Just in
Latest
Breaking
Crime
Accused childcare predator reported to police for ‘kissing’ child a year before arrest
Childcare manager Yolanda Boruki says she alerted police to the worker who was seen allegedly “kissing” a child but he was then cleared for lack of evidence.
- by Perry Duffin
As it happened: Bruce Lehrmann to sue ACT over handling of Higgins case; Dutton labels PM ‘incompetent’ on Voice
Government considering using super in aged care solution, Peter Dutton labelled the prime minister as ‘incompetent’ on Voice and the debate on housing continues.
- by Caroline Schelle and Sarah Keoghan
AI predicts round of 16 scores at the Women’s World Cup
How far can Australia go? Which nations will make the final? Who will lift the trophy? We asked Robotinho for its take to the tournament’s big questions.
- by "Robotinho" and Mark Stehle
‘A message for the premier: Honour the deal you made with teachers’
Teachers have been betrayed by Chris Minns and Pru Car. They believed the rhetoric that they, like the nurses, child and aged care workers, had done it tough during COVID and deserved a pay rise.
Meet the 21-year-old YouTuber taking on Sydney’s bad planning
Sharath Mahendran’s YouTube channel has gained almost 30,000 subscribers. And he’s only getting more popular.
- by Anthony Segaert
Sofronoff gave journalists Lehrmann inquiry report before government: ACT
Calls are growing to immediately release the findings of the inquiry into the handling of the rape trial of former Coalition staffer Bruce Lehrmann, after they were leaked to the media this week.
- by Angus Thompson
Analysis
US politics
Trump is no modern-day Nixon and there is no sign of ‘tranquillity’ returning to the US
Unlike Richard Nixon during Watergate, Republicans remain largely in Donald Trump’s corner, even as he heads into an election year facing three criminal trials.
- by Farrah Tomazin
Victoria blamed for Canadian decision to dump 2030 Commonwealth Games
Australian Sports Commission chief Kieren Perkins says Commonwealth Games can still be staged in a fiscally responsible way.
- by Chip Le Grand
Updated
World markets
ASX finishes in green after seesaw session; Domino’s up, Block down
The Australian sharemarket seesawed on Friday after Wall Street’s red-hot rally for the year cooled a bit more.
- by Jessica Yun
Updated
China relations
China drops tariffs against Australian barley
The decision puts an end to a three-year-dispute over the $1.2 billion export.
- by Eryk Bagshaw
AFP retracts statement Dutton was briefed on Nauru bribery investigation
The grilling of senior police raises serious further questions about how Home Affairs managed multibillion-dollar offshore processing contracts.
- by Michael Bachelard and Nick McKenzie
Should talented staff be allowed to work less?
It’s worth having a difficult conversation about why a worker wants to cut back their hours.
- by Jonathan Rivett
Jewish students threatened with a knife and vilified on Melbourne bus
Police are investigating after a group of students were chased from a bus in Elsternwick by a man with a knife who yelled antisemitic abuse.
- by Cameron Houston
Tim Klingender farewelled at memorial service at Bondi Pavilion
The art dealer, one of Australian Indigenous art’s greatest champions, died in a freak boating accident during a fishing expedition on July 20.
- by Andrew Hornery
A letter from the past brings memories of France, love and trauma
Vanessa McCausland’s novel examines devastating loss of youth.
- by Jessie Tu
‘Hero worship must never be blind’: The lesson from Chris Masters
The veteran journalist’s account of the investigation into Ben Roberts-Smith shows the crucial need for truth and perspective.
- by Albert Palazzo
Fans ‘forced to subscribe’ to Optus Sport as World Cup free-to-air schedule revealed
The round of 16 gets under way this weekend, but only four out of eight games will be available to watch on free-to-air television, prompting criticism from fans.
- by Nell Geraets
Opinion
Ireland
Forget the ’G on grand final day or an Origin decider, this is football for the fans
For those who long for suburban football where, long before corporate boxes and soulless stadiums, all that mattered was your team and the fans – it does still exist.
- by Rob Harris
Opinion
Productivity
NSW Treasury kicks off the new realism: Productivity won’t be speeding up
Economists don’t know as much about what causes productivity improvement as they ought to.
- by Ross Gittins
The brave Bunny taking two painkilling injections for every game
Latrell Mitchell will be the star attraction in Perth, but spare a thought for one of his Souths teammates who is still battling a painful blow he received in round one.
