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Breaking
Metro Tunnel
Metro Tunnel blowout to cost taxpayers extra $840 million
Transport Infrastructure Minister Danny Pearson announced the state had reached a deal with the project’s builders to cover ballooning construction costs.
Opinion
Political leadership
Memo to Dutton: It’s the final quarter, you’d better start kicking
The opposition leader has the wind behind him in opinion polls but looks reluctant to risk it by telling voters what he’d do with power. And the risk is real.
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
‘White-line fever’: Once a plumber, Papley is now the Swans’ chief pest
Toby Greene and Willie Rioli know all about the Sydney small forward, who talks a big game and backs it up. His third AFL grand final could yet be his biggest moment.
Katy Perry prays special Aussie guest helps make grand final show a winner
A ‘favourite Australian artist’ will perform “I Kissed A Girl” with the pop superstar – and one name is on everyone’s lips.
‘I am speechless’: Expert shocked at Easey Street accused’s extradition call
One of Italy’s leading international lawyers says the accused double murderer’s consent to be extradited to Australia for a 47-year-old cold case is “absurd”.
‘We’ve stuffed it’: Kokoda Track shut indefinitely, leaving tourists high and dry
Local authorities are scrambling to find a solution to reopen the popular trail, which would usually be in the midst of one of its busiest periods of the year.
‘Check your home and car are locked before bed’: Youth crime jumps
Overall crime in Victoria increased by nearly 10 per cent in the past year, with children increasingly involved in robberies, car thefts and assaults.
‘George’ on the big change that means Seinfeld couldn’t be made today
Jason Alexander, the actor who played George Costanza in the hit ’90s sitcom, says many of the show’s storylines wouldn’t be possible now.
‘He wasn’t dead yet’: Gill got rejected from a widow’s group, so she started her own
Gill Malona, a 29-year-old who lost her teenage sweetheart to bowel cancer, says people need to put conversations about death back on the table.
Top chef Guillaume Brahimi’s secrets to finding great food in France
When in France, think local when it comes to food. But if you’ve got a taste for travel, venture further than a Parisian would.
Trump claims Ukraine is ‘absolutely obliterated’
The former US president says Ukraine should have made concessions to Vladimir Putin in the months before Russia’s 2022 attack.
‘It’s going to put up rent’: Don’t touch negative gearing, landlords warn
Melbourne investment property owner Naresh Punjabi said changes to negative gearing would be a factor in his vote at the next federal election.
Breaking
State Parliament
‘It’s a workplace’: NSW premier demands answers over MP’s 4am visit to parliament in boxer shorts
Chris Minns said Gareth Ward’s early morning decision to come to parliament in a state of undress was a workplace safety issue.
‘Life-seeing’: Could this travel trend be the antidote to overtourism?
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
What a ride: Family celebrates 100 years at the Melbourne Royal Show
When Marjorie Chant was a girl, she had the run of Melbourne’s Royal Show, while her parents manned a stall. Now she’s doing the work, and it’s her great-granddaughters’ turn to have some fun.
AFL FINALS 2024
Analysis
‘He will have a bit of a point to prove’: Grundy might finally be in the right place at the right time
The timing is right for Grundy, who not only finds himself at a club that wants his style of ruckman, but faces an opposition that has lost its first-choice ruck.
AFL grand final could be the highest rating of all time: Dillon hits back at V’landys
With contestants from Queensland and NSW, and the traditional AFL states all watching, this could be the most-watched grand final ever.
Victoria
‘Cracking’ weather tipped for AFL grand final weekend – before rain rolls in again
Footy fans packing the MCG for the AFL grand final can look forward to “cracking” conditions, while rain is due to soak the home cities of this year’s premiership contenders.
CEO’s email hacked, union ‘control’ at MFB exposed
Union boss Peter Marshall asked staff to gather sensitive information for him and the union exerted unprecedented influence over the running of the fire service, report finds.
Updated
Easey Street murders
Easey Street murder suspect says he’s innocent, agrees to extradition from Rome
A “distressed” Perry Kouroumblis has agreed to be extradited to Melbourne, telling an Italian court that he intends to fight to clear his name, his court-appointed lawyer said.
