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Daily crosswords
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Exclusive
Courts
Court short: New justice hub to sit empty after government cuts funding
New $272 million law courts in Melbourne’s south-west won’t open as planned after building finishes because the state budget didn’t allocate funding for staff or running costs.
Exclusive
Skills shortage
Yoga teachers make draft core skills visa list, but not tradies
Despite the nation’s housing crisis, yogis, martial artists and even dog handlers are among the occupations to have beaten construction trades to a spot on a draft priority skills list.
Thousands of people are moving here. Where’s the green space?
Apartment towers have been approved in this inner Melbourne area, but for five years the state government has sat on plans to create parkland.
Investigation
Franchising
As franchisors partied, the body representing them was on the brink of financial ruin
The organisation designed to support Australia’s franchising industry has burned through staff, cash and its reputation. There are serious questions about its future.
Landlords are on notice to improve their properties. It could mean a rise in rents
The government says most of the costs associated with the proposed rental standards will be offset by savings from more energy-efficient homes.
For ducks’ sake, state bureaucrats go on $31,000 wild goose chase
Public servants trekked to Denmark’s frigid north in search of the pink-footed goose. The birds didn’t show up.
Opinion
Life in the ’burbs
I live in Melbourne’s smallest suburb – and no one knows where it is
Even after the Brighton Empire’s annexation, my whole suburb has so far defied the worst of the growth-for-growth’s-sake mindset.
Robert James Stove
Writer
Exclusive
Parenting
How long it takes for bored kids to start entertaining themselves
There have never been more ways to keep our kids entertained, but this parenting educator says overscheduling is a problem.
Opinion
Social media
In high school, I covered my mirror with paper. Without a filter, I saw my face and cried
It’s natural for a teenager to have self-doubts and to feel peer pressure, but social media took my doubts and built them into crippling anxiety.
Lucia Frazzetto
Contributor
‘I intend to lead a political revolt’: Farage stuns with shock UK comeback
The arch-Brexiter’s decision coincided with a new opinion poll predicting a Tory wipeout, showing Labour on track for the largest election win for 100 years.
‘So proud of the man he is’: Biden issues rare statement of support for troubled son Hunter
In the ongoing saga involving the First Family, Hunter Biden stands accused of illegally owning a gun and lying about his drug use on a form he filled out to purchase it.
Opinion
Donald Trump
Trump’s martyr schtick is working, at least with my Republican siblings
Donald Trump has been playing the victim since his bombshell conviction, and if my family straw poll is indicative, it’s an effective strategy.
Maureen Dowd
New York Times columnist
Jailed gangland boss who lit fires, assaulted guards complains he can’t see sky
George Marrogi is taking legal action against the state because he can’t exercise outside or socialise while serving time.
Saving the lobster, prawn and pineapple: How shops could be forced to take cash
A group of independent MPs are moving to stop hard currency disappearing from the nation.
Property values drop for homes facing greatest risk of fire, flood
More than 32,000 Australian homes face a high risk of bushfire, while 141,000 homes are at risk of flooding. The risks will push insurance costs up and home values down.
De Minaur upsets Medvedev, matches Hewitt’s quarter-finals feat
The lion-hearted tennis star has enjoyed another seminal moment in Paris as he goes where no male Aussie player has in two decades.
One legend to another: Surprise appearance by tennis great to honour Matildas’ Lydia Williams
The Matildas defeated China 2-0 in their second friendly in Australia before the Paris Olympics. But it was all about goalkeeper Lydia Williams.
TRIAL BY WATER
Watch Farquharson’s police interview, for the first time outside of a courtroom
Following the crash that killed his three boys, this is what Robert Farquharson told police. Before this investigation, it had never been seen outside the courtrooms where he was convicted.
Video
Inside the uncomfortable investigation of a child killer
In the Robert Farquharson case there are six main strands of circumstantial evidence. I’ve investigated them all.
Victoria
Updated
Horse racing
Top executive quits AFL to take the reins at VRC with McLachlan in racing’s wings
Kylie Rogers is the second AFL executive to have departed for another major sporting organisation after missing out on the top job at league headquarters. Meanwhile, the Gillon McLachlan waiting game continues.
