July 19 – 25, 2025
News
Comment
Comment
Santilla Chingaipe
The end of seriousness
“Back in February, a meeting that resembled a Real Housewives reunion was being dissected, analysed and broadcast around the world. ‘This is going to be great television, I will say that,’ United States President Donald Trump announced to the gathered press pool at the end of the showdown. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
A middle power in the Middle Kingdom
“Anthony Albanese has returned from his week of top-level meetings and high-altitude tourism in the Middle Kingdom – the first Labor leader since Gough Whitlam to admire the Great Wall of China after sharing the love with Beijing’s No. 1, in this instance Xi Jinping.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk
For acclaimed Ukrainian–Australian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, music expresses the glory of human possibility and freedom.
Fiction
Grub
“The gastronomic temple Grub made headlines a few years back for serving Sydney’s bored pleasure-seekers a Mediterranean dreamfish that caused diners to hallucinate for several days. Since then, Grub opened bookings once a year, an event earmarked in the calendars of a thousand stressed PAs, and the prices grew if not prohibitive, then as gluttonous as the clientele. Like Grub, when Dave called triumphantly from his study that they had secured a date in the summer, Mira was hit by a maelstrom of reservations.”
Books
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Leadership
“Alan combines sharp business insights with Irish storytelling charm.”
One of three celebrity corporate speaking agents engaged by former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce spruiks their new client. While they’re exploiting the stereotype, they might as well say this is his pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
Cybercrime
“[W]e identified unauthorised access to our servers resulting in access to, and the possible exfiltration of, certain data records.”
The far-right party says it has suffered a ransomware attack. The hackers might want to offer all affected a small fee for guaranteed exfiltration.
Music
“I think we can officially say that Oasis won the battle, the war, the campaign, everything.”
The Blur frontman concedes defeat in the ’90s Britpop band wars to the recently reunited Oasis. If flogging a setlist of songs you wrote in the ’90s and becoming your own tribute band is a “success” then, sure. Meanwhile, Pulp.
Politics
“He’s a pig.”
The New South Wales housing minister responds to allegations that independent MP Mark Latham took photos of female colleagues, made misogynistic remarks and participated in a sex video in his office. We extend our apologies to the porcine community on her behalf.
Diplomacy
“The China–Australia relationship has recovered from the setback.”
The Chinese president praises Anthony Albanese during his visit in a speech confirming the strength of ties with Australia. And snap, he even uses the same term we do for Scott Morrison.
Sport
“At the end of the day, sometimes I just don’t understand the point.”
The world No. 1 men’s golfer, who has won three major titles, an Olympic gold medal and about $140 million in prize money, says he’d much rather be a great father to his 14-month-old. That’s what sleep deprivation does to you.
