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Daily crosswords
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Private health insurance premiums in for biggest jump in years
Health Minister Mark Butler has emphasised the annual increase – which comes into effect on April 1 – is lower than the annual rise in wages. Check our chart to see how much your cover will increase.
Matildas coach ‘surprised’ by news of Sam Kerr’s UK criminal trial
Matildas Coach Tony Gustavsson has confirmed that, like Football Australia, he first learned of Sam Kerr’s UK criminal trial in the news this morning.
Updated
NBN
NBN set to become five times faster ‘at no extra cost’
Broadband speeds are set to skyrocket for some 9 million Australians with NBN Co launching a proposal to turbocharge speeds at no extra cost.
Three charged over hours-long protest on West Gate Bridge
A serial activist who was previously jailed for her role in a Sydney protest is among three demonstrators who held up traffic on Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge.
Dunkley’s beaten Liberal Conroy to return to council night-mayor
The byelection didn’t go the Frankston mayor’s way, and things are looking awkward for him now at the council.
Breaking
Defamation
‘It’s a difficult place to come back to’: Brittany Higgins back in Australia for mediation
Brittany Higgins has laid bare her mixed feelings about returning to Perth for the first time since her brief stint working in the home state of her former boss Linda Reynolds, as the pair now attempt to resolve their defamation row behind closed doors.
Sam Kerr scored an FA Cup hat-trick – then allegedly harassed a police officer
The day before the Matildas skipper was involved in an alleged argument over a taxi fare, which escalated to the point police were required, she scored three goals against Liverpool.
Breaking
AFL 2024
Dusty, Nankervis in doubt for Tigers’ first game, but Lynch firms for Blues clash
A trio of big-name Tigers are in doubt for Saturday’s opening round match against Damien Hardwick’s Suns as the club keeps one eye on an MCG blockbuster against Carlton five days later.
Elon Musk loses world’s richest person title
For the first time in more than nine months, Elon Musk is no longer the world’s richest person. A familiar face now sits atop the list.
Exclusive
Education
This vice chancellor’s ‘very lavish’ farewell party cost $127,000. Staff who weren’t invited want answers
The black-tie event at the NGV, featuring a performance by Kate Ceberano, raised questions from staff, many of whom had wages stolen.
Not easy being green: Another sustainable Australian label says goodbye
Sustainable fashion label Arnsforf’s minimalist designs were featured in promotional images for this year’s Melbourne Fashion Festival, but the clothes won’t make it onto the runway.
Underrated America: 25 restaurants that prove the US is a foodies’ paradise
The US food story is often overshadowed by its reputation for big portions, obesity, greasy burgers, tipping conundrums and sugar-filled staples, yet it’s home to some of the best food on the planet.
Opinion
Regulation
Apple’s $3 billion fine is a chilling warning
Apple’s fine contained a warning that will send a chill down the spines of its rivals.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel is paying a terrible price for a war it didn’t start
The Jewish community feels deep despair at the terrible loss of life in Gaza. Yet we also recognise that when faced with a diabolical enemy seeking to destroy you, you’re in an impossible situation.
Ralph Genende
Rabbi
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
This is the new ‘Toorak tractor’. But the wealthy don’t use it as a work car
If you can get past the assumptions people make when you say you live here, this really is a wonderful place to be … when you’re not at your beach house.
Henry Kalus
Lawyer and writer
Pressure mounts on Facebook to be part of solution to ‘problem they’ve caused’
Former competition regulator Allan Fels says the federal government should use tax law and content rules to maximise pressure on the social media giant to pay for Australian news content.
This artist kisses the walls during her performance. Her work is making history
Maria Madeira’s inclusion at the world’s oldest art biennale represents a big step for a tiny nation.
Victoria
More people are in the CBD at night but many shops are closed
Research shows there are regularly more people in the CBD between 5pm and 7pm than there are early in the morning.
Ascent worth it despite jail, Melbourne CBD high-rise free climber says
The Frenchman jailed for scaling a high-rise tower said he didn’t do it for fame and didn’t think he’d be imprisoned over the incident.
