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Magnificent, outrageous, unique: Celine Dion, floating cauldron cap Paris’s staggering party

Magnificent, outrageous, unique: Celine Dion, floating cauldron cap Paris’s staggering party

The Olympic flame has been lit on a hot air balloon, flying high above the Paris skyline, in a remarkable finish to three-and-a-half hours of a ground-breaking opening ceremony.

This wasn’t just an opening ceremony. It was a tour de force of culture and camp

With clowns, ballet dancers and models, and performances from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, the Paris Opening Ceremony was a remarkable triumph.

How the Eiffel Tower became the world’s most spectacular stadium

From beach volleyball at the Eiffel Tower to equestrian at Versailles, Paris 2024 will be staged at some of the world’s most famous landmarks. This is your ultimate guide to the Olympic venues.

The pictures that defined the opening ceremony
51 images

The pictures that defined the opening ceremony

Hundreds of thousands of spectators witnessed the colour, pomp and star power of the opening ceremony in Paris.

Sam Short and Ariarne Titmus are vying for gold on night one in Paris.

Why night one at the pool could be the greatest in Australian Olympic history

Australia has never won three gold medals on the same night in the pool at an Olympics. Is that about to change?

‘You guys are bums’: Coach’s post-match explosion that inspired Boomers to Olympic bronze

Australian Olympic basketball team coach Brian Goorjian.

Finally winning an Olympic medal was a watershed moment for Australian basketball. Coach Brian Goorjian says it’s only the beginning.

Webster in Paris
Olympics

‘You running a story on that?’ Kevin Durant bats away dumbest question

The hottest ticket in town on Thursday wasn’t a sporting event but the traditional pre-Olympics media opportunity with Team USA.

‘They’re on fire for Kamala’: How Harris has upended the 2024 US campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris boards Air Force Two as she departs from Ellington Airport in Houston.

In 36 hours, Harris amassed $192m in donations, 100,000 new volunteers and blew up the internet with endearing memes of the vice president.

The achievement Harris should keep quiet about

On paper, the US economy is leading the world, but voters want more. Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, who hopes she’ll take his place.

Joe Biden unleashed a surge in spending that briefly slashed the childhood poverty rate in half. Even so, politicians just “can’t get no respect” for economic wins.

Peter Hartcher
Peter Hartcher

Political and international editor

France’s train network sabotaged in arson attack ahead of opening ceremony

The high-speed network was targeted by vandals in a series of coordinated actions that brought major disruptions to some of the country’s busiest rail lines ahead of the Paris Olympics.

‘Going into politics has taught me I’ve got more courage than I thought’

Two years ago, she was a “shy”, reluctant pollie. Now Allegra Spender’s navigating the fallout from tragedies at home and abroad.

The Sydney suburbs where house prices soared most over the past year

Krish Waje and her partner Quincy Lim have bought a home in the Blue Mountains to have a lifestyle change and also because house prices in Sydney itself are so high. They are in the process of packing up their Toongabbie unit.

House prices have jumped by at least 20 per cent in a string of sought-after pockets, defying higher interest rates and the rising cost of living.

How to solve Australia’s housing crisis

Governments have neglected their fundamental obligation to realise everyone’s human right to housing and home.

Kevin Bell
Kevin Bell

Former justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria

Opinion
NRL 2024

How to make the greatest game of all even greater

Time for change … charge downs, HIAs, the Bunker and ref abuse.

Six-agains, more teams in the finals, fewer games, ditch the disruptors … and don’t mention the Bunker. What needs to change in rugby league?

Opinion
Paris 2024

Je ne regrette rien: How I scored an interview with Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron poses with French athletes as he visits the Olympic Village on Monday.

The phrase “No regrets” was in the back of my mind when I cheekily squared up to the French leader.

Peter FitzSimons
Peter FitzSimons

Columnist and author

Bolt’s ultimatum: I’ll quit if James wins succession battle

The high-profile conservative columnist says he’ll walk if James Murdoch takes over News Corp.

TV series Mad Men has one of the best title sequences.

What do 3 Body Problem, Mad Men and Game of Thrones have in common?

Australian Emmy winner Patrick Clair says the best title designs are a lot more than just “wrapping” for a show.

Traveller Letters: If it’s empty, why can’t I use the business class loo?

QantasLink’s Embraer E190 only has one toilet for the entire economy cabin.

“Surely, a common-sense approach to safety and passenger welfare prevails over exclusive, business class toileting.”

What are Australian men talking about in therapy?

From toxic masculinity to parenting issues, these are the six most common topics men are bringing to the therapy room.

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The Vogue cover featuring Sha’Carri Richardson.

Goggles, goals and Gucci: Why female Olympians are the new supermodels

Once, Australia’s female athletes were sponsored by breakfast cereals and milk drinks. Now they’re courted by the likes of Omega and Dior.

Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey at training on Thursday in Paris.
Exclusive
Paris 2024

Swimming coach spared axe over helping Korean rival – months after he was told not to

An email obtained by this masthead reveals that Australian coaches, including Michael Palfrey, were warned four months ago about links to foreign athletes.