Joanna just wanted a simple beauty treatment. The pain was ‘hell on earth’
After being burnt on her genitals during a traumatic beauty procedure, Joanna has joined medical experts to call for tighter regulations on the laser hair-removal sector.
‘They drive up and drive away’: How a St Kilda East street has become a caravan graveyard
There were 17 caravans left in a quiet side street next to St Kilda Cemetery last week, and residents say it’s much worse than just an eyesore.
Ariane looked at her baby and saw a dragon. Now she’s helping other mums
A psychologist found her own mental health cracking after the birth of her first child. When she recovered, she set out to help other new parents.
Exclusive
Victorian budget
State Treasury quietly orders a sweeping review to gauge the value of privatising public assets
Treasury sought advice from investment banks as part of a review to see how much could be raised if public assets went private.
Politics
Exclusive
Russia-Ukraine war
‘Unwavering support’: Shorten to tell world Australia stands with Ukraine
The former Labor leader will use an appearance at a peace summit in Switzerland to warn that Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to win the war in Ukraine.
Business
Bookseller Booktopia takes desperate steps to survive
As its chief executive resigns, the online bookseller has arranged $1 million in emergency financing in an effort to stay afloat.
World
The tense romance and the stolen gun that landed Hunter Biden in court
When it emerged that Hunter Biden had fallen in love with his brother’s widow, they looked to Joe Biden to tell the children – and the world.
Opinion
The Liberal Party created the perfect female candidate in ... Josh Frydenberg?
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
He’s warned us before on the China threat. We mustn’t ignore him again
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
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Property
‘Straight out of The Castle’: Returning expat pays $2.3m to get into coveted Balwyn High School zone
A fresh coat of paint and new carpets helped attract seven parties to the 1970s home, but the location was the clincher.
The Melbourne suburbs where home owners can’t afford their mortgages
At least one in 30 households in hard-hit pockets have fallen behind on repayments, buckling under high interest rates and inflation.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Culture
Good times never seemed so good - until we started singing Sweet Caroline
Some kid named Caroline gets born in Boston, and 27 years later I can’t have a civilised half-time without being forcibly drafted into a mass singalong.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
De Minaur upsets Medvedev, matches Hewitt feat in making Roland-Garros quarter-finals
The lion-hearted tennis star has enjoyed another seminal moment in Paris as he goes where no male Australian player has in two decades.
Playing t’win: After eight years in the AFL, the McKays prepare to clash for first time
Harry and Ben McKay are identical twins, but on the football field it’s their differences that catch the eye.
One legend to another: Surprise appearance by tennis great to honour Matildas’ Lydia Williams
The Matildas defeated China 2-0 in their second friendly in Australia before the Paris Olympics. But it was all about goalkeeper Lydia Williams and a special presentation from Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Updated
Horse racing
Top executive quits AFL to take the reins at VRC with McLachlan in racing’s wings
Kylie Rogers is the second AFL executive to have departed for another major sporting organisation after missing out on the top job at league headquarters. Meanwhile, the Gillon McLachlan waiting game continues.
‘I never felt safe’: Selection fight overshadows Gregson’s remarkable switch from steeplechase to Olympic marathon
Six runners were never going to fit into the three places Australia had available for the women’s marathon in the Paris, and heartache was inevitable ... for all concerned.
‘Don’t look hard and fit’: Demons under fire, but Gawn promises response against Pies
Melbourne skipper Max Gawn has promised a response against Collingwood after his team’s “unacceptable” loss to Fremantle, while a league great has questioned the Demons’ fitness.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2024
Jamie Elliott on track to return; West Coast to challenge Reid ban; Veteran Hawk expects fellow forward to stay
A mercurial Collingwood forward is making progress from a frustrating injury; while West Coast will argue for Harley Reid’s suspension to be reduced for his “sling” tackle on St Kilda’s Darcy Wilson.
Have Your Say
Horne-Francis is emerging, but not yet ready to come to grips with Cripps
In key takeouts this week: Carlton’s big dog hands Port’s young pup a lesson, the race for this year’s Rising Star award gets blown wide open and forget the premiership for the moment; Melbourne simply need to focus on making the finals.
