culture
While his band was away on tour, a military coup erupted at home
On new album Funeral for Justice, Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar lets rip ferocious riffs steeped in urgent anti-colonialism.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2024
The Richmond recession: Its underlying causes, and the Tigers’ way out
To strip back the playing ranks to near ground zero would be a road to prolonged recession. Richmond people know too well what that looks like.
Analysis
Australian cricket
His career pre-dates YouTube and Facebook, now Anderson’s exit sets stage for a Bazball Ashes assault
They admired his skill and sometimes were taken aback by his sledging. How Jimmy Anderson was seen through Australian eyes.
Analysis
AFL 2024
A reminder that footy is just a game, and why Dees need Petracca to be their Dusty: Key takeouts from round nine
The outpouring of grief for Cam McCarthy underpinned round nine and showed us that footballers are as fragile as the rest of us, while Christian Petracca gave us a glimpse of what might be the answer to Melbourne’s forward woes.
Newly re-signed Ugle-Hagan declares Beveridge is the Bulldogs’ man
Western Bulldogs young gun Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has thrown his support behind embattled coach Luke Beveridge and believes a selfless mindset can unlock their forward line’s potential.
From Wangaratta with love: Joe Richards on his long road to a Magpies debut
From teaching special education in Wangaratta, to starring for the AFL’s reigning premiers – Joe Richards has taken the long road to the AFL.
Four Points
AFL 2024
Gold Coast don’t need more pimply kids, but the Tigers do: Why a Rioli trade could be on
The Suns are interested in talented Tiger Daniel Rioli, and a trade could be mutually beneficial for both parties.
‘Nausea, dizziness, blood’: Djokovic says bottle blow still affecting him after shock loss
The world No.1 was comfortably beaten in the third round of the Italian Open, two days after being struck on the head by a bottle that fell from a fan’s backpack.
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.