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Michael Ruffles

Michael Ruffles

Michael Ruffles is the deputy state topic editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.

Thai King Vajiralongkorn with Princess Bajrakitiyabha in Bangkok in 2020.

The secret dinner and a glimpse at the childhood of a tragic princess

A cable stamped “secret” and for Australian eyes only shows the future king of Thailand in an unguarded moment in 1984, opening up about his family.

  • Michael Ruffles

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Princess Bajrakitiyabha greets supporters outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Thai princess dies, plunging kingdom into mourning and sparking succession drama

Princess Bajrakitiyabha, the eldest child of Thailand’s controversial king, had been on life support since collapsing in December 2022.

  • Michael Ruffles
Kim Aris, younger son of Aung San Suu Kyi, poses for a portrait in Stanhope Gardens, Sydney, Tuesday, 9 June 2026. Aris, who is visiting Australia as part of a global campaign called Proof of Life, wants the Myanmar junta release his mother, but the campaign is calling for them to prove the Nobel Peace Prize winner is alive after more than five years in jail since the coup. Photo: Sam Mooy / The Sydney Morning Herald

Kim wants to know if his mum is alive. It’s not easy for the son of Suu Kyi

The pro-democracy icon has been detained by a secretive, brutal junta that has waged war against its own citizens since February 2021. Her younger son is demanding answers.

  • Michael Ruffles
Michael Still has stood aside.

University chancellor stands aside as ICAC inquiry looms

The watchdog is investigating whether Michael Still and others from the University of Wollongong improperly or dishonestly exercised official functions.

  • Michael Ruffles and Sally Rawsthorne
Gail Connolly arrives at the ICAC on Thursday.

The quick and quiet cracks as Connolly takes the stand at ICAC

Before her tears, the former Parramatta Council boss appeared steely rather than brittle. She arrived flanked by a legal team conspicuous for their flashes of pink.

  • Michael Ruffles
Gail Connolly arrives at ICAC on Thursday.

ICAC Operation Navarra as it happened: Ousted Parramatta Council CEO Gail Connolly gives evidence, breaks down

The ICAC is investigating whether Connolly subverted recruitment processes to benefit her friends and whether she spied on staff and a councillor.

  • Anthony Segaert, Ellie Busby and Michael Ruffles
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Trofie al pesto, a twisted pasta from the Liguria region.

The secret to making the world’s best pesto? Do it in the place it was born

Basil. Garlic. Parmesan. Pecorino. Pine nuts. Salt. Olive oil. Pesto doesn’t seem like it should be hard, but it’s more complicated than you think.

  • Michael Ruffles
A glittering tower proposed for the site of the birthplace of AC/DC in Burwood.

‘Should have been a public square’: The 39-storey tower about to rock this Sydney suburb

A glossy bronze tower to replace the birthplace of AC/DC has been approved as Burwood faces significant change.

  • Michael Ruffles

Shelve that cynicism: Sincerity is making a comeback

A review of Mumford & Sons leads this round-up of the latest shows around town.

  • John Shand, Michael Ruffles, Peter McCallum, Cassie Tongue, Kate Prendergast and Millie Muroi
Iolanthe and Janet Anderson in Sistren.

This is fierce, fresh and unmissable theatre

A five-star tour de force at Belvoir tops this round-up of current Sydney productions.

  • Harriet Cunningham, Peter McCallum, Michael Ruffles, John Shand and Kate Prendergast