Teen murder suspect weeps in court after boy, 16, killed in ‘senseless’ stabbing
A 15-year-old is accused of killing Oscar Hamilton, who was fatally stabbed at the outdoor food court of a Melton West shopping centre on Tuesday.
‘Why wouldn’t I?’: Shari chose to freeze her eggs for her own future family and also plans to help others
Young women who freeze their eggs were once dubbed ‘selfish careerists’, a myth busted by new research showing most now intend to donate their eggs to other women.
See & Do
Sally Rooney’s new book is out. So, is it any good?
Like her previous novels, Intermezzo is a very straight, very white, very middle-class and unproductively hyped love story. But something’s different this time.
We’ve been at it for millennia, but sex on the Fringe is something else
From disability to cultural taboos, this year’s edgiest festival steps into territory that is usually unspoken.
Politics
Back to Camelot: Caroline Kennedy set to leave Australia in months
After a long stint surfing, racing cars and hosting power brokers, the US ambassador is wrapping up and getting ready to head home.
Business
The Star posts $1.69 billion loss after securing multimillion-dollar lifeline
The ailing casino operator recorded $1.69 billion in losses for the year to June 30, after it finally secured a last-ditch loan to keep it solvent.
World
Updated
Courts
New York mayor indicted following corruption probe
“I have been facing these lies for months ... yet the city has continued to improve,” Eric Adams said.
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Why my small town will decide the US election
Sarah Smiles Persinger
Editor at the United States Studies Centre
Opinion
The cruellest part is that Coles and Woolies appeared to target battlers
Allan Fels
Former chairman Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Explore
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Property
The type of homeowner most likely to fall behind on their mortgage
Interest rates are putting pressure on home borrowers, but some are feeling the pinch more deeply and have fewer options to manage.
Melbourne’s house price record could be broken with first $100m sale
The Myer family’s historic Toorak home, Cranlana, is about to come to the market – a once-in-a-generation opportunity for buyers with deep pockets.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Opinion
Sunday Life
I cannot believe the number of fashion faux pas I’ve committed over the years
What was I thinking? Did I even have a mirror? Was I simply being sartorially satirical? Tongue-in-chic?
Kathy Lette
Writer
Culture
Kylie Minogue announces extra shows for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Padam Padam summer is coming to Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in 2025.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
‘White-line fever’: Once a plumber, Papley is now the Swans’ chief pest
Toby Greene and Willie Rioli know all about the Sydney small forward, who talks a big game and backs it up. His third AFL grand final could yet be his biggest moment.
Opinion
AFL grand final
Put in the work or pay the price: Callum Mills is a cautionary tale
Callum Mills’ injury was self-inflicted, due to the amount of pre-season training he missed. It might, heartbreakingly, cost him a premiership.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
Riewoldt’s return: Saints great back in Australia for television role
Nick Riewoldt, who has been living in the US since 2022, will return for a commentary role, while Nine’s Eddie McGuire has hit out at “Channel Copycat” amid major moves within the AFL media.
Updated
Horse racing
Hearing delayed: Caulfield rebels win legal battle, Kanga to seek chairman role
Caulfield rebel John Kanga will seek to become the new chairman of the Melbourne Racing Club after he and board members Caitrin Kelly and Alison Saville won a legal fight to delay a disciplinary hearing.
Our experts have their say: Who will win the grand final?
Our tipsters give their expert predictions for the grand final and explain their picks. Plus, their tips for the Norm Smith Medal – and check back later on Thursday for the teams when they’re announced.
Bellamy’s life in the belly of the beast of rugby league
From bush premierships as a teenager to NRL titles and a salary cap scandal, the Storm coach has experienced everything the greatest game of all has to offer.
AFL grand final could be the highest rating of all time: Dillon hits back at V’landys
With contestants from Queensland and NSW, and the traditional AFL states all watching, this could be the most-watched grand final ever.
Have Your Say
‘He will have a bit of a point to prove’: This Saturday, the time is right for Brodie Grundy to deliver
The timing was right for Sydney to secure Grundy, and the timing has been right for Grundy, who not only finds himself at a club that wants his style of ruckman, but faces an opposition that has lost its first-choice ruck.
