Morning Edition newsletter
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Good Weekend Talks
In-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts.
Sunday Life
Indulge in the best ‘me time’ reading with our new digital magazine edition.
The YIMBY movement has made it to Melbourne. Their war on urban sprawl begins with unlocking these suburbs
The YIMBYs want to rewrite the planning rules, scrap heritage overlays and start a housing revolution. And they have the ear of government.
Exclusive
Discrimination
New hate speech laws to raise criminal penalties
New laws to be introduced into a highly charged political context will make it a criminal offence to vilify a person based on race, sexuality, gender, disability or religion.
Blood thinners, antibiotics among hundreds of medicines in short supply
More than 420 medicines are in short supply, including hormone replacement therapies. Medical experts warn the shortages are at best frustrating and at worst dangerous.
The ‘unusual’ solution to end long-running battle over hedges in leafy suburbs
Long-standing feuds between hedge lovers and neighbours fed up with conifers encroaching on footpaths are being tackled with a creative solution.
Exclusive
Art
Why long-time supporters want controversial sculpture to be heritage listed now
Ron Robertson-Swann’s sculpture Vault has had its share of admirers and detractors across more than four decades. Now it is destined for heritage listing.
Opinion
Immigration
Immigration cuts only work if women have more babies. Dutton knows they won’t
Our real population problem is not one of excess. Birth rates are declining.
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
Explainer
Evolution
No more ‘Homo stupidus’: Why Neanderthals are getting a makeover
They were shrewd, complex and creative, and we shared the planet with them (and other types of humans) for thousands of years. So why did the Neanderthals die out and not us?
Sunak vows to bring back national service for British school leavers
Rishi Sunak’s plan for 18-year-olds would create a renewed sense of pride in the UK, he said, as the prime minister faces internal and external political pressures.
Opinion
Cryptocurrencies
Don’t be fooled by record prices, crypto is still as unsafe as ever
The introduction of crypto ETFs has sent investors into a frenzy. But it’s important to remember that the market is still unregulated and volatile.
Victoria Devine
Money columnist
Analysis
Draft
Why cashed-up clubs face a struggle - of the AFL’s making - to entice star players
The AFL’s new pay deal has created space everywhere, and smaller clubs have to offer more than money when competing against the powerhouses for signatures.
Piastri to start on front row in Monaco as Verstappen’s record run ends
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ended Max Verstappen’s record-equalling run of Formula 1 pole positions and made himself favourite to become the first home winner of the Monaco Grand Prix since 1931.
Adam Walton learnt tennis at a racetrack. Now he’s at Roland-Garros
Australian Adam Walton broke into world tennis’ top 100 last week. His childhood introduction to tennis will take some beating.
I was born from an extramarital affair. This is how my life has played out
My dad’s name wasn’t even on my birth certificate, but I was intent on not erasing him completely from my life.
‘He doesn’t believe you’: Nicki Minaj reportedly arrested for possessing drugs in Amsterdam
The rapper and pop star was travelling to England for the next stop of her world tour when police reportedly said they found drugs in her luggage.
Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, dies at 30
The American withdrew from a tournament during the second round at Texas before the PGA Tour announced his death on Sunday.
‘Nothing made sense until I came out when I was 19’: The Block judge opens up
“I orientated myself toward the women in my life because they felt safe,” says Darren Palmer.
Collection
Wine bars
10 new neighbourhood wine bars to spend a cosy Sunday afternoon in
The charming little wine bar has entered its golden era in Melbourne. Here are 10 new ones to while away the chilly winter afternoons and evenings in.
Get your boots on: The world’s five best new hikes
The Balkans, New Zealand, Georgia and Japan are starters in the quest for the best hikes.
WEEKEND READS
How a spicy midlife crisis launched The Unsatisfactory Spouses Club
When marriage trouble hit a group of Melbourne friends, they sought solace in each other.
Exclusive
What Rinehart wanted in return for Olympic-sized sponsorship
The billionaire’s generosity to Olympians means she is adored by athletes. But her company’s demands reveal a desire for something in return.
Victoria
The lost delivery riders causing chaos on toll roads and tunnels
The increase in food delivery services means more bicycle and scooter riders are getting lost on some of Melbourne’s busiest freeways and tollway tunnels.
Nationals grassroots members go nuclear over Welcome to Country ceremonies
The Victorian Nationals rank and file want a future Coalition government to back nuclear power and to axe funding for Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Exclusive
Property development
The YIMBY plan to oust the NIMBYs from local councils
Candidates at the coming local government elections will be asked to pledge that they will not block apartment developments, as YIMBY and pro-housing groups seek to expand their clout in key inner-city areas.
