Morning Edition newsletter
Our guide to the most important stories, analysis and insights.
Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
Sunday Life
Indulge in the best ‘me time’ reading with our new digital magazine edition.
Updated
Fire
‘Dad tried to kill us’: Father dragged kids into fatal inferno, police say
Police suspect a father set fire to his Sydney home and fought off neighbours and police, dragging his own children back into the inferno.
Push for all-girls school to go co-ed as enrolments continue to dwindle
Mentone, Canterbury, Melbourne, Pascoe Vale and Matthew Flinders girls colleges have all declined in enrolments since 2018.
Opinion
UK election
Ditching Boris sowed seeds of shambolic Tory defeat
Everything went downhill for the UK Conservatives after the political assassination of Boris Johnson two years ago. It was a spectacular act of political self-harm.
George Brandis
Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general
Exclusive
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The denial and disinformation facing October 7 survivors
Holocaust scholars recognise a sadly familiar pattern in October 7 denial, but are shocked at how quickly it set in.
Sex toys, taxidermy and Pauline Hanson: Inside Shorten’s rogue campaign
The NDIS minister is using unusual tactics in a bid to save $1 billion – and they’re starting to catch the attention of his Cabinet colleagues.
Opinion
Middle East tensions
Iran’s new president promises bold reform – under the watchful eye of Khamenei
A former heart surgeon has been named the next president of Iran. But his win, a response to growing social discontent, comes with strings attached.
Amin Saikal
Professor of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Islamic Studies
Live
AFL 2024
Heeney’s Brownlow hopes in trouble after Webster run in; Saints within striking distance of Swans
The Demons have thumped the Eagles and moved to the edge of the top eight.
Latest live posts
LoadingSee-through roof and river views: Pictures of Tassie’s new stadium revealed
Tasmania needs the roofed stadium so that it can have a team in the AFL, but the venue has been designed to offer the state so much more.
Exclusive
Test cricket
Global warning: Test cricket may shrink to six teams within four years
Test cricket may be played by as few as six countries within a few years without greater equalisation measures by its richest boards – India, England and Australia.
Welcome to Netflixland: the streamer’s plan to dominate Disney
Don’t think of it like Disneyland, says the Netflix boss, but it does look like the first step to a full-scale challenge
Recipe collection
Chocolate
Celebrate World Chocolate Day with 40 of Good Food’s greatest and gooiest recipes
Go loco for cocoa with these classic choc-loaded treats.
Why hotel branded residences are transforming luxury city living
Upmarket apartment homes that are managed by luxury hotel chains, are gaining momentum as developers and buyers recognise the lifestyle and investment benefits.
How Anthony Albanese helped Keir Starmer win his way to Downing St
Political gurus worldwide often look to the US to live out a West Wing-style fantasy, but UK watchers say it is Australia that really sets the tone in Westminster.
Explainer
US Votes 2024
‘I screwed up’: When is a leader too old to lead?
Joe Biden’s recent halting debate against a blustering rival caused panic in some quarters. But does it mean he should throw in the re-election towel?
‘No one is irreplaceable’: As Biden digs in, more supporters look to push him out
Growing swaths of Democrats now believe that by remaining on the ticket, the president is jeopardising their ability to maintain the White House.
Opinion
Real life
How Red Symons stumped the bloke who stole his guitar 50 years ago
It was in Brunswick Street that my house was burgled. I was robbed of a heavy black Les Paul Custom. I’d expected the fate of that guitar to remain unknown... and then someone asked me for change.
Red Symons
Flâneur
Glossy hair that sparkles and shines. This is how to achieve it
Who doesn’t want lustrous, super-reflective hair? Here are the tools and products for a perfectly polished look.
Opinion
Culture wars
Australia will lose if Payman’s identity politics triumphs
The senator’s passionate politics renders compromise unpalatable. The last thing Australia needs is this type of politics.
Parnell Palme McGuinness
Columnist and communications adviser
WEEKEND READS
‘I was mobbed at shopping centres’: How Daniel MacPherson first coped with fame
The former Neighbours star shares how he dealt with landing the high-profile gig so young.
‘Do it’: Funny girl Julia Louis-Dreyfus on the serious step she took with her mum
From Seinfeld and Veep to a hit podcast and new choices with her 87-year-old mother, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is rolling with a fast-changing industry – and world.
Victoria
Exclusive
Victorian budget
Melbourne Water borrowed money from the state government – to pay a state government bill
Melbourne Water had to borrow from the state to pay a bigger-than-expected land tax bill in a cash merry-go-round.
