The Booklist
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Exclusive
Private schools
Private schoolboys accused of ‘punishing’ classmates with straps
Police have been called in by a prestigious Victorian school to investigate claims a punishment ring of senior boarding students with a “perverse sense of justice” has repeatedly assaulted younger boarders.
Updated
Defence
Flights warned as Chinese ships hold live fire drill in waters between Australia and New Zealand
Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to discuss the Chinese naval exercise when she meets with China’s foreign minister at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Exclusive
Hospitals
Fresh funding fight brewing between hospitals and Allan government
The state’s hospitals say they need hundreds of millions to realise the new health service networks, but the timing could be tricky.
Locals hate this level crossing removal plan. Now even Labor MPs are attacking it
Residents say the plan would split their inner-west community in two. Now, pressure is growing after local federal and state MPs spoke out.
‘I killed my daughter’: What happens when a forgotten child dies in a car
When the unimaginable happens, families, authorities and communities are left with many questions.
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Netanyahu vows to make Hamas ‘pay the full price’ for returning wrong body
The Israeli PM’s comments come as Hamas confirms the remains of Shiri Babas had been mixed up in the rubble after an air strike.
Norma is almost 90. She just bought a beloved general store in regional Victoria
The heart of the town of Guildford will beat again when the century-old store reopens this weekend.
Childcare centres doling out luxe perks to woo big-spending parents
Competition between childcare centres and parents’ appetite for “holistic advancement” for their children is driving offerings upmarket at daycare facilities.
Opinion
Sam Kerr
Poms, put aside your Ouija boards – Australians do have common sense about Sam Kerr
Short of words and desperate for a donut, a mother country scribe has decided to attack this columnist for his piece on Kerr.
John Silvester
Crime reporter
VFL club to vote on future of exiled footballer Tarryn Thomas
Although there is a desire to sign the former North Melbourne playmaker, the final decision will rest with the board and key sponsors.
Aussie sparkling rosé is the best in the world – and one area punches above its weight
Move over France. The popularity of Australian sparkling rosé is surging. Here are five to try.
Once uncool, Birkenstocks are now all the rage. But are they ‘art’? A court had to make a choice
The cork-soled sandals have enjoyed something of a rebirth since Margot Robbie wore a pink pair in Barbie.
Marriage material: The denim you can wear to a wedding
As luxury brands invest in denim, the iconic maker of working-class jeans, Levi’s, is reclaiming its territory. Plus, the best denim trends of 2025.
Opinion
Trade wars
The real reason Trump is waging a global trade war
Donald Trump’s tornado of tariff announcements is about more than bringing world leaders to their knees.
Melissa Lawford
Opinion
Press freedom
It’s impossible to do justice to an entire continent, but I’ll do my best
From deadly wildfires to air disasters and glittering inauguration balls, it’s been a whirlwind start to my stint as North America correspondent.
Michael Koziol
North America correspondent
Victoria
Government whacks secretive men-only clubs with massive tax bill
The Melbourne Club and Australian Club are fighting combined seven-figure land tax bills, claiming their heritage status restricts redevelopment of the land.
Updated
Public transport
Tap on, tap off: Victorians will finally be able to pay for public transport with cards
More than 20,000 new myki readers will be installed at Victorian train stations in a staggered rollout of a new public transport payment system.
Updated
Victoria Police
Second top cop ousted: No contract renewal for deputy commissioner
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson is the latest top cop to be cut from command.
‘Killed my son for nothing’: Family grieve model fatally stabbed in Melbourne’s west
Natan Mwanza’s career was flourishing when his life was cut short in an attack on Wednesday.
The shocking numbers that lay bare Victoria’s ballooning public service
Treasurer Jaclyn Symes spent her summer studying the state’s books. She is deeply troubled by what she found.
Weekend Reads
Charlotte arrived in Australia with a backpack and no idea about racing. Now she’s chasing group 1 glory
The boutique trainer has her first group 1 runner on Saturday at Caulfield, where the horses will be paraded at the old mounting yard instead of a new $60 million facility.