- by Christian Nicolussi
‘It’s about winning something’: As minnows topple giants, Matildas see a World Cup opportunity
The rise of lower-ranked nations and the shock exit of several tournament favourites has opened up all sorts of possibilities for Australia as they prepare for the knockout phase.
- by Vince Rugari
Giants chase another record win, but coach warns of complacency against Swans
The Giants are chasing a record eighth-straight win on Saturday night, but GWS coach Adam Kingsley is adamant the 26th Sydney derby is a toss-of-the-coin game.
- by Billie Eder
The Aussie twins taking the world by storm with ‘ouija board’ movie
Danny and Michael Philippou, aka RackaRacka, have long promised big things. With their debut feature, Talk To Me, the internet sensations have finally delivered.
- by Karl Quinn
Economy could shrink under interest rates and tax: RBA
The economy is facing its worst non-pandemic year since the 1990-91 recession as high interest rates, inflation and taxes hit the nation’s consumers.
- by Shane Wright
‘Biggest challenge we’ve ever had’: Diamonds face moment of truth against fired-up Jamaica
Australian netball great Cath Cox has no doubt that the Diamonds face their greatest challenge when they play Jamaica in the Netball World Cup semi-finals.
- by Roy Ward
★★★
Reality TV
A new batch of starry-eyed singers pray the judges will spin their chairs
The talent show may be as old as TV itself, but the blind auditions of The Voice are a reminder of why singing competitions are so hard to resist.
- by Ben Pobjie
Remoteness no longer enough: NZ defence needs more money to counter China, climate change
New Zealand’s first national security strategy underscores how China’s rise is upending old norms – even 9000 kilometres away in Wellington.
- by Lewis Jackson and Lucy Craymer
‘The songline runs on’: Yunupingu’s family pledge to carry on Garma founder’s work
The Garma Festival’s opening day included a moving memorial ceremony to its founder, the late Aboriginal leader and land rights activist Yunupingu.
- by Lisa Visentin
Canadian province withdraws Commonwealth Games bid
In a further blow to the embattled Commonwealth Games Federation, the Canadian province of Alberta has withdrawn its bid for the 2030 games.
Latest Reviews
Sydney live reviews
Two actors take on the multiverse in jaw-dropping new production
A wrap of the week’s live reviews, including Mr Bailey’s Minder at Ensemble, Constellations at Sydney Theatre Company, and Mad Scenes with Jessica Pratt.
- by John Shand and Peter McCallum
Beauty pageant sets the scene for modern-day culture clash
Miss Peony tells the story of Chinese-Australian women grappling with cultural identity in 21st century Australia.
- by Sonia Nair
Woman’s face fractured in alleged Sydney road rage incident
Tori Lee honked her horn at a black sedan when it did not move at an intersection. A man then got out of his car and allegedly punched her in the face.
- by Olivia Ireland
Activists elevate anti-oil message, spend hours on Rishi Sunak’s roof
Greenpeace protesters entered the grounds of British prime minister’s listed manor house in North Yorkshire, using ladders and ropes to scale the building.
- by Ewan Somerville, Martin Evans and Dominic Penna
Eddie McGuire says axed Hot Seat is ‘too good’ not to return
The long-running game show, which has given away more than $90 million over its lifespan, will be no more from January 2024.
- by Karl Quinn
‘Unprecedented’: US sailors charged with selling military secrets to China
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray said last year that the FBI opens a new counterintelligence case against China every 12 hours on average.
- by Peter Martin and Chris Strohm
Labor accused of propping up gas projects with carbon pollution permits
The government says its bill is needed to regulate international trade and storage of carbon pollution, while the Greens say it throws a lifeline to gas projects.
- by Mike Foley
Updated
US politics
‘We can’t let this happen’, Trump says after pleading not guilty to 2020 election plot
A trial date has not yet been set, but the former US president is expected to fight the charges by arguing that he is protected by America’s right to free speech.
- by Farrah Tomazin
‘Her dreams were stolen’: Slain schoolgirl’s family confront ‘monster’
Michelle Bright’s mother and brothers sobbed as they told the court of their “unending grief” in the decades since the 17-year-old was murdered by Craig Rumsby.
- by Sarah McPhee
Best friends, training partners, rivals: How a housemate could upstage Peter Bol
While Peter Bol was fighting to clear his name, his longtime housemate quietly broke the Olympic hero’s national record. Again.