Copenhagen, not Docklands: Nick Reece wants to be lord mayor for real – here’s how
The former deputy mayor has confirmed he will run for the city’s top job at the coming elections, saying he’ll insist new growth suburbs are about putting “people first, not developer profit”.
Vicki had a 4-year-wait for a knee op. She’s had to go interstate for help
Anger is boiling over in Albury-Wodonga, where the waiting list for planned surgery is already the worst in regional Victoria.
Updated
Crime
Murder probe launched after woman’s body found at Melbourne tip
Police believe the woman’s remains were inside a bin that was picked up outside a property in Coolaroo on Tuesday and taken to Epping.
From tobacco factory to artistry, this suburb is the southside’s northside
Creatives, breweries, patisseries and young families are springing up in the suburb’s once-gritty industrial precinct, which used to be home to soft drink manufacturers and big tobacco companies.
AFL 2024
Analysis
Easy Pies, raging Dons: How handling of Merrett, Daicos showed contrasting mindsets
The space – and lack of close-up attention – permitted to Zach Merrett was the complete reverse of how the Bombers dealt with the similarly destructive powers of Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.
‘Got to keep an open mind’: Scott happy to move Geelong’s chess pieces around
Geelong coach Chris Scott said he will keep an open mind on how they should use their best players for the remainder of the season after the Cats returned to the top four with a strong win.
Politics
The six weeks that turned Fatima Payman’s rift with Labor into a chasm
Fatima Payman was a quiet backbencher for her first two years in the Senate. But for the past six weeks the former union official has become a household name.
Business
The dirty secret of Australia’s green energy transition
Renewable energy, storage and transmission lines will get Australia most of the way to banishing coal from the grid. But not the whole way, officials warn.
Opinion
Ask an expert
I’m getting old and my SMSF has become a burden. What should I do?
Paul Benson
Money contributor
World
With nearly nude women, the Joker and pets, a Tokyo election descends into madness
Personal publicity stunts have hijacked Tokyo’s vote for a new governor, with nearly nude women, an AI character and a man practising his golf swing among the candidates.
Opinion
Will Fatima Payman become the Pauline Hanson of the left? That’s up to her
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Explore
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Property
‘Fighting a losing battle’: Melbourne suburbs where rents have soared
Tenants are searching far and wide for their next home as rents in several suburbs spiralled 20 per cent or more in a year.
This home passed in at $1.27 million. The sole bidder paid an extra $45,000 to buy it
The renovated Victorian-style property passed in at auction before selling to a downsizer from a neighbouring suburb.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Chloroform, popcorn, cigarette butts: The weird and wonderful world of niche perfume
Consumers are eschewing mainstream fragrances in favour of unique scents that tell a story.
Culture
This beautiful memoir beats with a radically open heart
Ailsa Piper’s salts her sorrow with spiritual longing in this subtle book about living with grief.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL 2024 round 17 LIVE updates: Heeney’s Brownlow hopes in trouble after Webster run in as Swans lead Saints
The Demons were belted by lowly West Coast in Perth just seven weeks ago. Now, they’re back the MCG and a chance to push into the top eight is on the line.
Popyrin pushes Djoker again, but leaves Demon as only Aussie standing at Wimbledon
Australia’s Alexei Popyrin put up an almighty fight against seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, while Alex de Minaur found life much easier as he advanced to the second week of the tournament.
Exclusive
Test cricket
Global warning: Test cricket may shrink to six teams within four years
Test cricket may be played by as few as six countries within a few years without greater equalisation measures by its richest boards – India, England and Australia.
She’s played at four Olympics, but this hoops legend has never felt so much pressure
She might be an all-time great, but Lauren Jackson has never felt so much pressure as she did before Australia’s Olympic basketball teams for Paris were announced. Like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, she’s off to her fifth Games.
‘Got to keep an open mind’: Scott happy to move chess pieces around
Geelong coach Chris Scott said he will keep an open mind on how they should use their best players for the remainder of the season after the Cats returned to the top four with a strong win.
See-through roof and river views: Pictures of Tassie’s new stadium revealed
Tasmania needs the roofed stadium so that it can have a team in the AFL, but the venue has been designed to offer the state so much more.
Analysis
AFL 2024
Easy Pies, raging Dons: How handling of Merrett, Daicos showed contrasting mindsets
The space – and lack of close-up attention – permitted to Zach Merrett was the complete reverse of how the Bombers dealt with the similarly destructive powers of Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.
Have Your Say
A sporting colossus and ‘the most important tournament in tennis’: What sets the AO and Wimbledon apart
One Melbourne ex-pat calls Wimbledon and the Australian Open “the two best sporting events in the world”. Here’s what separates them from the pack, and what they can teach each other.
