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Your weekly hit of the most interesting pop culture news, reviews and recommendations.
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Exclusive
University
Police given green light to evict Melbourne Uni protesters
The University of Melbourne says campus protests against the war in Gaza have been infiltrated by outside agitators, but students reject the claim.
Dutton pledges to slash migration to 140,000 a year
In his budget reply speech, the opposition leader intensified a political fight over housing and congestion by vowing to drive permanent migration below Labor’s target.
Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto settles two defamation cases
The opposition leader had three defamation cases brought against him, but now he’s down to just one.
Australians trapped after France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia
Armed forces are protecting New Caledonia’s two airports and port after a third night of violent riots that have killed four people.
Exclusive
Indigenous art
Gold medallist led campaign to take down Gina Rinehart portrait
Kyle Chalmers and a top Australian swimming official coordinated a group of 20 elite swimmers to campaign against the National Gallery.
Opinion
Federal budget
Peter Dutton is more than happy to help billionaires, except one
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
Live
AFL 2024
Cats and Suns in early arm wrestle in hot conditions in Darwin
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions as the Cats and Suns open round 10.
Latest live posts
LoadingOlympian denies sexual misconduct, steps down from coach role
Brendan Kerry has stood down from his coaching position in Sydney as Australian skating authorities investigate the events that led the US Centre for SafeSport to impose a lifetime ban for sexual misconduct involving a minor.
AFL round 10 teams and tips: Blues make changes for Swans blockbuster
Carlton’s injury curse has forced further changes ahead of their clash with the top-of-the-table Swans on Friday night.
Weed sprayer recounts fateful camping advice to ex-pilot accused of double murder
Robbie Williams, who was working in the Wonnangatta Valley before Russell Hill and Carol Clay were killed, has told a jury a “sweaty, little fellow” had asked him where to camp.
The two suburbs due to lose 15 MCGs of open space to Victoria’s Big Build
A Melbourne mayor has warned the Victorian government, “you can’t just take, you have to give something back”, as Big Build projects gobble up suburban parklands.
Gas giants dodge tougher tax hike in Labor-Greens deal
Oil and gas producers have expressed relief after the government cut a deal with the Greens to pass a relatively modest tax hike for offshore projects.
I want to hate Bridgerton but, like any good romance, I can’t quit
It is said the heart is forever making the head a fool. Well, Bridgerton is forever making a fool of me.
If Zendaya and Sabrina Carpenter can be sexy, why can’t other former child stars?
Making the transition from child star to adulthood is hard enough without the judgement placed on young women embracing their sexuality.
Opinion
Private schools
Our friends are shocked we don’t send our son to a private school. Here’s why
As an outsider, I see Australia’s selective and private schools mainly as a mechanism that perpetuates social inequality.
Theun Pieter van Tienoven
Sociologist
Putin thanks Xi for China’s initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict
Putin’s two-day state visit to one of his strongest allies comes just as his country’s forces pressed an offensive in the most significant border incursion since the full-scale Ukraine invasion began.
SEE & DO
A talking hanky, alien invasion – is this the most silly, joyful horror film of all time?
Nick Roth and Lindsey Haun created the low-budget Hanky Panky with a camera won in a competition and a bunch of movie business pals, including Seth Green.
Bad hair day? This sexy, icky, potent display might just be the answer
A new exhibition at Heide Museum of Modern Art explores our sometimes weird relationship with hair.
Victoria
Ex-AFL star Sam Fisher cries as he’s jailed for drug trafficking
The former St Kilda footballer will spend at least three years in prison over his involvement in a cross-country drug trafficking ring.
Updated
Crime
Murder charge dropped against 12-year-old girl
A preteen girl’s murder charge has been struck out after she was earlier accused of fatally stabbing a 37-year-old woman in Footscray.
Exclusive
Victorian Parliament
More than 100,000 Victorians now have a digital licence. But there’s a hiccup
More than 100,000 Victorians have downloaded the new licences, but they can’t be used everywhere.
They sold the bike to pay for their dad’s funeral. But 12 years later, it came back
It was one of those ideas families talk about but don’t often carry out. If they could make it work, it would end years of regret.
