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.
Exclusive
Casinos
Claims of stolen bitcoin, lies, and fraud: Billionaires v crypto bro in high-stakes legal battle
The fight is being played out in the US and could spill over into Australian courts amid allegations of stolen bitcoin, lies, and fraud.
Analysis
Political leadership
Dutton primed his troops for an early election. But are they up to it?
The veteran politician, a former police officer, lived through the scarring Nelson-Turnbull-Abbott years. He has placed a premium on unity, and it has paid off – at least so far.
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.
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.
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.
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
Opinion
AFL 2024
Don’t feel Blue: When an upset is upsetting ... and when it is not
In Four Points this week: when to worry after a shock defeat, and when to stay calm; a Brownlow favourite should be out of contention; Jack Lukosius embodies the Suns’ road woes; and the Tigers become the frontrunners for the top pick in the draft.
Michael Gleeson
Sports columnist
‘He’s not playing next week’: Are Heeney’s Brownlow hopes over?
Isaac Heeney’s Brownlow Medal hopes hang in the balance after a high fend that left his opponent with a bloodied nose, capping off a dirty day for Sydney as they suffered a second straight shock loss, this week to St Kilda.
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.
Opinion
Pets
Shame, humility and tennis balls: Going to the dog park is like church, but better
God is God. At the park, God is a ball. Priests are dog groomers or walkers. Holy bread is chicken (unless you’re an oodle with an allergy).
Charlotte Mortlock
Journalist and political advisor
‘Everyone loves chocolate’: Cocoa fiends flock to chocolate festival
Chocoholics headed to Abbotsford Convent to give thanks for chocolate.
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
‘I was mobbed at shopping centres’: How Daniel MacPherson coped with fame
The former Neighbours star shares how he dealt with landing the high-profile gig so young.
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?
Going to Palm Springs to ogle dead stars’ homes? You’re missing the point
You come to Palm Springs to live like them: being here is like taking a trip through time.
Opinion
Real life
Some punk stole my guitar 50 years ago. I never thought the mystery would be solved
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.
Red Symons
Flâneur
A stately home in city’s north-east gets an impressive upgrade
This grand Victorian beauty built in 1875 has an entry hall, observation tower, large formal rooms, original stables and an equine arena.
Can foreigners handle the heat? Mexicans divided on milder food for tourists
The lowering of salsa heat levels at some of the city’s taquerias has set off a debate about how much to adapt to outsiders.
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
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.
Business
Safe bet? Investors take savage haircuts in commercial real estate
Selling buildings that seemed like a safe bet when purchased three years ago is hurting investors’ hip pockets.
World
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
Opinion
Ditching Boris sowed seeds of shambolic Tory defeat
George Brandis
Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general
Australia will lose if Payman’s identity politics triumphs
Parnell Palme McGuinness
Columnist and communications adviser
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
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
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Opinion
AFL 2024
Don’t feel Blue: When an upset is upsetting ... and when it is not
In Four Points this week: when to worry after a shock defeat, and when to stay calm; a Brownlow favourite should be out of contention; Jack Lukosius embodies the Suns’ road woes; and the Tigers become the frontrunners for the top pick in the draft.
Michael Gleeson
Sports columnist
‘He’s not playing next week’: Are Heeney’s Brownlow hopes over?
Isaac Heeney’s Brownlow Medal hopes hang in the balance after a high fend that left his opponent with a bloodied nose, capping off a dirty day for Sydney as they suffered a second straight shock loss, this week to St Kilda.
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.
Saints stunner: Swans upset for the second week straight
The Demons responded to a belting from lowly West Coast a few weeks ago with one of their own, while the Saints pulled off a stunning upset at Marvel Stadium.
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.
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.
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.
