Puzzled with David Astle newsletter
For subscribers: Tips and tricks from our puzzles guru, plus try our quizzes, crosswords and puzzles.
Daily Sudoku
Challenge yourself with today’s four difficulty levels.
Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
P-turns were meant to revolutionise Hoddle Street traffic – but didn’t
A multimillion-dollar overhaul of some of Melbourne’s busiest intersections failed to improve traffic flow anywhere near what was expected.
Analysis
China relations
How hawkish Dutton is becoming a China dove
The big story of the Chinese premier’s visit was one that few have remarked upon: the opposition leader’s strikingly softer rhetoric on China.
Dutton goes off script, calls Albanese ‘child in a man’s body’
Attacking the prime minister in strikingly personal terms, the opposition leader vowed to override premiers opposed to nuclear power plants in their states.
Live
AFL 2024
Kanga heartache: Surging Roos go super close to reeling in 39-point deficit
Melbourne’s season has a pulse after they scraped their way to a heart-stopping three-point victory over North Melbourne. Elsewhere, Sydney Swans made it 10 wins on the trot while Ken Hinkley was jeered at home after Port Adelaide were crunched by the resurgent Brisbane Lions.
Latest live posts
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Nurses fought back against their union for better pay. Here’s the monster deal on the table
The leadership of the nursing and midwifery union was last month left reeling when members rejected an earlier deal they were expected to accept.
Labor branch in open revolt over ‘parachute’ candidate
The rank and file in Melbourne’s outer north are threatening to quit if they are blocked from picking a replacement for outgoing MP Maria Vamvakinou.
Chris has full-time work that pays well. He found a reason to get a second job
The combination of high inflation, high interest rates and plentiful jobs is leading many people to work a second job.
Opinion
Air travel
The unexpected downside of finally experiencing business class
How am I supposed to go from proper cutlery and a flatbed to arguing over an armrest?
Thomas Mitchell
Culture reporter
Essendon home owned by same family for 69 years sells for $1.59m
It was a bittersweet moment for the sellers, whose family home since 1955 was sold for some $215,000 above reserve.
The rich used to send it their sewage, now this suburb is an oasis of creatives
Once a place where the poorest endured toxic run-off from Melbourne’s wealthy, Collingwood is reaching for an affluent, sustainable future. It’s not all smooth going.
King Charles to ‘scale back Australian trip’
King Charles and Queen Camilla will reportedly spend just six days down under as Charles continues cancer treatment.
Nigel Farage claims the West provoked Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
The comments in a BBC interview echo arguments made by Donald Trump, the former US president and friend of Farage.
‘Bad spiral’: Feeling the heat in Ukraine, Putin turns up the temperature elsewhere on the West
Some analysts worry that Western desensitisation to Putin’s warnings, particularly about using nuclear weapons, has created a precarious situation.
Bigger is better for Nadia Bartel and these Australian brands
Three designers are willing to take a risk with new stores despite a tough retail climate.
Podcast
Trial by Water
Trial By Water, Episode 4: How Robert Farquharson failed the Dad test
Subscriber exclusive: In the story of Robert Farquharson there’s one thing that’s the hardest to understand.
‘How has this become a thing?’: Navigating the tricky business of sex after divorce
Grey divorce is on the rise, with an increasing number of divorcees dating again, sometimes after decades of being out of the game.
WEEKEND READS
Attention gym-bench hogs: Try lifting more than your phones
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
Recent Olympic Games have been a grotesque spectacle. Paris could change that forever
Most host cities undergo an expensive building spree to fit the Games. Paris is making the Games fit the city.
Victoria
Only at risk ‘lying on the ground licking the road’: CFMEU fined 109k over safety issues
A Federal Court judge said the construction union’s record showed a “general disregard” for workplace laws after three officials were fined over breaches.
Keon Park station is officially open. Residents were already painfully aware
Goran Torbakov was woken at 7.30am on Friday by an announcement blaring into his apartment: “Dear passengers, this station is now open.”
Victorian tobacco war kingpin’s brother a crime ‘puppeteer’, police allege
Police say Maytham Hamad – the brother of ruthless Melbourne organised-crime kingpin Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad – is ‘a high-level co-ordinator of violence’.