Caitlin Foord has had the best chances for the Matildas so far.

As it happened: Matildas lose 3-0 to Germany; Australia’s men’s rugby 7s advance to semi-finals

The Matildas’ Paris Olympics campaign has gotten off to the worst possible start with a 3-0 thrashing by Germany, as Australia’s men’s rugby 7s side advance to the semi-finals against Fiji.

Sam Short after his 400m freestyle victory last year at the world championships in Fukuoka.

They were the last Aussies to go 1-2 in the same race. They think it could happen again – with a world record

Sam Short and Elijah Winnington are Australia’s big gold medal hopes in the opening event of the swimming program. And it might take a world record to win it.

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NRL 2024

Grant Anderson celebrates a try for Melbourne.

The Storm bargains that strike a perfect balance with Munster’s $1.25m deal

As has been Craig Bellamy’s calling card for more than 20 years, an unheralded low earner will be punching well above his wage outside returning superstar Cameron Munster.

Selwyn Cobbo is tackled by Jarome Luai in the State of Origin decider.
Opinion

The Origin decider was out of this world. But how much more can these players give?

I’ve taken time to watch the game three replay. It was one of the toughest and most brutal games I’ve ever seen.

Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns

League columnist

Sydney

Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian outside her home in Sydney on Friday before the judgment was handed down.

Gladys Berejiklian defends her leadership after losing ICAC court challenge

A majority of the NSW Court of Appeal dismissed the former premier’s challenge to damning corruption findings made against her.

Exclusive
Courts

The hidden microphones that caught a plot to get away with murder

The jury heard Carroll had met Benjamin Parkes and Robert Sloan while living in motels around Liverpool.

Najma Carroll had been a gifted HSC student and rising sports star. Before she died, she put her trust in the wrong people.

Exclusive
Development

Revealed: Plan for new offices at Glebe Island - but no homes

An excerpt of the Port Authority of NSW’s Bays Port Plan, marked “final draft for consultation”, obtained by the Herald.

A political stoush has erupted over the future of Sydney’s Bays West precinct, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying housing was a better option.

Paramedic banned over ‘Netflix and chill’ misconduct with teen

The Victorian coroner investigated the death of a Wemba Wemba girl who was under state care when she took her own life in 2021.

A paramedic made unwanted sexual advances towards a teenager, claiming he was led on by the term “Netflix and chill”.

Liverpool Council prepares for legal siege after damning report

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun.

Liverpool Council has called for every copy of a damning investigative report to be deleted, as it prepares for broad legal action.

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WEEKEND READS

Jess Lynne, left, and Jade.

Can you find true love when you start high school?

They got together as teenagers, and in the decades since, psychic medium Jess Lynne and orthodontic dental technician Jade Vigilante have shared many milestones - and odd pet names.

Maxwell, sitting between members of her legal team, makes a sketch of the court artist.

The stare-down between a courtroom sketch artist and Ghislaine Maxwell

In a strange power move that left me frozen in my seat, Maxwell decided she would start drawing the courtroom sketch artist while the sketch artist was drawing her. Then she started drawing me.

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Sport

Australian swimming coach Michael Palfrey at training on Thursday in Paris.
Exclusive
Paris 2024

Swimming coach spared axe over helping Korean rival – months after he was told not to

An email obtained by this masthead reveals that Australian coaches, including Michael Palfrey, were warned four months ago about links to foreign athletes.

The Matildas were comprehensively beaten by Germany in their opening pool match.
Updated
Paris 2024

The Matildas wanted a dream start to the Games. It was a 90-minute nightmare

Australia arrived in France with ambitions of a deep run into the Olympic tournament. Against Germany, it was the worst possible start.

NRL rookie-of-the-year contenders: Sua Fa’alogo, Blaize Talagi and Ethan Strange.

Something Parramatta might actually win? If Blaize Talagi is not crowned NRL’s top rookie, who will be?

Two of the leading NRL rookie-of-the-year candidates are set to face off on Friday night. Who wins this year’s first-year gong?

Left: Sam Short after his 400m freestyle victory last year at the world championships in Fukuoka. Right: Elijah Winnington celebrates his 400m freestyle final win during the Australian swimming trials at Brisbane Aquatic Centre in June.

They were the last Aussies to go 1-2 in the same race. They think it could happen again – with a world record

Sam Short and Elijah Winnington are Australia’s big gold medal hopes in the opening event of the swimming program. And it might take a world record to win it.

Cameron Munster will spearhead the Storm’s finals charge.

‘These old legs are coming to an end’: Munster set for double hip surgery

Cameron Munster returns from a lengthy injury lay-off for ladder leaders Melbourne – but confirmed he will require double hip surgery at the end of the year.

The coffin of David Morrow is taken into St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Coogee.

‘One of the best broadcasters this country will see’: Sporting greats farewell David Morrow

The longtime radio and television veteran was farewelled on the same day competition begun in Paris - with a new tribute announced in his honour.

Somewhere underneath all his teammates is Panthers match-winner Nathan Cleary.

Panthers confident of fan support as English teams snap up Vegas tickets

The Panthers remain confident they will be the best-supported club in Las Vegas.

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