Richard Cooke

An American conspiracy theory about a Satanic child sexual abuse ring has gained a foothold in Australia. Tim Stewart is one of the believers, and also a long-time friend of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“As Joe Biden prepared to take office as the 46th president of the United States, promising to ‘restore the soul of America’, his mission statement found an echo in Australia. The language was less portentous, and the crowd more mundane. But in a speech …”

It is likely a Biden presidency will change the world. The question is: will it change it quickly enough?

“I bought John Kehoe a coffee in 2016, when we were both in Washington, DC. Too late now for a refund, and there was, as far as I can remember, no hint of any latent Oedipal drive behind his small talk, nothing to indicate that on April 9 of this year, …”

New files ordered released in the Ghislaine Maxwell case reveal the depth of her involvement in child sex-trafficking offences that implicate Prince Andrew, the former leader of the US senate and others.

Having saluted the chequered flag on many occasions, Supercar driver Rick Kelly knows what it’s like to push himself – and his car – to the limit. The former King of the Mountain talks about ambition, and becoming older and wiser.

As the Victorian Court of Appeal affirms the cardinal’s guilt, he retains dogged support from many in the conservative establishment.

The latest arrest of Jeffrey Epstein on charges of sex trafficking minors has again focused world attention on the multimillionaire’s relationships with the rich and powerful.

“The Australian Federal Police raids on the offices of the ABC and the home of a News Corp journalist keep being described as ‘unprecedented’. They are certainly a degeneration, though these goonish interventions have always been there. Only their …”

When chronic fatigue threatened to stop him competing at an elite level, masters cyclist Peter Milostic turned his focus to nutrition and health, and was able to step up another gear.

As she competes in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20, Australian cricketer Sophie Molineux talks about the advantages of being a left-handed all-rounder and why she no longer bowls a wrong ’un.

How Simone Wearne followed her parents and grandparents into baseball, and became a world champion.

Golfer Su Oh on keeping her game simple and trying to find the right balance amid a crazy life on the road with the LPGA tour.

Kobie Enright on going from competitive child to champion surfer, and the creativity needed to succeed in her sport.

Brandon “Claire” Nguyen on giving up a ‘normal life’ for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play eSports full-time.

Mixed martial artist Tai Tuivasa on being a proud Indigenous Australian and the gladiatorial challenges of cage fighting.

Wallaroo Ashleigh Hewson on how rugby union burned into her soul and why she’d love to get into coaching.

Molly Taylor on the cruelties of motorsport and why rally driving never gets boring.

Joe Powell on getting the call-up for the Wallabies.

Rhiannan Iffland on the mental and physical challenges involved in plunging from a five-storey-high cliff.

A-League striker Mark Bridge on success with the Western Sydney Wanderers, lost opportunities with the Socceroos and his favourite goal.

As the Queensland Bulls vie for the Sheffield Shield, Mitchell Swepson talks about growing up watching Warnie and the finesse of leg-spin.

Champion snowboarder and Australia’s Winter Paralympics opening ceremony flagbearer Joany Badenhorst on the joys of proving her doubters wrong.

Test cricketer Rachael Haynes on the individual resilience and collaborative relationships essential to becoming a winning outfit.

Kailani Craine on her love of ice skating, making it to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and always being asked about Tonya Harding.

Aerial skier and Sochi Winter Olympics silver medallist David Morris sets his sights on PyeongChang.

The Channel Ten BBL and WBBL commentator and former Australian player on women in cricket and the IPL “circus”.

Hockeyroo turned Collingwood Football Club recruit Georgie Parker on her love of sport, trick shots and social media.

“The Laborites’ Deep Concern has been applied to every death, rape and outrage since, along with fretting entreaties that the government be more “accountable” and “transparent”. This purely rhetorical stance evaporates the moment the Greens apply …”

All-rounder Jess Jonassen on the Ashes tour, paving the way for future female cricketers and the importance of education as a fallback plan.

Tyson Pedro on how UFC fighting is a human form of chess and why his mum’s banned from watching his bouts.

How visual impairment led Tyan Taylor to become a key member of Australia’s Paralympic goalball team.

Kiana Elliott on her transformation from elite gymnast to champion weightlifter.

Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Brenden Hall on losing his leg at six, and why swimming is such an important part of his life.

“Milo’s year-ending whistlestop is called the Troll Academy Tour, and the baffled reaction of the Sunrise hosts recalled a more innocent time, when alt-right figures weren’t the warm-up act for the Cash Cow. You can chart the change …”

Melbourne’s Tenille Dashwood on being drawn in by wrestling’s theatrics and big characters, and turning herself into the WWE Superstar Emma.

“Now the once-mighty bald eagle of American power is barely hanging onto its perch. You might think this de-soaring would provoke some quietude, or at least acknowledgement that building schools in Kabul instead of Kansas hasn’t turned out very well. …”

“Fired, ousted, ineligible or disgraced, our politicians keep showing up to work anyway, George Costanza-style, barrowing doomed legislation and talking points that expired a decade ago. The Turnbull government has failed. If recent history is a guide, …”

Australian Diamonds and NSW Swifts centre courter Paige Hadley on the roller-coaster ride of injuries and World Cup wins.

