The Booklist
A weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger.
The Drop podcast
Your weekly hit of the most interesting pop culture news, reviews and recommendations.
The Traveller Quiz
Are you an expert traveller? Test your knowledge with our weekly travel quiz.
Exclusive
City life
Former Xavier site’s big build back on track as minister seizes control
A rejected bid to build 84 two-storey townhouses on a former Xavier College campus looks set to go ahead, with the state government taking over control of the development from the council.
Cause of Clunes wellness centre death remains a mystery despite autopsy
Police are investigating if so-called “magic mushrooms” were behind the death of Rachael Dixon.
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel and Iran are following the rules of the jungle, not the rule of law
Countries such as Australia should unilaterally impose sanctions on the leaders of both countries to compel them to recommit to law and peace.
Ben Saul
Challis Chair of International Law at Sydney University
Who were the Wakeley rioters and why did it descend into violence?
Distrust of police and authority, as well as old grievances and social marginalisation, may have contributed to disturbing scenes on Monday night.
Opinion
Note From The Editor
In the modern-day duel, journalists always lose
Australia’s defamation laws make journalism harder. Even when the media wins.
Patrick Elligett
Editor
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Middle East tensions rise after Israeli drone attack
The Albanese government has urged Israel and Iran to prevent a “spiral of violence” as Australians are warned against travelling to Israel.
Live
AFL 2024
Intensity rises in Adelaide, Essendon can’t keep crowd quiet
Essendon and Adelaide clash in what is a vital round six clash for both sides to stay in touch with the top eight.
Latest live posts
LoadingAFL round six teams and tips: Kangas leave out young gun Wardlaw
Our experts have entered their tips for the eight games of round six. See which way they’re predicting each match will turn out as the season kicks into gear.
Seebohm aiming for record fifth Olympics - with a baby on board
Lisa Curry did it in 1992. Hayley Lewis also pulled off a remarkable comeback to swimming in 2000. New mother Emily Seebohm wants to be in Paris at her fifth Olympics.
‘Just shush and listen’: Why opening night isn’t the best time to see a stage show
Stage star Anthony Warlow has treaded the boards for decades, with thousands of performances under his belt – and he still hates opening nights.
Australian fans stunned as Taylor Swift announces surprise second album
Just two hours after releasing her highly anticipated 11th album, Swift stunned fans who had gathered to hear her new songs by releasing a second new album.
‘The city’s not the same’: Beloved hatted Japanese restaurant is closing after 15 years
The basement izakaya restaurant was one of the first of its kind in Melbourne, but continued financial pressures and inconsistent trade have taken their toll.
We should dare to dream of a Docklands that isn’t dreadful
The precinct has many critics, but there’s still time to ensure its evolution delivers the waterside jewel some hope it can be.
Opinion
Social media
Could we all do without social media?
In moments of stress or boredom, I find myself watching weird videos on social media. That’s not why I installed the app.
Tim Biggs
Consumer Technology Writer
Call to embed police in shopping centres to tackle knife crime
Victoria’s most senior federal frontbencher says police officers should be embedded in Melbourne’s big shopping centres.
Exclusive
City life
Member group claims Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club spent $800,000 on wagyu beef
The money was allegedly spent on the expensive variety of meat in the same financial year in which the club reported a $2.4 million loss from its hospitality operations.
Opinion
Defamation
Lisa Wilkinson has claimed victory. Who is she kidding?
If you’re going to be for all women, you have to acknowledge when you f--- over other women.
Kate Halfpenny
Regular columnist
WEEKEND READS
Visual Story
Six missed calls, mystery bank records, CCTV: Inside the Lehrmann judgment
Justice Michael Lee “trudged unyieldingly” through CCTV footage, phone logs, bank records, receipts – and hours of testimony. This is how he arrived at his ruling that Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins.
‘You’re not such a crazy conspiracy theorist any more’: Preppers go mainstream
In a world hyper-alert to impending catastrophe, the doomsday survivalist business is booming.
Victoria
22-year-old admits to killing his grandmother with mattock
A man who bludgeoned his own grandmother to death in the family’s garage has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in a Ballarat court.
Exclusive
Public housing
Heritage wonder or high-rise hell? Forces unite to save public housing towers from oblivion
Opposition to the state government’s plan to raze 44 towers is mounting, including from a former Labor deputy prime minister and a 97-year-old industry icon, architect Peter McIntyre.
