Puzzled with David Astle newsletter
For subscribers: Tips and tricks from our puzzles guru, plus try our quizzes, crosswords and puzzles.
The Morning Edition podcast
Get behind the headlines of the most important stories, with Peter Hartcher every Thursday.
Considering post-grad study?
Find the right course to advance your career with Campus, your essential higher education guide
Charlise’s alleged killer pretended to investigate while her body was in his ute, jury told
Justin Stein said he would “get to the bottom” of his partner’s missing daughter while he was at a boat ramp with the girl’s body in a barrel, a court has heard.
Chemists to lose dollar-discount option as government bows to Pharmacy Guild pressure
Chemist Warehouse will be stripped of its ability to give its customers $1 off their medicines under a change the Pharmacy Guild has been pushing for years.
Updated
Cybersecurity
Large-scale ransomware data breach hits provider
Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator says federal police and government agencies are investigating the hack.
‘Fair-dinkum balls-up’: Big stink over town’s giant fish ends in repaint job
It was 10 days before Christmas. The tiny town of Adaminaby had gathered to celebrate the 50th birthday of a giant fibreglass trout. But what they saw that day left them horrified.
Cheap drinks, free food: 12 of Sydney’s best happy hour specials (with snacks)
From cocktails and hot dogs, to roast beef chip butties, here are 12 hunger-busting happy hours to try, right now.
‘For all the other non-grandparents out there: you are not alone’
The pain of childlessness is well documented. But it can hit all over again when friends gush about their grandchildren.
Exclusive
NRL 2024
Latrell Mitchell confronts Braith Anasta over Fox Sports’ ‘personal attacks’
The pair were seen engaging in a conversation inside a Surry Hills restaurant before Mitchell asked Anasta to join him outside to continue their words.
Opinion
Broadcast rights
Sport off free TV? Tell ’em they’re streaming
The free-to-air TV broadcast stations are in a battle with pay television companies for sporting rights.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Updated
NRL off-field behaviour
Police swoop ahead of training at Eagles’ home, player charged with drug supply
Former Canterbury and Wests Tigers playmaker Brandon Wakeham has been charged after he was arrested at Brookvale Oval on Wednesday.
Two of Us
Good Weekend
For decades, Vince remembered what one teacher had told him. Then they met again
Butcher and philanthropist Vince Garreffa has never forgotten what his former teacher, Irene Froyland, said to him when he told her he was leaving school.
Opinion
Private schools
Our friends are shocked we don’t send our son to a private school. Here’s why
As an outsider, I see Australia’s selective and private schools mainly as a mechanism that perpetuates social inequality.
Theun Pieter van Tienoven
Sociologist
China’s plan to buy millions of empty homes as it grapples with property crisis
China is considering a radical plan to tackle its ongoing property meltdown which has caused widespread damage to its economy.
Senate passes motion condemning ‘from the river to the sea’ chant
The motion came in response to comments the previous day by Labor Senator Fatima Payman.
Opinion
Inflation
Wall Street just got very excited about this data. But there’s a but
At last there’s some good news on US inflation that raises hopes of interest rate cuts. But the excitement might be premature.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Opinion
Bali
You’ll need a holiday after tackling Bali’s nightmare airport queues
Planeloads of people all ahead of you in lines, wandering bewildered or hopping from queue to shuffling queue, questioning “Am I in the right line?” Who knows?
John Borthwick
Travel writer
George Miller’s latest Mad Max instalment sends crowds wild at Cannes
During the six-minute standing ovation, star Anya Taylor-Joy directed cameras to Miller, standing next to her. Chris Hemsworth slapped his shoulder. All three were wreathed in relieved smiles.
Opinion
Financial literacy
Manifestation: Can you think your way to untold riches?
Is manifestation the hidden secret to the life you truly desire? Probably not, but some aspects can help how we think about money.
Paridhi Jain
Money contributor
Federal Budget 2024
Growing numbers of students with disability to cost $1.1b more in funding
As more students need help, budget figures raise the stakes in tense government negotiations over spending on schools and the NDIS.
Opinion
This budget will make us better off now, worse off later
It seems the top priority of Anthony Albanese’s government is not to have any priorities.
Ross Gittins
Economics Editor
Sydney
Western Sydney council reverses controversial library same-sex book ban
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Merrylands council chambers on Wednesday night, along with dozens of police officers and council security, as councillors gathered to debate a motion to reverse the ban.
Rail line’s 12-month closure raises fears of ‘traffic tsunami’
A large Sydney council warns the shutdown will disrupt more than just the thousands of daily commuters.