Rio 2016 Paralympic gold medallist Jayden Warn on the sporting passion that grew out of adversity.

Fresh from standing down as Wallabies captain, Stephen Moore talks about the importance of experience and a balanced life off the rugby field.

“You can advocate letting obese diabetics die from their disease, or float the end of universal suffrage, or write about Africans being cannibals who don’t understand cities – if you’re Elizabeth Farrelly, you can do all three – but so long as …”

2017 Oceania snooker champion and two-times runner-up world champion Matthew Bolton on chasing the Australian billiards record.

Australian Jillaroo and NRL All Star Maddie Studdon on training and playing between shifts as a stevedore.

Mixed martial artist Robert Whittaker on why working out how to beat an opponent is a thrilling adrenalin rush.

For Rio Olympic silver medallist Lisa Darmanin ‘it’s all eyes on Tokyo’, in a bid to go one better and bring home sailing gold.

Olympic kayaker Jo Brigden-Jones on how pressure – in sporting events and in her work as a paramedic – brings out the best in her.

Karting champion Rianna O’Meara-Hunt on being too young for a driver’s licence but travelling at speeds of up to 120km/h on the racetrack.

Newly crowned world champion cyclist Sam Welsford on winning team pursuit silver in Rio, funky tan lines and his relationship with Lycra.

Surfer Cooper Chapman on the power and unpredictability of the sea.

Jason Belmonte on the trials, tribulations and triumphs of the international tenpin bowling tour.

Cricketer Grace Harris on smashing boundaries and her love of ice-cream.

Fast bowler Liam Hatcher on being able to take as good as you give.

The Sydney Kings’ Jeromie Hill on the strength of our National Basketball League.

Lauren Jackson on the intensity of being one of the world’s best basketballers, and the heartache of retiring.

World champion rower Gearoid Towey on the challenges facing elite athletes when they retire.

Paralympian Amanda Reid on loving the thrill and speed of track cycling.

All-rounder Hilton Cartwright on choosing between batting and bowling, and playing for Zimbabwe, England or Australia.

Winter Olympian Matt Graham on the inspiration to be drawn from watching his Summer Games compatriots.

Meet Rio Olympian Cedric Dubler, a man of many sporting talents.

Melbourne Demons midfielder Aaron Vandenberg on the benefits of his late start in the big league.

Open-water swimmer Jarrod Poort’s plan to make waves in Rio.

Alex Hartmann on the little one percenters and that “magical” sub-10-second 100 metres.

Photographer Roger Ballen’s darkly theatrical depictions of Johannesburg’s marginalised white poor reflect a universal helplessness.

Why Shelley Chaplin won’t let her disability stop her doing anything.

Ruan Sims on the similarities between football and fighting fires.

Western Sydney Wanderers marquee player Dario Vidošić on the privileges of playing all over the world.

Gretel Tippett on her switch to netball and her famous sporting brothers.

Quiksilver Pro winner Matt Wilkinson.

NRL star Michael Ennis on rebuilding confidence and making a difference in the community.

Hamish Mackenzie on the rattle and hum of blind cricket.

Dakar Rally winner Toby Price on the thrill of racing and the pain of broken bones.

Soccer player Ali Abbas on putting religion aside and playing to make people happier.

Danny Green on what boxing has taught him about human nature, and the Mundine rivalry.

Late-bloomer Sam Groth on his best year in tennis yet.

Matildas player Sam Kerr on the game she loves and the battle for fair pay.

The Lismore lad who’s been Association Croquet world champion since August 2013.

Is Minjee Lee set to become Australia’s next golfing sensation?

Champion jockey Glen Boss on the mighty mare Makybe Diva and their three Melbourne Cups.

Melbourne Half Marathon winner Lisa Weightman on her campaign for Rio.

As head coach of AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers, Tony Popovic knows what it’s like to taste success.

Champion wheelchair athlete Kurt Fearnley on turning a disability into a strength.

Late-bloomer Lee Spurr on hitting his straps with the Fremantle Dockers.

Michelle Payne on the hectic, focused life of a champion jockey.

The three-time Nutri-Grain IronWoman champion talks about life on – and under – the waves.

The 2015 NBA Champion on the physicality of the Australian game.

Goal attack Erin Bell prepares to put her body on the line for netball’s World Cup.

Ahead of the Bledisloe Cup, Wallaby Bernard Foley talks about the challenge of facing the mighty All Blacks.

Leanne Tander talks about the rise of women of motor sport.

Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan on the craziness of Dutch and Argentine hockey fans.

Dual international Ellyse Perry on the power of sport to bring the world together.

Waratahs and Wallabies prop Benn Robinson on maintaining the passion.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Mack Horton on the Australian swim team’s cultural turnaround.