Home builder’s collapse blows hole in state insurer’s finances
Taxpayers face having to pay for higher insurance premiums on major projects after the Porter Davis collapse hit the state insurance agency’s budget.
The $600m rail line in the north being ignored in favour of cars
Outer-suburban councils are desperate to get residents using public transport, but even billions spent boosting heavy rail is failing to make a dent in car dominance.
Wheel of fortune: The vision to turbocharge a struggling waterfront suburb
Libertarian MP David Limbrick says a special economic zone would turbocharge Docklands. It would mean scrapping payroll and land taxes.
AFL
The Scoop
What a LIV golfer taught the besieged Bulldogs about goalkicking
He’s billed as the best putter from inside 12 feet. This week the Western Bulldogs called him in for goalkicking advice.
AFL round six teams and tips: Bulldogs star to miss for personal reason
Our experts have entered their tips for the eight games of round six. See which way they’re predicting each match will turn out as the season kicks into gear.
Politics
Exclusive
ALP
Labor ‘uses ethnically diverse to stack branches, not run as MPs’
“There have been systemic barriers put on multicultural communities,” says Senate hopeful Wesa Chau. “And when we talk about discrimination, this is what it looks like.”
Business
New Seven boss wants to move on from ‘a few bad apples’
Seven West Media’s new boss Jeff Howard has warned he is willing to weed out staffers who show poor judgement or engage in unacceptable behaviour.
World
Analysis
World elections
Modi-mania is on the march - but India’s democratic standards are on the ropes
Close to a billion Indians are eligible to vote in a 44-day national election beginning today. It will be the largest democratic exercise in history.
Opinion
There was no conspiracy, so why pursue Higgins over her payout?
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
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Property
Where property prices will be once interest rates fall
Once interest rates fall, property prices would likely go up, but buyers could borrow more money, and new analysis shows whether it would be enough.
Exclusive
Property market
Australia set to build 1.2 million new homes so poor they’re ‘closer to a tent’
A seven-star energy-efficient home built today might look like a high-quality home, but turn out to be as comfortable as a tent, a new report warns.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Fakeaway
10 fast and curious Friday night flatbread pizzas
Lifestyle
Train stations and car parks: The gardens proving beauty can be found anywhere
After decades of photographing the world’s best gardens, Claire Takacs is looking for inspiration in unexpected places.
Opinion
Dating
The secret to success on dating apps is economical
Siena Fagan
Economics and media student
Culture
Taylor Swift’s new album is here, and it’s proof she needs to take a break
The megastar exorcises her past relationships with Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy on an album likely to divide fans.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL live updates: Crows claw their way to the lead after six consecutive goals
Essendon and Adelaide clash in what is a vital round six clash for both sides to stay in touch with the top eight.
Analysis
IPL
The ‘gimmick’ that has sparked a cricket culture war
A rule change has India’s stars up in arms, with plenty of potential consequences for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup.
Opinion
Horse racing
Max’s wisdom and advice will stay with me beyond the track
Turf great Max Presnell has gone from hero to friend and mentor for racing writer Chris Roots.
Chris Roots
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
The Roosters were unhappy with two calls. The NRL is looking at three that hurt Melbourne
Two Roosters knock-ons in the final 10 minutes of their loss on Thursday night, and a James Tedesco trip, are under the microscope.
AFL round six teams and tips: Kangas leave out young gun Wardlaw
Our experts have entered their tips for the eight games of round six. See which way they’re predicting each match will turn out as the season kicks into gear.
Marking contests: The surprising way AFL players get concussed
In AFL data with potential ramifications for how the game is coached, this masthead can reveal that of the concussions reported in 2023 – for all games including finals – the largest share came in marking contests.
Heartbroken Dockers look to derby to atone for late losses
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is confident his team have learned vital lessons from their recent pair of heartbreaking losses, and he’s urging them to get more bang for their buck in front of goal.
Have Your Say
‘We have to beg for permission’: Why there isn’t more African talent in the Matildas
While African talent is tearing up the A-League Men and reaching the Socceroos, only two women from the continent’s diaspora have represented the Matildas. A new tournament aims to address this discrepancy.