- by Michael Gleeson
The Weekly Sports Quiz: Test your knowledge
How well did you pay attention to the sporting headlines this week?
‘I’m not a trained diplomat, I’m a recovering politician’: Lunch with Barry O’Farrell
The former premier had never lived overseas. Then he became ambassador to India.
- by Matt Wade
Mortgage pain is set to get worse. Here’s how banks are getting ready for it
Banks have signalled they will support customers struggling with higher interest rates – but it won’t be the same as COVID-19 rescue packages.
- by Clancy Yeates and Millie Muroi
Updated
ABC
WA premier lashes ABC in letter to Buttrose over Four Corners presence at protest
“The fact that an ABC TV crew attended the private home of a WA citizen to document the committing of alleged criminal acts is cause for great concern and morally wrong,” Roger Cook wrote.
- by Daile Cross
Opinion
Divorce
Going on holiday with your ex doesn’t have to be weird. Just ask the Trudeaus
Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire’s decision to sail off into the sunset together might sound weird, but it’s proof that divorce doesn’t have to be a bitter slanging match.
- by Kate Halfpenny
Exclusive
American Football
‘I can’t fix it’: Siposs banishes heartache over that costly Super Bowl punt
He’s an Australian who has done well in one of the most cut-throat competitions in world sport, the NFL. But that didn’t protect him from the ire of Philadelphia Eagles fans after a Super Bowl loss.
- by Jon Pierik
Updated
Mergers & acquisitions
ANZ to challenge ACCC knockback of $4.9b Suncorp deal
ANZ will appeal the ACCC’s rejection of what would have been the biggest transaction in Australian banking since Westpac’s 2008 takeover of St George.
- by Millie Muroi
The ‘gateway horror’ ABC kids show that toppled Bluey at the Logies
What, no Bluey? The creators of Crazy Fun Park were just as shocked as the rest of the country when they won the Logie for Most Outstanding Children’s program.
- by Thomas Mitchell
Brown facing one-match suspension for rapid send-off, but where does he rank in the hall of shame?
The Roosters forward was marched after being on the field for just 30 seconds against Manly on Thursday night, but it isn’t the fastest send-off in the game’s history.
- by Adam Pengilly and Billie Eder
Russia blames ‘phone scammers’ for tricking elderly into fire-bombing army enlistment offices
Most of the perpetrators of the recent attacks have been identified as aged 50 or older, according to media reports from two dozen Russian regions.
- by Nataliya Vasilyeva
Updated
US politics
The legal troubles of former US president Donald Trump
As he campaigns for the Republican nomination for the 2024 US election, the legal troubles facing former president Donald Trump continue to grow.
‘Never washing my hand again’: How Latrell fever is sweeping the west
South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell was given the sort of fan reception normally reserved for AFL stars in Perth this week.
- by Christian Nicolussi
‘I’ve been in his ear’: Cleary confident Luai will stay a Panther
Penrith can’t match what Jarome Luai can earn elsewhere but Nathan Cleary says playing at such a successful club is priceless.
- by Christian Nicolussi
Australia was stripped bare by feral animals. This sanctuary is reversing decades of damage
Like stepping inside a time machine, Newhaven in the Northern Territory offers a glimpse of Australia before Europeans arrived.
- by Nick O'Malley and Nick Moir
Is it cool to take your parents to a university open day?
Should you go when you’re in year 12, or is year 9 better? With university open day season about to get under way, experts and students answer these questions and more.
- by Larissa Ham
Matildas waltz to round of 16, but football fans are hip hopping mad
Despite being frustrated at the lack of free-to-air coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, readers agreed the Matildas represent the very best of Australia’s skill and ability.
‘Crocodile of Wall Street’ pleads guilty in billion-dollar Bitcoin hack case
A hacker and his social-media rapper wife pleaded guilty to a money-laundering conspiracy tied to the theft of billions of dollars of Bitcoin.
- by Sabrina Willmer
Explainer
Health
It starts as an itch then the urge grows: What’s it like to have Tourette’s?
Most people with Tourette’s actually don’t swear, but their tics can be hard to control. Still, many succeed in reframing Tourette’s as just one part of who they are. What’s it like to live with this disorder?
- by Jackson Graham
Trump indictment LIVE updates: Former US president appears in court, pleads not guilty over January 6 US Capitol attack
Trump is due to appear in court on Friday morning after being charged with attempting to overturn the 2020 US election result. Follow our rolling coverage.
