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The Drop podcast
Your weekly hit of the most interesting pop culture news, reviews and recommendations.
The Traveller Quiz
Are you an expert traveller? Test your knowledge with our weekly travel quiz.
Exclusive
Investigations
Screenshot found on Peter Bol’s phone contained doping information
The Australian runner’s lawyer labelled the discovery meaningless and its airing by WADA an appalling attempt to shirk responsibility for falsely accusing his client of doping.
More than 1 million NSW homes eligible for solar battery rebate
A day after extending the life of the country’s largest coal-fired power plant, the NSW government is offering cash incentives for solar storage.
World Court orders Israel to halt assault on Rafah
While the ICJ has no means to enforce its orders, the case was a stark sign of Israel’s global isolation over its campaign in Gaza.
Exclusive
Title Deeds
Peak Sydney: House bought in 1978 for $325,000 resold for more than $80m
The off-market sale of the Rockleigh mansion makes it Sydney’s highest house sale this year, to date, and ranks in the city’s top five house deals of all time.
Adelaide woman injured during horror flight has no feeling below the waist
Almost half the 211 passengers on Singapore Airlines flight 321 were injured in what has become one of the most serious turbulence events in modern aviation history.
Should Australia have a new taxpayer-owned bank?
A Nationals-led Senate inquiry into bank branch closures has urged the government to investigate the establishment of a bank owned by taxpayers.
Former sex crimes detective guilty of groping teen, not guilty of rape
A jury also found Glen Coleman abused his position of public office. Now, it can be revealed he faces a second trial on other serious offences.
Winners and losers emerge at News Corp as staff brace for wide-ranging job cuts
News Corp is expected to unveil a flatter management structure, with casualties expected in middle management and senior editor ranks.
Triple shooting: Two dead, one injured at Perth home
Police confirmed two people are dead and one has been taken to hospital in Perth after neighbours heard shots being fired on Friday afternoon.
Updated
Friendlies
Irankunda wants Socceroos call-up; Matildas stars escape exhibition match unscathed
The Bayern Munich-bound wunderkind won’t rule out a switch of international allegiances, while Matildas stars ready for national camp next week.
Sea Eagles 26 Storm 20
NRL 2024
Manly hold off late Melbourne surge to end three-match losing streak
Battle of Brookvale anyone? The Sea Eagles were hoping to finally bank a win after leaving six points on the turf in recent weeks – and they did.
Cowboys 42 Tigers 28
North Queensland Cowboys
Cowboys pull clear to stroll to victory over the Tigers
Friday’s double-header kicked off with two sides looking to keep pace with the top eight, but was the Cowboys who came out on top.
‘Couldn’t be more ready’: Hannay speaks on Eels interest
Josh Hannay has purposely distanced himself from recent coaching opportunities. However, the top job at Parramatta is a different proposition.
Injury threatens Hooper’s Paris Olympics sevens dream
Less than a year after missing Rugby World Cup selection, Michael Hooper is facing more heartbreak.
★★★★★
Ship reviews
The world’s biggest cruise ship is insanely perfect
These giant ships are not everyone’s cup of tea, but for families who see the advantage of an all-in-one, something-for-everyone holiday, they’re just the thing.
What does it say when Taylor Swift isn’t enough to save a brand?
Is a celebrity endorsement enough to drive sales? The recent shuttering of two high-profile fashion brands suggests not.
What’s the best way to spend a 15-hour layover in Ho Chi Minh?
If you want to leave the airport you’ll need an electronic visa, but beware of scam websites.
WEEKEND READS
Two of Us
‘You’re from the in-flight magazine’: How Tim Rogers and Alice Topp fell in love
After two failed attempts at a relationship, musician Tim Rogers and choreographer Alice Topp have made a home among the kangaroos in rural Victoria.
He loves death metal – and a girl. Helping a teen with autism find his rhythm
A support worker on a young man navigating life – in a world that hits him differently to others.
Sydney
Exclusive
Courts
‘He didn’t have a chance’: Luke went to his new job in the morning. He never came home
Luke Bray, 24, wasn’t even supposed to be at work that day. His mother wants answers.
Bruce Lehrmann pursued by former landlord over alleged property damage
The owner of a luxury Sydney pad where Bruce Lehrmann lived rent-free under a deal with the Seven Network has appeared for the first time in a NSW tribunal.
