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From AFP raid target to eulogist: Sky’s Whittaker gets the last word on Richo

In this week’s On Background, Boris forgives an old target, scuttlebutt over a succession in Guardian Towers, a clampdown on Christmas...

12.12.2025 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Calum Jaspan

‘It’s really tariffs’: Cutting through the fog, Fed lowers rates again

The US central bank cut interest rates for the third time, but with the spectre of a new Trump-appointed chair looming, dissent among its members...

latest 8

The Sydney Morning Herald

Stephen Bartholomeusz

If I had a teenager, I’d rather they were addicted to smoking than scrolling

Two-thirds of the British public think increased social media use is a key driver of rising youth mental health problems and 75 per cent support...

latest 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

Fred Thomas

Stick with Bazball or swallow some pride? How England can save the Ashes

England are 2-0 down and the knives are out over the Bazball philosophy of coach Brendon McCullum and his team. So we’ve piloted in cricket writers...

latest 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tom Decent

Cat and mouse: How under-16s are circumventing the social media ban

Most kids on social media will be blocked, but here’s how the most relentless plan to stay.

latest 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tim Biggs

Master of the universe: Musk wants to take data centres to space

He’s already the world’s richest man. His latest move is making Elon Musk look increasingly like the poster boy for extreme universal capitalism.

latest 4

The Sydney Morning Herald

Elizabeth Knight

Albanese is getting close to his ‘I don’t hold a hose’ moment

The prime minister’s sudden insistence the expenses saga has nothing to do with him has left even some of his own colleagues blinking.

latest 6

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Rob Harris

Usually confident Albanese puts a wrong foot forward

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese passes the buck on MP expenses.

latest 1

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The Herald&x27S View

What to do when your child plays detective to unmask Santa

If you are accused of being Santa, perhaps diffuse the crisis by answering a question with a question.

latest 1

The Sydney Morning Herald

Melissa Coburn

Social media bans are nothing new to me, and here’s why they don’t work

We need to educate everyone, not just those under 16, about how to navigate the beast.

latest 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Brodie Lancaster

With single act, Nobel Peace Prize winner drastically raises stakes in Trump stand-off

Overnight, Maria Corina Machado has re-established herself as a major player in an escalating game of brinkmanship between the US president and...

latest 1

The Sydney Morning Herald

Anatoly Kurmanaev

Christmas etiquette used to be simple. These are the new rules for our bizarre times

Christmas etiquette used to be simple. These are the new rules for our bizarre times

Deck the halls with boughs of folly – it’s party time! The heady combination of alcohol, mistletoe, silly hats, flashing antlers, family reunions...

latest 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Kathy Lette

Drivers aged over 40 are pushing us towards record-high road tolls

Drivers aged over 40 are pushing us towards record-high road tolls

Going for an afternoon walk the other day with my wife and our hound, a motorcycle roared up our quiet suburban street. About three seconds later...

latest 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Shane Wright

Politicians work damn hard. Let’s be careful about shredding their ‘perks’

Politicians work damn hard. Let’s be careful about shredding their ‘perks’

It is an uncomfortable truth, but here we go. Most politicians work damn hard. I have been covering politics for much of my lengthy journalism...

latest 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Alexandra Smith

Tariff rescue: Trump gives Band-Aids to the farmers he hurt

Tariff rescue: Trump gives Band-Aids to the farmers he hurt

This week Donald Trump announced an $18 billion bailout of US farmers, saying that it wouldn’t have been possible without the revenue from his...

yesterday 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Stephen Bartholomeusz

Kids can still use social media – they just can’t sign their lives away to tech giants

Kids can still use social media – they just can’t sign their lives away to tech giants

Australia has just enacted one of the most important reforms in the international movement to protect kids from the industrial-scale harms caused...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jonathan Haidt

I take it all back. Barnaby is a fool, after all

I take it all back. Barnaby is a fool, after all

I have long defended Barnaby Joyce as one of the smartest strategists in conservative politics. I disagreed with him on almost every subject, but...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Rk Crosby

Vanishing act: The Anika Wells expenses exclusive pulled by News Corp

Vanishing act: The Anika Wells expenses exclusive pulled by News Corp

It was a red-hot political exclusive that triggered a week of searing coverage about Communication and Sport Minister Anika Wells’ expenses. So why...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Calum Jaspan

The only way is up: The RBA’s interest rate reprieve is over

The only way is up: The RBA’s interest rate reprieve is over

As interest rate cycles go, this was one of the shortest and shallowest in history. This week, with a stroke of the pen, the Reserve Bank engineered...

