February
Buffett to increase his bet on Japan’s trading houses
The billionaire will be allowed to increase his stake in the trading houses above 10 per cent; Elon Musk threatens all federal workers with the sack; Jim Chalmers flies to Washington. See how the day unfolded here.
January
Pope’s new memoir unlikely to quell Catholic dissent
In his new autobiography, Pope Francis outlines a recipe for “infinite possibilities” that will please neither conservatives nor radicals.
December 2024
Churches sowed the seeds of antisemitism but have lost control of field in post-Christian age
The shift in Christian teaching can have a limited effect when the worst prejudices come from the radical, secular left.
Australian-based bishop among Pope’s new cardinal picks
At 44 years of age, Mykola Bychokthe, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Melbourne, is also the youngest cardinal.
October 2024
Trump’s team backpedals after racist rally remarks
His campaign issued a rare statement distancing itself from a comedian’s offensive joke about Puerto Rico.
This Nike-wearing millennial saint is shaking up Catholicism
Nobody doubts the short life of Carlos Acutis was one of piety and kindness – but is the teen’s rapid rise to sainthood simply a marketing ploy by the Vatican?
July 2024
Labor’s pledge is a bulwark against identity politics
Some say Labor’s caucus discipline is outdated in modern, multicultural Australia. In reality, it is more vital when individualism has infected the party of late.
June 2024
France’s far-right ‘dream ticket’ chases election victory
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen anointed her youthful protege as prime minister in waiting, but the office may come sooner than either expected as France votes.
Rich Lister buys Manly’s most expensive home
Maas Group’s Wes Maas and his wife Emma have emerged as the buyers of Manly’s most expensive home for around $35 million.
April 2024
Lift the minimum wage and help to close the poverty gap
Almost 5 million Australians live at or below the poverty line. Even a 4.9 per cent rise would go some way to help those in insecure work.
March 2024
Allan Myers quits Melbourne Club over racism claim
Despite so much in common, Allan Myers and the Melbourne Club have parted ways. And not amicably.
January 2024
Why high-fee private schools took the biggest price hit in 2024
School fees are rising faster than inflation, and the most expensive schools are charging the biggest increases.
December 2023
Cardinal guilty of mass fraud in Vatican ‘trial of the century’
The former papal confidant, who oversaw the management of Holy See funds, faces jail time after the verdict in the landmark court case.
Too many Australian students still failing
Only just over half of the country’s 15-year-olds can demonstrate more than elementary skills expected at their year level.
October 2023
ASIO on high alert as Middle East explodes
ASIO boss Mike Burgess says the agency has increased its vigilance since the Hamas attacks on Israel.
Francis the feminist pope puts women centre stage
The church’s three-week long synod will consider whether women should be ordained and be given roles of authority.
August 2023
Why you’re probably fascinated by women who kill
Reports of domestic murder underscore fears about society’s most fundamental institutions: home, family and community.
July 2023
Time that teachers were taught properly too
For two generations, Australian teachers have been sent into classrooms without the knowledge on how humans learn, how to run their classrooms or how to lead learning.
February 2023
Dozens dead after migrant boat breaks apart near Italian coast
The incident reopened a debate on migration in Europe and Italy, where the right-wing government’s tough new laws for migrant rescue charities have drawn criticism from the United Nations and others.
Pell endured ‘modern-day crucifixion’, Abbott tells funeral
The former PM used his eulogy to rail against George Pell’s since-overturned conviction as John Howard, Peter Dutton, Alan Jones gathered for the Sydney service.