The MCG-sized garden set to make Melbourne’s arts precinct feel like a nature reserve
On a city rooftop, horticulturalists are putting plants through their paces to see which will make the cut.
Politics
Europe slammed Trump on Ukraine. Albanese took a different course
Germany’s chancellor castigated Donald Trump for calling Ukraine’s president a “dictator”. But Anthony Albanese used much milder language.
Business
Opinion
Mergers & acquisitions
$2.7 billion bid for Domain puts Nine in a bind
The real estate site has been a sub-par performer for its majority owner, but accepting the cash offer would have profound implications for the media sector.
Colin Kruger
Senior Business Reporter
World
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
‘Violation of utmost severity’: Israel says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two of the bodies were identified as infant Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel, while a third body that was supposed to be their mother, Shiri, was found not to match with any hostage, the military said.
Opinion
How art was ransacked by ineptitude, political pandering and confected outrage
Liz Ann Macgregor
Curator, former MCA director
When a murky caravan becomes a toxic bandwagon, it’s time for restraint
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
Australia thinks it’s driving a Ford Ranger when it’s really in a Model T
Shane Wright
Senior economics correspondent
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Property
The harsh reality that quadruples a person’s chance of buying a home
Poor saving habits and a precarious economy can stymie the chances of home ownership, but they pale in comparison to other factors that help.
The couple who built a life-sized replica Noah’s ark, complete with drawbridge
The new owner can live on a hill, look out over the ocean and get the impression the building is floating.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Albanese and fiancee join the couples saying ‘I do’ with pet dogs in tow
First dog Toto will feature in the wedding of the prime minister and his fiancee Jodie Haydon, part of a trend where pets are part of the family - especially on the big day.
Opinion
Social media
Food for thought: If we are what we eat, I’m probably Vegemite toast
Kerri Sackville
Columnist and author
Culture
This revolutionary game just turned 25 and is showing no signs of losing its cult-like following
A game in which you can build your dream home, become a celebrity, and get revenge without consequence? The Sims cracked the code on life simulation.
Traveller
Drivedrive
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Sport
Exclusive
AFL 2025
‘He’s not being pressured or coerced’: Bombers coach gives free agent space
While rival clubs circle the energetic ruckman, Essendon coach Brad Scott does not want him rushing a decision on his future.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2025
Are teams gaming the system? Behind the AFL’s ‘bizarre’ rule change
The ball will now be bounced by an umpire after a club is warned for a 6-6-6 infringement at a centre bounce after a goal, to avoid teams being tempted to gain a competitive advantage.
Charlotte arrived in Australia with a backpack and no idea about racing. Now she’s chasing group 1 glory
The boutique trainer has her first group 1 runner on Saturday at Caulfield, where the horses will be paraded at the old mounting yard instead of a new $60 million facility.
Analysis
AFL 2025
Movers and shake-ups: Your guide to each AFL club’s positional changes
New year, new beginning. On the eve of a new season, every AFL club is managing changes of personnel. Catch up on all the positional moves, potential or otherwise, with our club-by-club guide.
Miserable Cup opener for Matildas as they suffer 4-0 defeat to Japan
Australia suffered their heaviest defeat to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup in Houston on Friday morning (Australia time).
‘Strategic’: Racing powerhouse cuts jobs across two states
The powerhouse Ciaron Maher stable has confirmed it is cutting staff across two states as part of a “corporate clean-up” heading into the autumn carnival.
Luke Sayers, a flag drought and communism: Members unload at Carlton AGM
Two things were at the forefront of Carlton members’ minds at the club’s AGM – how long did they have to wait for a flag, and who was replacing Luke Sayers on the board.
Have Your Say
Venus Williams’ ‘comeback’ is an indictment on tennis
It is a win for nostalgic fans who remember the seven-time grand slam champion’s halcyon days, but make no mistake, this is an indictment on a women’s tour lacking in star power.
Marc McGowan
Sports reporter