Jury deliberations in missing campers murder trial headed into second week
A Supreme Court jury will continue to consider its verdict on Monday in the trial of former pilot Gregory Lynn after viewing part of his evidence again earlier this week.
Jessica’s killer ate pizza as she died from the injuries he brutally inflicted
Robert Rickerby violently punched, kicked and hit partner Jessica Geddes then left her slowly dying as he went to get food.
AFL 2024
Tom De Koning gets the better of brother Sam as the Blues tame the Cats
Barely a minute had passed on Friday night before Tom De Koning ruthlessly bullied his (not so) little brother Sam, blasting through the first of Carlton’s 21 goals.
Blues dine out on Geelong, Cats won’t ‘jump to conclusions’ on Hawkins
Carlton have stamped their authority on a disastrous Friday night for Geelong at the MCG, with Tom Hawkins injured and Patrick Dangerfield in match review trouble. The Blues won by 63 points.
Politics
Liberals, Nationals split over support for big wind and solar
Liberals insist they want more renewables while leading Nationals are calling for tougher rules on wind and solar projects to prepare the way for nuclear power plants.
Business
‘Careful who you get into bed with’: Sleeping Duck case rocks start-up sector
The mattress maker’s court trial, which resembled a real-life episode of Shark Tank, offered a rare glimpse into how the start-up sausage is made.
World
Prince William takes the children to watch Taylor Swift at Wembley on his birthday
The Prince, who is celebrating his 42nd birthday, is believed to have booked a private box to mark the occasion alongside Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
Opinion
Why Dutton’s nuclear power plan is so Soviet
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Explore
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Property
They’re not a house. But these ‘mini mansions’ cost up to $250,000 more than typical Melbourne home
Cashed up downsizers and even families priced out of the housing market are driving up unit prices in these highly sought-after locations.
Thirteen of the best properties for sale in Victoria
Looking for your next home in Victoria? We have 13 great options, ranging from Sandon to Cape Schanck.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Opinion
Parenting
It’s not selfish not to want kids. It’s selfish to have them
I’ve had three babies and none were born of an act of altruism. Every time I had a child I did so for me.
Kerri Sackville
Columnist and author
Culture
Opinion
WordPlay
I watched it for research. So was I unsatisfied or dissatisfied with The Fall Guy?
Who says you can’t have fun with words at the multiplex?
David Astle
Crossword compiler and ABC Radio Melbourne presenter
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL LIVE round 15: Kanga heartache: Surging Roos go super close to reeling in 39-point deficit
Port coach Ken Hinkley says he won’t surrender after being jeered by Power fans during a 79-point loss to Brisbane. Sydney Swans made it 10 straight wins with victory against GWS. It’s getting tight late between Roos and Demons.
Updated
Match report
Perfect 10: Swans’ premiership charge runs straight over Giants
John Longmire’s men underlined their title credentials with their 10th win in a row after another one-sided clash between the cross-town rivals.
‘You’re only No.1 because Ash retired’: How Barty’s shock call changed tennis history
Ash Barty’s second – and almost certainly final – retirement two years ago not only broke Australian hearts but also unleashed a potential all-time great.
Tom De Koning gets the better of brother Sam as the Blues tame the Cats
Barely a minute had passed on Friday night before Tom De Koning ruthlessly bullied his (not so) little brother Sam, blasting through the first of Carlton’s 21 goals.
Pat-trick: Australia’s engine humming after Cummins’ purple patch
How laser focused is Australia’s World Cup campaign? Pat Cummins forgot he was on a hat-trick against Bangladesh
More pain for Geelong as Dangerfield hit with one-game ban
Geelong’s heavy loss to Carlton and injury to Tom Hawkins has been exacerbated by a one-match suspension offered to skipper Patrick Dangerfield.
Geelong’s nervous wait on Hawkins foot injury
Geelong will nervously await scans on champion forward Tom Hawkins’ left foot as coach Chris Scott concedes they are concerned he may have suffered a serious injury.
Have Your Say
He’s a villain after just seven games. But this young Hawk will be a star
Nick Watson is only 19 and has kicked 5.15, but I’ve seen enough to be convinced he will, in time, become one of the most marketable sports stars in the country.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
