Puzzled with David Astle newsletter
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Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
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Exclusive
Private schools
Former headmaster of Shore takes legal action against school
Tim Petterson left the school in July 2022 after a review of culture had found new leadership was needed.
Breaking
Courts
‘It’s OK’: Lehrmann allegedly consoled woman during Toowoomba rapes
Bruce Lehrmann has been committed to stand trial for rape after his barrister failed to have the case thrown out of court.
‘A knife through Service NSW’: Senior executives set to be sacked
The union says it believes 125 jobs are set to be cut in the first of “waves” of redundancy under the changes, which the government says will include executives.
Senator says ‘people are fed up’ with protests that ‘put others in danger’
Liberal senator Simon Birmingham has slammed the Parliament House protesters, saying people are “fed up”.
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Political leadership
Labor believes Fatima Payman’s rebellion was plotted for a month
The senator’s decision to cross the floor and to later speak out against her party bears all the hallmarks of a carefully co-ordinated plan, according to Labor figures.
Niki Savva
Award-winning political commentator and author
Breaking
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Pro-Palestine protesters unfurl banners from roof of Parliament House
The protest came at the same time as a group of climate activists glued themselves to the floor in the building’s Marble Foyer.
Inside the top-level discussions where Biden admits he has ‘only days’ to salvage candidacy
The US president has emphasised that he is still deeply committed to the fight for reelection but understands that his viability as a candidate is on the line.
‘Tell us now’: Zelensky demands Trump say now what his peace plan is for Ukraine
“We want to understand whether in November we will have the powerful support of the US, or will be all alone,” Zelensky said.
Opinion
Interest rates
How the Trump-Biden debate increased the chance of a rate rise in Australia
A rise in Australian bond yields this week shows how a showdown between two elderly and less-than-impressive politicians could send ripples of unease throughout the global system.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Opinion
Paris 2024
Sorry, but rugby players posing in lingerie in 2024 is not ‘regressive’
Just as female athletes are transcending stereotypes, their agency is being stripped by former female athletes applying the very paternalistic lens they themselves sought to escape.
Emma Kemp
Sports reporter
She is 36, has a PhD and is heading to the Olympics to compete in breakdancing
In a sporting first, Rachael Gunn will be putting her skills to the test at Paris 2024.
Breaking
Wallabies
Schmidt names most debutants in 44 years – including a Test legend’s son
Joe Schmidt has unveiled his first Test team to meet Wales on Saturday, and yet again there are no shortage of new faces.
The pop stars’ idol: How this cool, confident singer has captivated the crowd
Chappelle Roan, 26, is getting love from some of the world’s biggest stars, but search for her name and Google will correct you.
Opinion
Wildlife
Fun gal seeks fungi … because mushrooms have had such a bad rap
I won’t settle for any old fungus when I’m out foraging. I’m going for the holy grail.
Jo Stubbings
Writer and reviewer
His metal band was huge, his rock memoir tackles something bigger
Serj Tankian was frontman for System of a Down and his new memoir is already a bestseller. Don’t expect to read about the parties though: “I’m telling real stories here,” he says.
Why TV’s most hyped show triggered a fan backlash
Has The Bear become a victim of its own success? Season three of the series which dropped last week has been savaged by its fans.
Review
Earlwood
The Sydney bakery pulling in customers from interstate and even further for a taste of home
Treats abound at Baked at Bina’s: fried, sugar-dusted Portuguese doughnuts, just-baked custard tarts and soft-centred Brazilian rolls.
NRL 2024
Opinion
The bunker is getting it all wrong. These are the changes it needs
Andrew Johns
League columnist
Exclusive
‘No one is going to help us’: Frustration at Eels as Moses launches tirade
A seething Mitchell Moses vented his frustration in an impassioned dressing room address to senior staff and players.
Updated
Townsend signs one-year contract to join Roosters in 2025
James Tedesco backed the premiership winner to have a big influence on the club’s rising halves, as the star No.1 contemplates his own future.
Sydney
Manhunt on after three women attacked in Sydney robbery spree
A major police manhunt is under way after a masked man armed with a knife and hammer robbed multiple people.
Graphic content
Surfing
When Brett scalped himself on a remote island, a Learjet flew him to hospital
Drinking too much overseas can void your travel insurance. Being forgetful about your luggage may also mean you won’t get covered. It pays to check the fine print.