yesterday 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Elizabeth Knight

Wells’ expenses a costly distraction from admirable social media ban

Wells’ expenses a costly distraction from admirable social media ban

The Albanese government is proudly promoting its groundbreaking under-16 social media ban – but the ongoing coverage of Communications Minister...

yesterday 4

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Herald&x27S View

They’re Australians whose cause was bloodthirsty and lawless. Here’s why we should bring them home

They’re Australians whose cause was bloodthirsty and lawless. Here’s why we should bring them home

Six months into his second term as prime minister, Anthony Albanese’s government is entrenching its own reputation for political timidity, with the...

yesterday 6

The Sydney Morning Herald

Michael Bachelard

A piece of turf the size of a doormat is deciding another Ashes series

A piece of turf the size of a doormat is deciding another Ashes series

The opening two Test matches of the Ashes series have provided a stark, painful lesson for the England cricket team, raising serious questions not...

yesterday 7

The Sydney Morning Herald

Greg Chappell

Slacking off at work? It’s a rational response to unaffordable housing

Slacking off at work? It’s a rational response to unaffordable housing

One of the most common clap backs against complaints about unaffordable housing is that buying a home has always been hard: perhaps if young people...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Millie Muroi

Government blinded by the lights of its own media ban

Government blinded by the lights of its own media ban

Australia’s so-called iconic buildings, bridges and monuments come alive with light displays for special occasions, events and campaigns. Not...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Herald&x27S View

How gifting your grandkids money could actually increase your pension

How gifting your grandkids money could actually increase your pension

The festive season is a time of giving, not just the kind of wrapped gifts under the tree, but the financial ones that help children or...

yesterday 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Rachel Lane

We’ve paid off the house. Where should we invest our money now?

We’ve paid off the house. Where should we invest our money now?

We have paid off our house, and now we wish to invest our surplus money for our future. We are tossing up whether the best investment would be...

yesterday 9

The Sydney Morning Herald

Noel Whittaker

‘They’re killing their own customers’: Beijing, we have a $1.5 trillion problem

‘They’re killing their own customers’: Beijing, we have a $1.5 trillion problem

China’s trade surplus with the rest of the world has surpassed $US1 trillion ($1.5 trillion) for the first time – and that in only 11 months....

previous day 30

The Sydney Morning Herald

Stephen Bartholomeusz

It might seem ‘safe’, but your savings account could be costing you

It might seem ‘safe’, but your savings account could be costing you

Every year, I talk to countless people in the same position: they’re sitting on tens (sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars that they know “...

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Paridhi Jain

Secrecy over Pentagon review suggests there’s stuff in there Australia doesn’t want to talk about

Secrecy over Pentagon review suggests there’s stuff in there Australia doesn’t want to talk about

Given President Donald Trump’s clear and emphatic commitment to the AUKUS agreement, now might be the time for an honest and open conversation...

previous day 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Michael Koziol

Bold plan for an extended substitutes bench could revolutionise the NRL

Bold plan for an extended substitutes bench could revolutionise the NRL

A recommendation from the NRL’s most successful coaches to expand the number of bench players could add tactical intrigue to a game trapped in a...

previous day 10

The Sydney Morning Herald

Roy Masters

Singer’s beach ball rant reveals the fine line between amazing and Garbage festivals

Singer’s beach ball rant reveals the fine line between amazing and Garbage festivals

At Meredith on the weekend, I was once again reminded of what a beautiful communal experience a music festival can be. But at another gathering...

previous day 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Karl Quinn

From AI to Bitcoin: These five trends will dominate markets in 2026

From AI to Bitcoin: These five trends will dominate markets in 2026

Five key trends are likely to dominate investment markets in 2026, including gold and silver prices retaining their strength, while Bitcoin’s...

previous day 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Billy Leung

Hail to the king: Trump will steer battle for the future of Hollywood

Hail to the king: Trump will steer battle for the future of Hollywood

The starting bell has been rung for the battle between entertainment industry corporate titans on which the future of Hollywood rests. And the...

previous day 6

The Sydney Morning Herald

Elizabeth Knight

How did we do? Absolutely fine, until you sent me a stupid email

How did we do? Absolutely fine, until you sent me a stupid email

In the immediate glorious years I first had no family responsibilities, I kicked out the jams. Partied hard. Ate out a lot. Theatre. Music. Hell....

