Albanese basks in Modi limelight. And, his weird podcast interview

This week, we’re talking about a visit from Narendra Modi to Australia and why Anthony Albanese wants to bask in the Indian prime minister’s limelight, despite questions around Modi’s human rights record. And in an environment where One Nation and the Coalition want to go hard on migration, Albane…

‘The world has changed’: Peter Hartcher on China’s extraordinary missile test

China launched a rare ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine into the Pacific on Monday. It wasn’t just putting nearby countries, like Australia, on notice. It was making a statement that has changed the world, says international and political editor Peter Hartcher. He joins Samantha …

Trump’s red card intervention in the World Cup

Allegations of cheating and sporting corruption have followed the revelation that Donald Trump intervened in the FIFA World Cup to overturn the suspension of an American player. But the ramifications of this unprecedented event might far outlast the tournament. Today, Sydney Morning Herald deputy …

Why this bird flu is a lot more dangerous than the last one

Over the weekend, a particularly deadly strain of bird flu was confirmed in NSW for the first time. This takes the total of confirmed cases nationwide to six. Today, science reporter Angus Dalton on how much of a risk we’re dealing with.

A thousand girls, neon lights: Human toll of Thailand’s sex tourism industry

The death of 17-year-old Thai girl, Thanchanok Donhomla, has shocked Australia, and sparked fear among sex workers in Pattaya. Thanchanok's body was found in a suitcase and dumped in long grass by a railway. The man accused of murdering her is 45-year-old Australian, Simon Peter Carman. He is bein…

Labor’s tax changes hit the property market, will a Liberal ‘rebrand’ turn the party around?

The government's capital gains tax and negative gearing changes are now legislated, and this week there has been some early data on how these changes are hitting the property market. Plus, Labor's compromise on gambling advertising reforms and Angus Taylor's leadership of the Liberal Party. Senio…

Antisemitism is feeding all forms of extremism: Peter Hartcher on ASIO boss’ striking speech

In December last year, Australia was confronted with its worst-ever incident of antisemitic violence when gunmen killed 15 people on Bondi Beach at a Hanukkah gathering. That came after the firebombing of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and an arson attack on the Lewis' Continental Kitchen …

'Only a rort if you're not in on it': Inside the Big Build scandal

The Victorian government has staked its reputation, to a large extent, on an ambitious infrastructure program – termed the Big Build by state Labor, the program includes major road and rail projects totalling billions of dollars.  Victoria Police however, say there is no doubt gangland-linked corr…

Is the Karl Stefanovic saga a midlife crisis or media evolution?

Karl Stefanovic was the face of Australian morning television for 25 years. Lauded for wearing the same suit for a year to highlight sexism, laughed at for showing up drunk on air following the Logies. Now he’s agreed to part ways with Nine, the owner of our mastheads, after he featured far-right,…

In an age of information overload, this is what happens to our brains

For decades, neuroscientists have offered opposing theories for how our brains process the risks and rewards of daily life. Some thought our brains dedicate the most energy into managing everyday realities. Others have thought our brains fire up when we’re thrown something unexpected. Now we have …