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Jailing children fails on every measure. So why do we persist?

Jailing children fails on every measure. So why do we persist?

It costs $1.3m a year to keep a child in prison. And it doesn’t work.

latest 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Saul Eslake

Yes, the UN is terrible – but right now, we need it desperately

Yes, the UN is terrible – but right now, we need it desperately

As 130 armed conflicts rage around the world, United Nations agencies are saving millions of lives, even as UN workers risk their own.

latest 1

The Sydney Morning Herald

Nicholas Kristof

‘Something’s changed’: Why Socceroos’ confidence has gone through the roof

‘Something’s changed’: Why Socceroos’ confidence has gone through the roof

Australia’s World Cup campaign sparked an unprecedented wave of career-changing transfers. Against Brazil, the impact was clear for everyone to see.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Vince Rugari

As three countries move to quit UK, a Brexit reversal might be its only hope

As three countries move to quit UK, a Brexit reversal might be its only hope

New PM Andy Burnham may well promise a second referendum on EU membership to save Labour seats – and the Union itself.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

George Brandis

Is Boks’ bench really a ‘bomb squad’? Maybe not, but it can still blow the Wallabies to bits

Is Boks’ bench really a ‘bomb squad’? Maybe not, but it can still blow the Wallabies to bits

The strength in depth of South African rugby can be seen again by the quality of their replacements, and Les Kiss’ side will need to be at their...

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Cully

The big, fat, boozy lie that’s taken me more than 40 years to unpack

As of this month I haven’t picked up a drink for a year, and I’ve made some huge discoveries.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Nick Galvin

If humans are the problem, can humans be the solution?

If humans are the problem, can humans be the solution?

Long before our fears over pandemics, AI and climate change, the Bible spoke eloquently and repeatedly on the topic of security.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Barney Zwartz

Should you fix your mortgage in the face of a looming rate rise?

Should you fix your mortgage in the face of a looming rate rise?

The financially stretched and stressed might contemplate fixing their mortgage ahead of Tuesday’s expected increase. It may not be the best idea.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

A round of applause for ICAC, fighting good fight for people of NSW

A round of applause for ICAC, fighting good fight for people of NSW

Operation Rosny proves the watchdog’s value in protecting the democratic process in NSW against corruption.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

The Herald's View

Before his speech went viral, this boys’ school headmaster ran it past his daughter

Before his speech went viral, this boys’ school headmaster ran it past his daughter

He told the boys he wanted every young woman they met to be safer because the boys were there. “Not safe from you - safer because of you.”

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Fitzsimons

House poor, super rich: The one area young Australians are winning

House poor, super rich: The one area young Australians are winning

When comparing younger generations with older Australians financially, there are many issues to lament. But there’s also a striking bright spot on...

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Victoria Devine

I’ve inherited $400,000 in shares. What should I do with them?

I’ve inherited $400,000 in shares. What should I do with them?

I’ve paid off my mortgage but want to boost my super. If I sell the shares, it will trigger significant capital gains tax.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Paul Benson

Albanese got the gong, but misogyny is the real global citizen

Albanese got the gong, but misogyny is the real global citizen

It’s a brave woman who dares to challenge the left-leaning orthodoxy.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Parnell Palme McGuinness

Cleary is aiming to do a Cronk. But have Panthers already clinched the ultimate prize?

Cleary is aiming to do a Cronk. But have Panthers already clinched the ultimate prize?

The star halfback will attempt to emulate Roosters great Cooper Cronk by leading his side to a premiership while carrying a serious injury. Meanwhile,...

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Danny Weidler

Wharfie Time and Fagan’s heroes chime Freo’s doom in one of the greatest grand finals

Wharfie Time and Fagan’s heroes chime Freo’s doom in one of the greatest grand finals

A week after their improbable win in a preliminary final many rated the greatest game of all time, Brisbane pulled off another miraculous triumph in a...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

The Dockers had one hand on the premiership cup. Then came four minutes that turned the grand final

The Dockers had one hand on the premiership cup. Then came four minutes that turned the grand final

When the bells tolled for Wharfie Time with just over four minutes left, few, if any, of the 100,023 crammed into the MCG could have imagined what...