Ahead of State of Origin II, the Maroons’ Corey Parker talks longevity, discipline and dedication.

Ahead of this weekend’s exhibition match at the MCG, Demons captain Daisy Pearce talks about the growing appeal of women’s Aussie Rules.

Commonwealth Games 200-metres breaststroke gold medallist Taylor McKeown reveals her animal instincts.

Meet the astrophysicist who packs one heck of a punch.

Her dad thought girls don’t play cricket, but Holly Ferling, rising star of the sport, proved him very wrong.

Jessica Fox, C-1 and K-1 world champion and 2012 Olympic silver medallist, talks about taking on the rapids.

Rascally Bob Murphy on finding inspiration for his writing and loving the Bulldogs.

Is this Australia's brainiest sportsman?

Cricket allrounder James Faulkner on closing out the big games.

A love of the ocean led Felicity Palmateer to both surfing and creating art.

Champion cyclist Kimberley Wells on practising medicine, beating pneumonia and Lance Armstrong's fall from grace.

Four-time London Paralympics gold medallist Ellie Cole on the shock of being a champion.

Australian Diamonds netballer Madi Robinson on the perfect game.

Brumbies season-opener captain David Pocock talks rugby, protest and privilege.

Life with cerebral palsy hasn't stopped this 15-year-old snowboarder from taking on the world.

Melbourne United and Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Jordan McRae on college basketball, prayers and doing it for his kids.

Socceroos and Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak on playing for his country and tackling the EPL.

Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards on why he loves wild oceans but dreams of perfect race conditions.

Last year marked an amazing turnaround in the fortunes of tennis journeyman Casey Dellacqua. Can she play even better in 2015?

Rachel Jarry plays for one of Australia's most successful sporting teams. So where's the recognition?

Nick O'Hern is a picture of calm as he considers stepping back from the greens.

Surfer Laura Enever tells how she won her battle with anxiety and learned to love her sport again.

Still in her early 20s, Meg Lanning is breaking cricket records around the world.

Nathan Coe on pro soccer in Australia and keeping against the world's best strikers.

Gai Waterhouse is no stranger to controversy. She's also no stranger to winning.

Is this man the world's best sailor? Many think so.

Former Bra Boy Richie Vaculik has swapped chasing big waves for the Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon.

At times, roller derby can be contact sport with dress-ups, but you won't get ShortStop in a tutu.

A terrier on the netball court, Kimberlee Green will this month be nipping at the heels of the Silver Ferns and England.

From BMX bandit to dual world champion… Caroline Buchanan loves life on two wheels.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey talks team culture and tactics ahead of his club's do-or-die NRL semi-final clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Veteran driver Chris Atkinson is set to send the Coffs Coast gravel flying this weekend at Rally Australia.

Dual premiership player Shaun Burgoyne once again sets his sights on September glory.

All the world's a stage for Wallabies scrum anchor Ben Alexander.

Australian Opals star Liz Cambage on social media, homesickness and the pressure of expectation.

Olympic silver medallist Kate Hornsey on the psychology of rowing.

Rebecca Clough is a key player in the Wallaroos' bid to lift the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup.

He's a rising star of the AFL, but Jeremy Cameron's 2014 season has been cruelly cut short by injury.

Pro skateboarder and TV presenter Corbin Harris on cultivating his dream career.

Commonwealth Games debutant Matthew Flapper on the mind games of lawn bowls.

Her best friends were always the nerds and never the jocks, but then Cate Campbell fell in love with winning.

In the run-up to the British Grand Prix, Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo shares his thoughts on high-speed rivalries and staying humble.

Chelsea Roffey became the second woman to umpire in the AFL. This year she celebrates 10 years as a first grade goal umpire.

He shoots; he scores… How star Aussie export Patty Mills set the NBA alight.

Each time jockey Tommy Berry climbs aboard his mount, he's hoping to make his late identical twin brother proud.

Only three Australians have taken home five medals from a single Olympic Games. We meet one of them.

As the Australian women's soccer team gets set to face Japan in the 2014 Asian Cup decider, we talk to Matildas midfielder Tameka Butt.

Australian motorsport great Jamie Whincup on how much he hates to lose.

Australia’s most successful table tennis player, Miao Miao compares table tennis in China and Australia.

How our top snooker player's career came together right on cue.

The first Australian boxer to challenge for the unified heavyweight title since 1908.

World champion woodchopper Brad De Losa talks about landing those heavy blows.

Describing herself as an "inflictor of ridiculously stylish violence", Bec Rawlings is the first Australian female fighter to sign with the Invicta Fighting Championships.

After a difficult year, rugby league player Ben Te'o is being tipped as a possible future Rabbitohs captain.

Brad Hodge discusses representing Australia again in the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh.

The Australian Diamonds captain on why she nearly quit netball.

Paralympic bronze medallist Jessica Gallagher knows how to master her fears and the importance of trust.

Adam Goodes, Australian of the Year and two-time Brownlow Medallist, talks about injury, education and family.