Graphic content
Defamation
Vile voice messages to Alex Greenwich played in defamation case
The Sydney MP is suing ex-NSW One Nation leader Mark Latham for defamation over a tweet he says unleashed a wave of vitriol, including explicit voice messages.
Graphic content
Crime
Marrickville stabbing was premeditated, police allege
Police say a man planned the stabbing of his brother and mother in their inner-west Sydney home, the attack unfolding while their father was in the shower.
Sydney’s undercover wartime lookout post reopens after ‘labour of love’
An abandoned, empty and crumbling military base will be opened to the public after a two-year restoration project.
NRL 2024
Sea Eagles 26 Storm 20
Young star shines on debut as Sea Eagles snap three-match losing streak
‘Couldn’t be more ready’: Hannay speaks on Eels interest
Josh Hannay has purposely distanced himself from recent coaching opportunities. However, the top job at Parramatta is a different proposition.
Analysis
We asked data nerds to pick the NSW Origin team. Here is who they selected
The team have been in the lab crunching the numbers, our experts have their say and we also get AI on board for the NSW campaign.
Politics
Aerial shooting culls thousands of horses in Kosciuszko
NSW government is ramping up the removal of feral horses from the alpine environment with a controversial technique.
Business
MediSecure patient data up for sale on Russian hacking forum
A hacker claiming to have the stolen data of thousands of Australian patients is selling it for $US50,000.
World
Analysis
UK election
Besides rain and bad polls, Sunak also must contend with ghosts
Two key figures, adored and detested by their respective tribes in equal measure, will make life harder for Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
Opinion
Explore
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Property
He sold his studio to Netflix for $700m. Then he went on a $120m property spree
The Animal Logic co-founder has taken to real estate in a big way in recent years, and his $12 million Byron Bay cash buy is just his latest acquisition.
‘It’s stupid, the system is broken’: The housing crisis gets worse
Workers are feeling “pretty distressed” to realise the basics of life have slipped further out of reach than even in the recent past.
Good Food
Lifestyle
What does it say when Taylor Swift isn’t enough to save a brand?
Is a celebrity endorsement enough to drive sales? The recent shuttering of two high-profile fashion brands suggests not.
Culture
‘Brilliant’ but ‘basically repugnant’: How we reviewed the first Mad Max
With the fifth instalment in the franchise hitting screens this week, we took a look at how The Sydney Morning Herald reviewed the first, now iconic, film.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Maguire’s super Saturday: Three games and 20 players who could make or break the Blues
The NSW coach will watch three matches involving no fewer than 20 NSW hopefuls in what amounts to their final Origin audition.
Updated
Friendlies
Irankunda wants Socceroos call-up; Matildas stars escape exhibition match unscathed
The Bayern Munich-bound wunderkind won’t rule out a switch of international allegiances, while Matildas stars ready for national camp next week.
Sea Eagles 26 Storm 20
NRL 2024
Young star shines on debut as Sea Eagles snap three-match losing streak
Manly’s third-string fullback, teenager Lehi Hopoate, had an NRL debut to remember, lifting his team to a much-needed win against arch rivals Melbourne.
Opinion
The Fitz Files
PNG league team is a great idea – but why should we pay for it?
Albo’s mob is talking about putting in $60 million annually for 10 years to sustain the Port Moresby team. Something does not add up here.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
This is the hardest Wallabies squad to pick in a decade, but there is a core to build around
After the World Cup car crash, the Wallabies squad is wide open for July’s Tests. From now on, every game in Super Rugby will be a virtual final, or a real one. There really are Wallabies jerseys up for grabs.
Analysis
NRL 2024
No-fault stand-down policy isn’t perfect, but NRL has little alternative
You can argue the stand-down rules are neither an effective deterrent nor a fair punishment – but that’s not the point of them.
Analysis
State of Origin
We asked data nerds to pick the NSW Origin team. Here is who they selected
The team have been in the lab crunching the numbers, our experts have their say and we also get AI on board for the NSW campaign.
Have Your Say
Maguire’s call on Tedesco will decide NSW’s Origin fate
He’s not only the fullback but also the incumbent captain, so the decision Maguire makes about the Roosters No.1 will have major implications for the Blues’ campaign.
Roy Masters
Sports Columnist