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Andrew Wu

The Lion who scored a perfect 10 – and the Docker who scored just one: AFL grand final player ratings

The Lion who scored a perfect 10 – and the Docker who scored just one: AFL grand final player ratings

With minutes to go, Fremantle looked to have secured their first-ever AFL premiership. The Lions stopped them cold. Who soared and who flopped, on the...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Libby Birch

‘Computer says no’: I asked AI the pitfalls of asking AI for money advice

‘Computer says no’: I asked AI the pitfalls of asking AI for money advice

More than three million Australians use AI for financial advice. Here are the 10 reasons AI gave me not to use it.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon

The ‘striking’ difference in how Trump and Xi used their invisible summit

The ‘striking’ difference in how Trump and Xi used their invisible summit

While the US president focused on pomp and prestige, his Chinese counterpart reinforced Beijing’s geopolitical message. But neither side achieved...

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Michael Koziol

Albanese’s trip to the UN was more than selfies with leaders. Now he needs to convince voters

Albanese’s trip to the UN was more than selfies with leaders. Now he needs to convince voters

The prime minister has several foreign trips in coming months. He will need to explain to voters why rubbing shoulders with foreign leaders matters.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Rob Harris

What do I do now that I’m retired? The question should be what don’t I do

What do I do now that I’m retired? The question should be what don’t I do

I may need to go back to a nine-to-five just to free up some spare time.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Richard Glover

Finally, this food bible’s coming to Australia. But Sydney and Melbourne must wait

Finally, this food bible’s coming to Australia. But Sydney and Melbourne must wait

South Australia is getting Australia’s Michelin Guide, and there’s a story behind that.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Symonne Torpy

Never played AFL, too old? If this is Fagan’s farewell, he’s broken the mould

Never played AFL, too old? If this is Fagan’s farewell, he’s broken the mould

Chris Fagan’s 10 years as senior coach have transformed not simply the Brisbane Lions, but the clubs’ conception of what matters in coaching.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Neale has behaved selfishly, but he’s worth the angst. He owes the Lions one last hurrah

Neale has behaved selfishly, but he’s worth the angst. He owes the Lions one last hurrah

An affair, a marriage break-up, and the search for a new club: Inside the tumultuous season of Lachie Neale.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Caroline Wilson

Why Australia simply cannot afford to miss this AI wave

Why Australia simply cannot afford to miss this AI wave

For future prosperity and security, and to have any real influence over the big beasts of AI, Australia must convince them to train their models here.

yesterday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Hartcher

Congratulations on the new gig, PVL. But you’ve dropped the ball with the grand final entertainment

Congratulations on the new gig, PVL. But you’ve dropped the ball with the grand final entertainment

Peter V’landys is now rugby league’s benevolent dictator, and his first job should be to send an SOS to Hugh Jackman to sort out this fiasco.

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The Sydney Morning Herald

Peter Fitzsimons

Think there’ll be no age pension when you retire? Think again

Think there’ll be no age pension when you retire? Think again

Every time I discuss the age pension, someone pipes up on social media to say it won’t be there by the time they retire.

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Bec Wilson

Grand final bets are off because WA and Qld premiers are too busy

Grand final bets are off because WA and Qld premiers are too busy

With less than a day to go until the Fremantle Dockers take on the Brisbane Lions in Saturday’s AFL decider, WA Premier Roger Cook and Queensland...

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Hamish Hastie

Frailty, thy name is football: On-field success, off-field drama

Frailty, thy name is football: On-field success, off-field drama

If scandals and controversy were the season’s underbelly, on field the action was compelling.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Age's View

The Lachie Neale case highlighted a flaw in AFL’s rules. Here’s my lawyer’s fix

The Lachie Neale case highlighted a flaw in AFL’s rules. Here’s my lawyer’s fix

Other sports have recognised that a one-match ban can be a disproportionately severe punishment depending on the match in which it is served. The...

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Darren Kane

Constable’s death and the dark territory that goes with job

Constable’s death and the dark territory that goes with job

The death of a young female NSW Police officer is a reminder of the dangers of standing in harm’s way on behalf of the community.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Herald's View

I am a single mother by choice. Why am I hit with a ‘solo parent’ penalty?

I am a single mother by choice. Why am I hit with a ‘solo parent’ penalty?

There is no ‘spare adult’ to play backstop in single-parent households – and Australia has 1.2 million of them. We haven’t adjusted for this reality.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Katherine Danks

Ed Sheeran made an art of being inoffensive: Here’s why it didn’t work

Ed Sheeran made an art of being inoffensive: Here’s why it didn’t work

How is it that the singer ended up offending everyone? This is a study in the mental and moral gymnastics of inoffensiveness.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Malcolm Knox

Think you brush your teeth well? Chances are, you’re doing it wrong

Think you brush your teeth well? Chances are, you’re doing it wrong

Riddle: It is something we do every day, hopefully twice a day, but even when we try our hardest, most of us fail.

