Chinese Whispers. Broken promises on Port of Darwin buy-back
At the last election both sides of politics promised to return the Port of Darwin to Australian hands. FOI reveals a broken (dumb) promise will become a broken (unfulfilled) promise.…
Trump cannot bear the judgments of Pope Leo | Sidney Blumenthal
The political gap between US evangelicals and Catholics is widening. And Trump won’t tolerate authority outside his own “Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?” Henry II was reputed…
It’s no surprise Trump has met his match in Pope Leo – the US president represents the polar opposite of Christianity | Jonathan Freedland
Name the deadliest of sins – cruelty, deceit, avarice – and Trump will both exhibit them and celebrate them It’s no accident that the figure emerging as the global challenger…
‘I hope it got disinfected!’ Matthew Rhys on bravery, banter and wearing a prosthetic penis
He is one of the most chilling actors around. Yet Matthew Rhys is now playing a Basil Fawlty type in comedy horror Widow’s Bay. He talks about fluffing his James…
Behold the riches to riches tale of Lauren Sánchez – the girlboss Cinderella who bought the ball | Marina Hyde
She’s already taken Paris and Venice – now, with husband Jeff Bezos, she’s stormed New York’s Met Gala. And for a mere $75,000, you can be there with her We…
Five Great Reads: Siri Hustvedt looks into death’s abyss, Melissa Lucashenko on ‘white man’s fantasy’, and why we need the tooth fairy
Guardian Australia’s weekend wrap of essential reads from the past seven days, selected by Imogen Dewey Get this in your inbox every weekend. Sign up for Five Great Reads here…
A star reborn: ‘America’s sweetheart’ Sandra Bullock returns to the spotlight
After backing out of public sight, the versatile and enduringly bankable actor has turned up on Instagram trading quips with Nicole Kidman as hype begins for Practical Magic 2 this…
‘Look, no hands’: China chases the driverless dream at Beijing car show
As domestic sales slow, manufacturers are investing in AI and seeking growth in technology and in overseas markets At the world’s biggest car fair, which opened in Beijing on Friday,…
‘I don’t need to see you naked’: Urzila Carlson on becoming a comedy superstar and fending off horny fans
The South African-born New Zealand comedian reflects on how her traumatic childhood shaped her humour and refusing to roast her 13-year-old daughter’s friends Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email…
Fast-tracking or ploughing through? Renewable energy shaping up as defining issue for Victorian election
Most landholders in regional Victoria support renewable energy – if they get a say. But planning approvals are riding roughshod over community concerns Sign up for the Rural Network email…