previous day 6

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jenna Price

Rates on hold as RBA grows wary about inflation pressures

Rates on hold as RBA grows wary about inflation pressures

The Reserve Bank did not play Christmas grinch with an interest rate rise at its final meeting of the year, but millions of borrowers could be...

previous day 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Shane Wright

Now, for FIFA’s next trick: Introducing in-game advertising breaks by stealth

Now, for FIFA’s next trick: Introducing in-game advertising breaks by stealth

It has been almost a decade since Gianni Infantino swept into power as FIFA president. Like a frog in a pot being brought to the boil, the...

previous day 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Vince Rugari

The dual pathways open for Khawaja’s Ashes re-election

The dual pathways open for Khawaja’s Ashes re-election

Based on the words of Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday, Australia’s selectors have kept a couple of doors open for Usman Khawaja’s...

previous day 5

The Sydney Morning Herald

Daniel Brettig

Social media ban shouldn’t be judged by its impact on day one

Social media ban shouldn’t be judged by its impact on day one

In the days leading up to December 10, most apps and platforms affected by the government’s new social media age restrictions have already detailed...

previous day 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Tim Biggs

The real reason Anika Wells is bound to survive this scandal

The real reason Anika Wells is bound to survive this scandal

If you want to understand why Anika Wells will probably survive the frenzy of expenses excitement despite falling on her sword and inviting an...

previous day 5

The Sydney Morning Herald

Rob Harris

One idea would have transformed this sport. It’s been ignored

One idea would have transformed this sport. It’s been ignored

Not quite a decade ago, the NSW greyhound industry was facing oblivion. The Baird government was poised to shut it down after an exhaustive inquiry...

previous day 20

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jordan Baker

Richo’s sins are washed as the Love Boat, Gold Coast and other scandals fade into the mist

Richo’s sins are washed as the Love Boat, Gold Coast and other scandals fade into the mist

They travelled from near and far to bid farewell to the former Senator for Kneecaps, solemn and humble in the presence of greatness. Esteemed...

previous day 4

The Sydney Morning Herald

Harriet Alexander

Australia needs to grasp chance to reset defence expectations with the US

Australia needs to grasp chance to reset defence expectations with the US

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong are visiting Washington this week for the 35th Australia-United States...

previous day 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Jennifer Parker

America first? Maybe not, if you ask Trump-voting Americans

America first? Maybe not, if you ask Trump-voting Americans

When US military elites gathered in Simi Valley on the weekend for the Reagan National Defence Forum, they were treated to some surprising results...

previous day 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Michael Koziol

Vicious hazing attack has no place in any school

Vicious hazing attack has no place in any school

The forms of violence known by the term “bastardisation” loom large enough in Australian culture to have given rise to the very word itself as a...

previous day 1

The Sydney Morning Herald

The Herald&x27S View

The passive-aggressive tactics that helped Australia smoke England out of the Ashes

The passive-aggressive tactics that helped Australia smoke England out of the Ashes

Sometimes, the best thing to do in a cricket match is nothing. Often, it is the only thing to do. All sports have their tactical lulls, but...

previous day 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Greg Baum

Trump’s deception exposed as US giants sue

Trump’s deception exposed as US giants sue

As a US Supreme Court ruling on Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs looms, US companies are queuing to be in line for refunds should the court...

monday 5

The Sydney Morning Herald

Stephen Bartholomeusz

‘May the force be with you’: A relentless night in a Ukrainian bomb shelter

‘May the force be with you’: A relentless night in a Ukrainian bomb shelter

Lviv, Ukraine: The air raid alarm goes off when I am sitting at my desk. First, my mobile phone starts talking to me in an American accent to tell...

monday 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

David Crowe

From Tim Tam to Four’N Twenty: Aussie icons enjoy government sweeteners

From Tim Tam to Four’N Twenty: Aussie icons enjoy government sweeteners

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the federal government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund? For most, it’s...

monday 3

The Sydney Morning Herald

Elizabeth Knight

This week was supposed to be a triumph for Wells. Instead, it is a trial

This week was supposed to be a triumph for Wells. Instead, it is a trial

While the polls are still terrible for the Coalition, the developing furore over Sport and Communications Minister Anika Wells’ use of expenses is...

monday 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

James Massola

Archer copped a brutal Ashes ‘champing’. It was sledging in the right spirit

Archer copped a brutal Ashes ‘champing’. It was sledging in the right spirit

In just about every field of life, when you hear the word “champion” delivered with a certain tone, you know you’re in for a good time. Then you...

monday 2

The Sydney Morning Herald

Emma Kemp