- by Latika Bourke
To stop Iranian seizures, US may put Marines on commercial ships
The contemplated move also would represent an extraordinary commitment in the Mideast by US forces as the Pentagon tries to focus on Russia and China.
- by Lolita C. Baldor and Jon Gambrell
‘You’ve changed my life’: Sydney syndicate wins more than $50 million in Powerball
Half of Thursday’s $100 million Powerball was won by a syndicate of 10 people from Sydney, but the Victorian who won the other half cannot be contacted.
- by Olivia Ireland
Opinion
Wallabies
Is Eddie Jones the sad clown of Australian rugby – or just diverting our attention?
The Wallabies coach and Tony Soprano might have more in common than many of us think.
- by Andrew Webster
I have a landline phone and I know exactly what that says about me
It rarely rings, but the fact of its existence is a dead giveaway.
- by Richard Glover
‘He’d hate it, so I’m doing it’: Telling the Michael Gudinski story
Director Paul Goldman spills the beans on the troubled journey to screen of a documentary about Mushroom group founder and Oz rock pioneer Michael Gudinski.
- by Karl Quinn
The story behind Elvis’ musical revolution makes it global debut in Australia
A new musical explores how the king of rock’n’roll changed popular music forever.
- by Michael Lallo
Cate Blanchett no longer Lady Marmalade as star unloads $800,000 artwork
The artwork by sculptor Rosalie Gascoigne will be auctioned after spending the past two decades at Blanchett’s Sydney and UK residences.
- by Angus Dalton and Simone Fox Koob
The Dine and Discover-style proposal that would raise Sydney’s road tolls
A prominent think tank has told a review into NSW road tolls that the government should consider transport vouchers rather than reduce toll prices.
- by Michael Koziol
Travel quiz: What Australian island is home to Whitehaven Beach?
Are you an expert traveller? Test your knowledge with the weekly travel quiz.
Government mulling superannuation as part of aged care solution
Sources close to the government said it was a “no-brainer” for super to be part of the mix for funding aged care as costs climb over the next decade.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Exclusive
Mining
Will Rio Tinto be dragged into the $1.22 billion Hancock case?
Descendants of the business partners of Gina Rinehart’s father want to claw back billions of dollars in iron ore royalties from her company Hancock Prospecting.
- by Simon Johanson and Jesinta Burton
Lizzo says she’s ‘not the villain’ after dancers’ sexual harassment allegations
Three of the Grammy winner’s former backup dancers made numerous allegations including sexual, religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault and false imprisonment.
Multiple victims after car ramming, stabbing incident in South Korea
Authorities said at least 14 people were wounded in the country’s second mass stabbing in a month.
- by Kim Tong-Hyung
Germany in shock exit from World Cup, Colombia and Morocco progress
Two-time winners Germany are out of the Women’s World Cup in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history – and the Matildas may yet stand to benefit.
- by Joel Gould
Escorted, fingerprinted and booked: Donald Trump’s date with destiny
The former US president is due to appear in court Friday morning after being charged with attempting to overturn the 2020 election result. Here’s what we can expect.
- by Glenn Thrush
Opinion
AFL 2023
A weak suspension: How the AFL mishandled the Miller-Zorko incident
For the AFL to have dithered for the better part of a week in dealing with the Touk Miller-Dayne Zorko incident is remarkable.
- by Andrew Stafford
Exclusive
State Parliament
Sacked minister’s chief of staff reported family’s ‘substantial’ property portfolio
Tim Crakanthorp’s chief of staff raised the alarm with the premier’s office after his boss failed to disclose his family’s land holdings.
- by Michael McGowan
Albanese ‘shifty’, ‘incompetent’ and ‘out of his depth’ on Voice: Dutton
Anthony Albanese hit back, reminding Australians that Dutton had walked out on the apology to stolen generations.
- by Paul Sakkal
Rate cuts tipped for next year as shoppers slash spending like it’s 1991
The biggest fall in the volume of goods bought by shoppers in over 30 years has economists warning the Reserve Bank will have to cut interest rates in 2024.
- by Shane Wright
The Wolf of Wall Street Lamborghini is up for grabs
The rare car features prominently in the infamous Quaaludes scene, wherein a heavily inebriated Leonardo DiCaprio, playing financier Jordan Belfort, struggles to drive home.
- by Hannah Elliott