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Virus soup making Victorians sick could get worse before it gets better
Xavier complained of a headache. Within hours, he was having seizures in hospital. The five-year-old is one of the rising number of Victorians falling victim to the flu, COVID-19 or RSV.
Broken love pact at centre of campers’ long-time affair
A Supreme Court jury has been taken inside the long-term affair between Russell Hill and Carol Clay before they were allegedly murdered together on a camping trip.
Melbourne Uni warns students police could enter campus at any time
Classes in one building have been cancelled for a third day, but authorities have held off from calling for support to remove pro-Palestinian protesters.
The servo sails set for heritage protection and what makes them special
The sails on the West Gate service stations are set to be protected by a heritage overlay after the canopies were found to be of local significance.
Exclusive
AFL 2024
The footy club whose Auskick sausage sizzle has come under fire
A parent has asked her son’s football club in South Melbourne to scrap snags from its weekend barbecues on the grounds of animal cruelty and health concerns.
Two arrested after allegedly vandalising world’s oldest dragon
Police allege the pair sprayed oily liquid on two dragons and other statues and paintings at the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo.
Opinion
Arts
Gina, I too have suffered an unflattering image and yes, it burns
The art world has apparently had a gutful of celebs trying to bury unflattering portraits. Australia’s richest person could learn from King Charles, who took his latest mauling on the chin.
Bianca O'Neill
Contributor
Exclusive
Indigenous art
The other portrait Gina Rinehart wants removed from the National Gallery
Supporters of the mining magnate want a second portrait pulled from the walls of the National Gallery of Australia.
‘Chaos reigns’: The countries that have dodged Australia’s student visa crackdown
The government wants universities to cut their reliance on this market. It’s also a country with one of the highest visa approval rates.
I watched nothing but ABC iview for a week. Here’s what I learnt
I spend $962 a year on streaming services. This is what happened when I gave up everything except the ABC’s free streaming platform.
Exclusive
New music
How Billie Eilish reckoned with fame to create her astonishing new album
In an exclusive interview, the 22-year-old dual Oscar winner opens up about making her new album and how the process transformed her.
Collingwood have a recruiting zone the size of Italy. It’s yet to produce a single player
The AFL shocked recruiters last month when it told them they needed to draft more Indigenous players to fix declining numbers in the league, sparking a much-needed conversation on how to reverse a worrying trend.
Knife-wielding attacker abducts young mother, baby in carpark horror
A school teacher and her six-month-old baby were held for two hours by a thief who forced her to buy him computers at stores across Melbourne’s southeast.
Exclusive
City life
The court fight that could kill off a rail line to a booming suburb
For 24 years, residents in these booming fringe suburbs have waited for a train line, but a VCAT dispute could halt the project before it even begins.
Sex, politics, money, power...and a blockbuster case: Trump’s trial is pure box office
Some people, not all Trump supporters, are so keen to witness history, they are paying others by the hour to save them a place in the queue.
Breaking
Crime
NRL star’s father could face death penalty in Indonesia following drug arrest
Indonesian authorities have been hunting accused drug trafficker Gregor Johann Haas since December last year. They arrested him on Wednesday with help from Philippine police.
SEE & DO
Who stole Picasso’s Weeping Woman? This novel could have the answer
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction releases, including historical fiction, a ripping yarn about the Labor Party and MasterChef inaugural winner Julie Goodwin’s memoir.
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
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 50-metre ‘missing link’ fix that will open new cross-city tram routes
For almost a century, two sections of Melbourne’s sprawling tram network have passed tantalisingly close together outside Queen Victoria Market, but never joined.
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.
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.
AFL 2024
Suns torch Cats in Darwin heat as King takes lead in Coleman race
Gold Coast had an absolute blinder in very hot and humid conditions, and kicked the highest score in the history of their club with 164 points.
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.
Politics
Dutton pledges to slash permanent 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.
Business
Lendlease sells down Asian asset ahead of investor showdown
The property giant has moved to simplify its business with the sale of life sciences interests in Asia, with chairman Michael Ullmer reportedly on his way out.
World
French officials see Azerbaijan’s foreign interference behind deadly riots in New Caledonia
Azerbaijan had invited separatists from the French territories last year, resulting in a group whose stated aim is to support “French liberation and anti-colonialist movements”.
Opinion
Peter Dutton is more than happy to help billionaires, except one
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
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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
Exclusive
Paris Paralympics 2024
Our new Paralympic team uniforms bring the right trends to the runway
Diversity, inclusion and plenty of khaki are key ingredients of the 2024 Paralympic team uniform to be unveiled at Australian Fashion Week.
Culture
Julia Gillard made history with 15 minutes of fury. Now it’s Justine Clarke’s turn
The former prime minister’s famous misogyny speech was a stunning piece of political theatre – and it’s now an acclaimed stage show.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Collingwood have a recruiting zone the size of Italy. It’s yet to produce a single player
The AFL shocked recruiters last month when it told them they needed to draft more Indigenous players to fix declining numbers in the league, sparking a much-needed conversation on how to reverse a worrying trend.
Analysis
AFL 2024
The big night in Darwin that shattered records and the Cats
It was the record-setting night that embarrassed Geelong and potentially marked Gold Coast’s belated arrival as an AFL force.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Scott’s AFL pass to discuss ‘issues’ as rotation move bites; Hawks push for Tassie showdown
Chris Scott might have been given a licence by league headquarters to discuss the big issues, such as holding the ball decisions, but his Cats have more to worry about.
Exclusive
AFL 2024
The footy club whose Auskick sausage sizzle has come under fire
A parent has asked her son’s football club in South Melbourne to scrap snags from its weekend barbecues on the grounds of animal cruelty and health concerns.
Schauffele leads PGA with record round, Smith three-under after superb save
Perennial bridesmaid Xander Schauffele came agonisingly close to the first 61 ever recorded at a major in a blistering opening round at Valhalla Golf Club.
‘Betrayed the trust of their supporters’: A-League players arrested for alleged betting corruption
Three players were charged after police uncovered an alleged corrupt betting syndicate at Sydney club Macarthur FC involving yellow card manipulation.
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.
Have Your Say
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