‘Concerning’ rise in measles cases as travellers import virus
There have been 35 reported cases of measles in 2024 so far, compared with 26 last year. Experts blame international outbreaks and declining vaccination rates.
Bridgerton in Brunswick? Regency romance arrives in Melbourne
Fans of the hit Netflix series frocked up for the lavish interactive Bridgerton experience, dripping with sumptuous sets and selfie moments.
AFL 2024
‘It is dangerous’: Hardwick and Voss tackle umpires
Damien Hardwick has called on the game’s decision-makers to do faster calls on holding-the-ball decisions because players’ health and safety is at risk.
Updated
‘Not allowed to do that’: AFL’s call on controversial free kick that stunned the Pies
The AFL has backed an umpire’s controversial call against a Collingwood player that resulted in a crucial last-quarter Fremantle goal in Friday night’s thrilling draw.
Politics
Exclusive
Population
Coalition rules out baby bonus as births continue to slip
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor, a father of four, says the nation’s falling fertility rate is a growing issue for all economic policymakers.
Opinion
Political leadership
Five prime ministers in five years was dismal. But a new reality is unfolding
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Business
Review
Video games
Xbox sequel raises the bar for audio, immersion and mental health in video games
Like a visually stunning eight-hour TV series, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II is a 10th century Viking adventure following a warrior who lives with psychosis.
Opinion
Retirement living
You’ll probably live longer than you think, so start planning now
Bec Wilson
Money contributor
World
Several children killed after Indian amusement park inferno, police say
A major fire broke out on Saturday at an amusement park in Gujarat state in western India, killing at least 27 people, police and media reports said.
Opinion
Explore
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Property
Comedian Rhys Nicholson’s ‘maximalist’ home sells for $842,500 after auction
The Coburg home passed in for $810,000, but soon sold to the highest bidders in post-auction negotiations.
Britt made a temporary move, but she loved the area so much she stayed
The rising cost of housing in a string of bayside and inner-east suburbs hasn’t deterred buyers, bucking the trend of Melbourne’s softening market.
Good Food
Lifestyle
‘$100 is a red flag’: What to know about cheap cashmere
Once a luxury fashion item, cashmere has never been more accessible. But how do more affordable iterations measure up?
Opinion
Trends
In appealing to the rich, has trail running lost its dirtbag spirit?
Sarah Berry
Lifestyle Health Editor
Opinion
Oral health
Yes, we love to hate them, but here’s some sparkling news for dentists
Jo Stubbings
Writer and reviewer
Culture
A lover, a one-time hater and a newcomer debate the original Mad Max
George Miller’s thrilling, apocalyptic vision spawned Australia’s biggest film franchise. How does it hold up nearly half a century later?
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Analysis
Draft
Why some AFL clubs’ recruiting ‘war chest’ won’t deliver guns
The AFL’s new pay deal has created space everywhere, and smaller clubs have to offer more than money when competing against the powerhouses for signatures.
Bombers defender makes stellar AFL return in Dreamtime nail-biter
Jordan Ridley’s seamless return lifted the Bombers to a 12-point Dreamtime victory over Richmond, who defied a league-worst injury list to still be in contention in the dying stages of the game.
‘We support Peter’: Bol’s Olympic place secure despite revelations in anti-doping hearing
Athletics Australia says Peter Bol’s spot at Paris 2024 will not be affected by the revelations that included the discovery of a screenshot of doping information on his phone.
Piastri to start on front row in Monaco as Verstappen’s record run ends
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ended Max Verstappen’s record-equalling run of Formula 1 pole positions in style on Saturday and made himself favourite to become the first home winner of the Monaco Grand Prix since 1931.
Grayson Murray, a two-time PGA Tour winner, dies at 30
The American withdrew from a tournament during the second round at Texas before the PGA Tour announced his death on Sunday.
‘It is dangerous’: Hardwick and Voss tackle umpires
Damien Hardwick has called on the game’s decision-makers to do faster calls on holding-the-ball decisions because players’ health and safety is at risk.
Adam Walton learnt tennis at a racetrack. Now he’s at Roland-Garros
Australian Adam Walton broke into world tennis’ top 100 last week. His childhood introduction to tennis will take some beating.
Have Your Say
Grounds for complaint: Why Dons, Blues and Saints want fewer Marvel games
Tenants of the AFL-owned Docklands stadium are queuing up to ask for more games at the MCG.