Man allegedly lured to his death after $150,000 necklace ‘burglary’
A woman accused of luring a Colombian man to his death has been granted bailed after a judge found the case against her was “relatively weak”.
AFL 2024
Talented forward out as injury toll mounts for Blues ahead of Friday night blockbuster
Talented Carlton forward Jack Martin has injured a calf and will miss Friday night’s huge game against premiership favourites Sydney.
How the Hawks helped Bateman through the darkest point of his life
Chance Bateman is no stranger to racism in football, but it’s also where he has found a deep sense of belonging. It’s why he in honoured to have helped design Hawthorn’s Indigenous guernsey this year.
Politics
Unemployment increase reduces chance of higher interest rates
Economists say the job market is cracking under the pressure of the Reserve Bank’s aggressive interest rate hikes.
Business
Updated
Cybersecurity
Large-scale ransomware data breach hits healthcare provider
Federal police are investigating after the Melbourne-based healthcare business was targeted in a ransomware data breach.
World
Updated
World politics
Slovak PM in ‘serious but stable’ condition after assassination attempt
The central European country has been rocked after Robert Fico was shot five times in the stomach, arm and leg. A suspect has been detained.
Analysis
US Votes 2024
Why Biden wanted to debate Trump early, and why Trump said yes
Reid Epstein and Shane Goldmacher
Opinion
Wall Street just got very excited about this data. But there’s a but
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
I’ve seen what a Facebook news ban looks like – more Clive Palmer and Peta Credlin
Elise Thomas
Disinformation and conspiracy analyst
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Property
Shocking photos that reveal the reality of the housing crisis
Rents have skyrocketed, and rent assistance is set to go up in response. Even so, it’s slim pickings.
Six of our favourite luxury homes for sale right now
From an idyllic rural retreat to a modern home with in-ground trampoline, we’ve rounded up our pick of the bunch.
Good Food
Lifestyle
To keep or delete: What to do with photos of your ex on social media
Is keeping photos of your ex an indicator you haven’t moved on or a sign of maturity?
Culture
Portrait Rinehart doesn’t want you to see: Mogul demands gallery remove image
Australia’s richest person wants the National Gallery of Australia to remove a portrait of her from an exhibition by Archibald Prize-winning Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira.
Traveller
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Sport
Opinion
AFL 2024
The stats that show why the AFL should undo Hocking’s rule changes
The AFL’s implementation of the six-six-six rule and other recent changes have failed to deliver on the promises of enhanced scoring and improving the game’s look. Instead, we have confusion.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
Live
AFL 2024
AFL 2024 round 10 LIVE updates: Cats and Suns in early arm wrestle in hot conditions in Darwin
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions as the Cats and Suns open round 10.
AFL round 10 teams and tips: Blues make changes for Swans blockbuster
Carlton’s injury curse has forced further changes ahead of their clash with the top-of-the-table Swans on Friday night.
Analysis
Women’s Asian Cup
Matildas’ encore on home soil cause for excitement for fans and FA alike
The buzz of the Women’s World Cup has been and gone, but another dose is coming, with official confirmation that the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup will be played in Australia.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Blues not pointing finger at fitness boss; Lyon lauds Indigenous ‘fight’
Michael Voss says injury-ravaged Carlton will solve their woes together, as a spate of soft-tissue injuries jeopardise their flag tilt, while St Kilda coach Ross Lyon wants Sir Doug Nicholls round to celebrate both the “fight” and the achievements of Indigenous players.
Talented forward out as injury toll mounts for Blues
Talented Carlton forward Jack Martin has injured a calf and will miss Friday night’s huge game against premiership favourites Sydney.
Finals swansong? Rebels could make history in last home game
Uncertain whether they will exist in 2025, the Melbourne Rebels may be running out at AAMI Park for the last time on Friday. But they have much to play for.
Have Your Say
The list-demographics sweet spot fuelling the high-flying Bombers in 2024
We should have seen Essendon’s uprising coming – and the reason why helps explain two other fringe Melbourne-based finals contenders not meeting external expectations.
