It’s our national addiction! Aussies cannot get enough home hardware

While other stores crumble, new data shows customers are flooding to Bunnings, Mitre 10 and more. Here’s why we love them so much. Read more.

Don’t be fooled by Waleed Aly’s flowery words about Islamic State

ANALYSIS: The TV personality would have us believe ISIL is puny, a nuisance, little more than a scam. He got it very wrong. Read more.

How naked can we get? Celebrities vie to be the barest of them all

The style world is about three pieces of fabric away from becoming a nudist colony, with no sign of covering up any time soon. Read more.

Labor’s big new tax on smoking could be another Rudd-style alcopop flop

ANALYSIS: Outrage is a poor basis for lawmaking. There is a risk the ALP’s tobacco hike will backfire, despite good intentions. Read more.

Tensions escalate as Russian jet shot down near Syria border

Russian jet warned of an airspace violation 10 times in five minutes before being fired on – Kremlin labels it a ‘very serious incident’. Read more.

NZ complains there’s no fair go for Kiwi expats. They may be right

New Zealand is upset with Australia about how its citizens are being treated by the govt. We looked into it. There’s good and bad news. Read more.

Don’t throw away the bathroom scales. They are a weight loss weapon

Weighing yourself is usually an exercise in shame and guilt. But it doesn’t have to be. There’s a way to make the scales work for you. Read more.

Find out how your club fared in the 2015 AFL draft

It was billed as a shallow pool, but there’s still a chance of picking up a rising star. A pimply teen could be your team’s future. Read more.

Car of the week: Suzuki’s Vitara is a pleasant, if expensive, surprise

The Vitara offers impressive handling and comfort, but you will have to shell out above the base model for the full effect. Read more.