‘I’m a fighter’: Liberal team united ahead of court case, Pesutto says
The Opposition Leader said he had a Liberal party room united behind him, even as one third of his MPs were expected to be called to give evidence in a defamation trial.
Residents were promised a park. They’re now getting a busy rubbish tip instead
A community in Melbourne’s south-east that was told for years that the smelly landfill site near their homes would be turned into parkland once it closed is fighting plans for a waste station.
Exclusive
Political leadership
‘Jacinta doesn’t have the same power as Daniel’: Allan faces backlash over controversial policy move
The premier faces a caucus revolt over proposed changes to Victoria’s workers’ compensation scheme, with unions branding draft legislation offensive and pressuring MPs to ditch it.
Politics
Rates, inflation and tax combination hitting economy hard
The Australian economy may have contracted through the final three months of last year as taxes, interest rates and inflation flattened consumers.
Business
High-end collectors tighten their belts as rising cost of living bites
Cost-of-living pressures show no favours, with the ultra-rich tightening their belts as demand slumps for high-end art, upmarket jewellery and handbags, and collectable cars.
World
Super Tuesday: Five things you need to know
The day marks the biggest single haul of delegates needed by Donald Trump and Joe Biden for their parties’ nominations.
Opinion
I wasn’t going to raise my voice again, but Israel has given me no choice
David Leser
Senior freelance writer
Russia’s economy faces death by a thousand cuts
Roger Bootle
We always knew Jesse Baird would be famous, just not like this
Hugh Riminton
Journalist and author
Morrison might not have held a hose, but Dutton doesn’t hold a policy
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
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Property
Our 12 favourite homes for sale in Victoria right now
From a rooftop terrace with bay views to a series of pavilions and a parkside family home, we’ve got you covered.
Young family spends $7.5m on century-old Canterbury home in hot auction
Six parties competed for the keys to the six-bedroom home with a swimming pool, attracted by the lack of a heritage overlay and wide frontage.
Good Food
Lifestyle
‘I didn’t wait for this moment’: Elle Macpherson’s runway return
After more than a decade off the runway, the iconic Australian supermodel will be walking for the Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Culture
Expect hissing: this play will animate an audience
As the manipulative husband and his fragile victim, Toby Schmitz and Geraldine Hakewill provoke strong responses.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Breaking
AFL 2024
Dusty, Nankervis in doubt for Tigers’ first game, but Lynch firms for Blues clash
A trio of big-name Tigers are in doubt for Saturday’s opening round match against Damien Hardwick’s Suns as the club keeps one eye on an MCG blockbuster against Carlton five days later.
Opinion
AFL 2024
Why I’ve got Carlton finishing just ahead of Collingwood this season
Trying to select the premiership team before the first ball of the season is bounced is a difficult task. But the Lions have done their apprenticeship, have the right profile and are a safe bet at home.
Jake Niall
Chief football writer, The Age
The champion, the standout or the contested beast? We tip the best player of 2024
Who will win the Brownlow this year? Our experts have taken a look into the crystal ball and come up with two standout selections. But a youngster has caught the eye as well as one expert picking a surprising smoky.
Sam Kerr scored an FA Cup hat-trick – then allegedly harassed a police officer
The day before the Matildas skipper was involved in an alleged argument over a taxi fare, which escalated to the point police were required, she scored three goals against Liverpool.
Opinion
Concussion crisis
Sport authorities must ban the victims and the perpetrators of concussion
Will Pucovski must be saved from himself. And St Kilda must stand down Jimmy Webster regardless of the tribunal’s verdict.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
‘They’re going to be sending you a bill’: Perry makes a smash at India’s WPL
The Australian all-rounder was in a belligerent mood playing against her friend Alyssa Healy in India’s WPL, and not even the sponsor’s products were safe.
‘The hardest time of my life’: How grief and loss changed Pat Cummins
The Australian cricket captain has spoken frankly about the loss of his mother last year, and how the experience has shaped the way he leads the national team and raises his own family.
Have Your Say
Sport authorities must ban the victims and the perpetrators of concussion
Will Pucovski must be saved from himself. And St Kilda must stand down Jimmy Webster regardless of the tribunal’s verdict.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