Exclusive
Housing affordability
Council votes, angry mayors delay housing reform action
The major “stage 2” changes to permit more low- and mid-rise housing are now slated for the end of 2024 despite earlier indications they would be active by June.
Lawyer charged with smuggling drug-filled balloons into prison
Kristy Howell allegedly concealed cocaine, methamphetamine, buprenorphine and tobacco inside six balloons.
The words that triggered the Paul Kent street brawl
The NRL personality has pleaded guilty to affray but will avoid a formal conviction after the court rejected his mental health claim.
SEE & DO
Is Dracula an antihero? Kip Williams prepares to farewell STC with bite
Dracula is the final piece in STC’s Gothic trilogy, which started with The Picture of Dorian Gray and continued with Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
★★★★
Todd McKenney and Shane Jacobson are the dream cast in this hilarious classic
Our reviewers cast a critical eye over this week’s big shows.
Politics
Exclusive
Investigations
AFP investigation targets top officer
The AFP is embroiled in a conflict-of-interest controversy, amid revelations that a high-ranking official is under investigation for improperly awarding a contract.
Business
Updated
Mergers & acquisitions
Santos shares jump on report Middle Eastern giants are weighing up takeover bids
Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil have reportedly been separately studying potential bids for Australia’s $25 billion energy giant Santos.
World
‘Enabler in Chief’: As Biden digs in, Trump turns his attack on Kamala Harris
Republicans and conservative US media outlets have always taken aim at Harris, who is 21 years younger than the US president.
Opinion
Wagga Wagga boo-boo? Perhaps, but Speakman must defang yappy Nats
Alexandra Smith
State Political Editor
Payman v Albanese and the personal v the collective: Is Labor stuck in 1902?
Tony Wright
Associate editor and special writer
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Property
Broken dishwasher, pins poking through the carpet. Then she got a $130 rent hike
Intense competition to find more affordable homes in Sydney has driven unit rents up $50 per week since last year. Can it continue?
Eight of our favourite luxury homes for sale right now
From a character-filled 1920s arts and crafts residence to a twin-pavilion home with sea views, we’ve rounded up our top picks.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Winter warmer
20 of our favourite winter one-pots to warm you up
Lifestyle
Opinion
Savvy traveller
I flew 300 hours in economy class last year. Here’s how I get the best seat
When faced with long-haul horror, gaining a spare seat or an entire row of seats on “full” flights demands strategy and tactics.
Flip Byrnes
Writer
Culture
‘It is time to say farewell’: Lisa Millar announces exit from ABC Breakfast
Millar has been the co-host of the broadcaster’s breakfast show for about five years after replacing Virginia Trioli in 2019.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Breaking
Wallabies
Schmidt names most Wallabies debutants in 44 years – including a Test legend’s son
Joe Schmidt has unveiled his first Test team to meet Wales on Saturday, and yet again there are no shortage of new faces.
Opinion
Paris 2024
Sorry, but rugby players posing in lingerie in 2024 is not ‘regressive’
Just as female athletes are transcending stereotypes, their agency is being stripped by former female athletes applying the very paternalistic lens they themselves sought to escape.
Emma Kemp
Sports reporter
Opinion
NRL 2024
The bunker is getting it all wrong. These are the changes it needs
The way we use video review technology is driving me crazy. But there are ways to improve it for the fans.
Andrew Johns
League columnist
Stokes sledges Aussies again as Labuschagne’s county side fall one short in world record chase
Marnus Labuschagne and Glamorgan captain Sam Northeast both scored centuries to set up a grandstand finish in the county clash against Gloucestershire.
‘Spent too much money’: A-League club distributions slashed to $500,000
APL chairman Stephen Conroy says the competition was facing financial ruin unless it passed a $20 million hit onto club owners.
Exclusive
NRL 2024
‘No one is going to help us’: Frustration at Eels as Moses launches dressing room tirade
A seething Mitchell Moses vented his frustration in an impassioned address to senior staff and players.
Exclusive
NRL 2024
‘Best of both worlds’: Nawaqanitawase eyes unprecedented Olympic gold-NRL title double
Mark Nawaqanitawase has spoken for the first time about chasing a unique double as the Australian men’s and women’s sevens squad for Paris were unveiled.
Have Your Say
Crittle was a man for all seasons, on and off the rugby field
Charles Peter Crittle was the very heart of rugby in Australia, a man who was formed by its friendships and experiences, and gave back to it many times over.