Updated
Courts
‘I’ve got my guns, I’m going to kill you’: Justin Stein’s alleged threat to Charlise’s mother
A jury has heard voicemail messages left by the accused killer to his fiancee, Kallista Mutten, after he allegedly murdered her nine-year-old daughter.
Chris Dawson’s alleged ‘odd behaviour’ over children’s portraits
A top prosecutor has told Chris Dawson’s murder appeal the convicted wife killer appeared to show a “complete lack of sentiment towards his own children”.
Updated
Domestic violence
NSW Coalition tries to push through DV bail laws without reading them
The shadow attorney-general wanted to suspend standing orders to allow new domestic violence laws to pass without consultation.
NRL 2024
Opinion
300,000 kicks over 12 years: Cleary’s will to win is breaking his body
His greatest asset is now turning into one of his biggest weaknesses. Rugby league’s No.1 star should consider changing the way he trains.
Andrew Johns
League columnist
Opinion
The NSW women’s Origin team wants to travel down Caxton Street – and get pelted with XXXX
The women’s Origin series starts a new chapter on Thursday night with three matches being contested for the first time.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Politics
Tax credit clash over ‘handout for billionaires’
Labor will be forced into talks with the Greens over new curbs on coal and gas in a bid to salvage the $13.7 billion tax credits plan.
Business
Budget’s $22b boost puts Australia ‘back in race’ for green energy spending
The CEOs of Australia’s largest critical minerals companies have backed a $22 billion budget boost, in support that fuels a clash with the Coalition.
World
Slovak PM shot in assassination attempt has controversial past
A populist who has courted both sides of politics, he has been compared to Donald Trump and staged a shock political comeback after stepping down in 2018.
Opinion
NSW has been dudded, even more so than we originally thought
Alexandra Smith
State Political Editor
I’ve seen what a Facebook news ban looks like – more Palmer and Credlin
Elise Thomas
Disinformation and conspiracy analyst
If the US election were held today, Trump would win
Bruce Wolpe
Senior fellow at the US Studies Centre and former political staffer
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property
Photos reveal the reality of the housing crisis
Rents have skyrocketed, and rent assistance is set to go up in response. Even so, it’s slim pickings.
Six of our favourite luxury homes for sale right now
From an idyllic rural retreat to a modern home with in-ground trampoline, we’ve rounded up our pick of the bunch.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Opinion
Sunday Life
I gave an Airbnb home just four stars. Apparently that’s a fail
It’s bad enough that every app, restaurant, plumber or grocer demands praise like a toddler, but it has to be five stars or death.
Jo Stanley
Columnist
Culture
Gina Rinehart’s battle over a portrait she doesn’t want anyone to see
Australia’s richest person wants the gallery to remove a portrait of her from an exhibition by Archibald Prize-winning Indigenous artist Vincent Namatjira.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Exclusive
NRL 2024
Mitchell confronts Anasta over Fox Sports’ ‘personal attacks’
The pair were seen engaging in a conversation inside a Surry Hills restaurant before Mitchell asked Anasta to join him outside to continue their words.
Finals swansong? Rebels could make history in last home game
Uncertain whether they will exist in 2025, the Melbourne Rebels may be running out at AAMI Park for the last time on Friday. But they have much to play for.
Breaking
Around the clubs
Dragons offer Sloan $1 million extension, Walsh out of Magic Round
Knowing they will part company with Zac Lomax at the end of the season, the Dragons have moved to secure the future of one of their other attacking weapons.
Opinion
State of Origin
The NSW women’s Origin team wants to travel down Caxton Street – and get pelted with XXXX
The women’s Origin series starts a new chapter on Thursday night with three matches being contested for the first time.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Analysis
Women’s Asian Cup
Matildas’ encore on home soil cause for excitement for fans and FA alike
The buzz of the Women’s World Cup has been and gone, but another dose is coming, with official confirmation that the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup will be played in Australia.
Opinion
NRL 2024
300,000 kicks over 12 years: Cleary’s will to win is breaking his body
His greatest asset is now turning into one of his biggest weaknesses. Rugby league’s No.1 star should consider changing the way he trains.
Andrew Johns
League columnist
NRL admits Harry Grant sin-bin ‘may be considered harsh’
Graham Annesley has urged his match officials to use discretion when making contentious calls after finally giving his verdict on the most scrutinised refereeing decision of the year.
Have Your Say
Sport off free TV? Tell ’em they’re streaming
The free-to-air TV broadcast stations are in a battle with pay television companies for sporting rights.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