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Julie Power

I’ve devised the perfect solution to adult kids living at home. Out at 20, welcomed back at 30

I’ve devised the perfect solution to adult kids living at home. Out at 20, welcomed back at 30

I want my kids back home, but with them improved in all ways since they packed their drum kits and cricket stuff and burned off to their own share...

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Kate Halfpenny

The Sam Walker files: Why the NRL’s greatest minds love this one-man mystery

Champion halves boasting 14 titles and 1500 games between them all agree. Sam Walker – the gambler, meticulous planner and ambidextrous rogue – is...

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Dan Walsh

Albanese once criticised rivals for abusing this power. Just look at him now

Albanese once criticised rivals for abusing this power. Just look at him now

Anthony Albanese promised to fix the political staffing system when he was elected in 2022. Instead, he’s made it worse.

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

James Massola

News24 merch sold using the face of pro-migrant influencer

News24 merch sold using the face of pro-migrant influencer

A Brazilian-Latvian influencer who has spoken out about racism is the inadvertent face of T-shirts for the conservative news and opinion outlet.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Calum Jaspan

Is it a good idea to mix business with pleasure?

Is it a good idea to mix business with pleasure?

A romantic relationship with a colleague might cause genuine problems but if you’re just inviting them to a barbecue, there is room to manoeuvre.

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jonathan Rivett

We don’t need more babies - and not just because we have migrants

We don’t need more babies - and not just because we have migrants

We shouldn’t be aiming for more children, but it might be a side-effect of focusing on the right thing as we face an ageing population.

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Millie Muroi

Sydney could host an AFLW Gather Round. What about Marvel on grand final eve?

Sydney could host an AFLW Gather Round. What about Marvel on grand final eve?

Instead, there are four games at three different venues, one of which is an eyesore.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Kelli Underwood

Crazy and crazier: ICAC unravels Jean Nassif’s paranoia

Crazy and crazier: ICAC unravels Jean Nassif’s paranoia

Extortion attempts, secret recordings and shakedowns all featured the day’s evidence. The great confusion was who was doing what to whom.

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Kate McClymont

The US media boycott hit Trump right where it hurts. Now it’s Hanson’s turn

The US media boycott hit Trump right where it hurts. Now it’s Hanson’s turn

Solidarity? In America? Among the media? It seems astonishing that anything quite so unified could grow from America’s famously polarised soil.

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Waleed Aly

Flawed reasons for a just outcome: Why Neale playing in the grand final is the right thing

Flawed reasons for a just outcome: Why Neale playing in the grand final is the right thing

The underlying wrinkle of this case is that the match review system leaves little room for shades of grey in the grading of offences.

thursday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jake Niall

Nice work on the Medicare hack, Albo, but you’re still letting AI steal my art

Nice work on the Medicare hack, Albo, but you’re still letting AI steal my art

Come to Australia, steal and plunder. That’s the prime minister’s message to the AI giants.

thursday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Ben Quilty

Diana’s brother says he is an ‘eyewitness to history’ in his memoir. But is he a reliable narrator?

Diana’s brother says he is an ‘eyewitness to history’ in his memoir. But is he a reliable narrator?

Factual errors are only part of the reason critics are lashing his book as a cash grab. The true state of Earl Spencer’s relationship with his...

thursday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Bronte Gossling

Performance art or marketing ploy? The empty promise of South Korea’s ‘dopamine shops’

Performance art or marketing ploy? The empty promise of South Korea’s ‘dopamine shops’

The quirky trend is digital edging for the person who gets off on designer labels, not sex – PornHub for the Carrie Bradshaws of the world.

thursday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Lauren Ironmonger

More than a wolf warrior: China’s top diplomat begins Canberra charm offensive

More than a wolf warrior: China’s top diplomat begins Canberra charm offensive

Liu Jinsong’s first Australian speech was not a time to emphasise differences, but to accentuate the positive – and implore both sides to pursue...

thursday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Matthew Knott

How McDonald’s is grappling with the Ozempic boom

How McDonald’s is grappling with the Ozempic boom

The company synonymous with super-sized everything is revamping its menu for an era of slimming waist lines.

thursday 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Kishor Napier-Raman

What lazy Roman elites can teach us about the AI in the workplace

What lazy Roman elites can teach us about the AI in the workplace

An ancient Roman philosopher wrote about a wealthy and lazy man who desired to appear worldly and educated, without wanting to do the hard work of...

thursday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tim Duggan