Puzzled with David Astle newsletter
For subscribers: Tips and tricks from our puzzles guru, plus try our quizzes, crosswords and puzzles.
Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
Download our app
Follow top stories, personalise your news feed and receive important alerts.
The six weeks that turned Fatima Payman’s rift with Labor into a chasm
Fatima Payman was a quiet backbencher for her first two years in the Senate. But for the past six weeks the former union official has become a household name.
The dirty secret of Australia’s green energy transition
Renewable energy, storage and transmission lines will get Australia most of the way to banishing coal from the grid. But not the whole way, officials warn.
Updated
US Votes 2024
‘Trying to push me out of the race’: Joe Biden rejects calls for him to step aside
A fired-up Biden made it clear he would not back down, telling supporters: “I’m not going to let a 90-minute debate wipe out three-and-a-half years of work.”
Sydney investor splashes $1.575m for architect-designed Abbotsford home
The buyer, who was bidding from Sydney via video call, outbid two young couples and has plans to rent out the renovated two-bedder.
Updated
Crime
Murder probe launched after woman’s body found at Melbourne tip
Police believe the woman was inside a bin that was picked up outside a property in Coolaroo on Tuesday and taken to Epping.
Hospital mulls axing elective surgery as budget crisis sparks fears of waiting list blowouts
Looming health cuts threaten to blow elective surgery waiting lists out, and force more people to take out private health insurance.
Live
AFL 2024
North hold-out Suns in dying moments to claim second win of the season; Day to forget for Dogs
North have won their second game of the season against the Suns. Over in Adelaide, Port dominated the Dogs. Follow all the moments and post game reactions.
Latest live posts
LoadingUpdated
Collingwood Magpies
Magpies’ wings clipped: Collingwood’s injury cost from prime-time loss to Bombers
Collingwood premiership forward Brody Mihocek will miss the rest of the home and away season, but the news is better for another key Magpie.
‘It comes up in every interview’: Hard-edged ‘Worpedo’ sets the record straight
Hawthorn tough nut James Worpel takes a leaf out of his coach’s book in proving his doubters wrong.
From tobacco factory to artistry, this suburb is the southside’s northside
Creatives, breweries, patisseries and young families are springing up in the suburb’s once-gritty industrial precinct, which used to be home to soft drink manufacturers and big tobacco companies.
‘Which one’s the loudest?’: Robert’s doctor delivers the best medicine – in a Porsche
The 46-year-old mechanic had a final wish before cancer takes him. His sports car loving oncologist granted it.
Grocery shopping for one is hard. Here’s how to do it without wasting money or food
Be realistic with yourself, make a meal plan, shop strategically and often, and give leftovers a chance.
Analysis
Wimbledon
A sporting colossus and the ‘most important’ tennis tournament: What sets the AO and Wimbledon apart
One ex-pat calls Wimbledon and the Australian Open “the two best sporting events in the world”. Here’s what they can teach each other.
Eight memorable moments from the UK election campaign
From bungee jumping to Count Binface, in the weeks before Labour’s landslide win, the British election generated no shortage of remarkable scenes.
Nedd’s injury-laden 4000km run fascinated physios. His new plan may stun them
Nedd Brockmann became a national sensation in 2022 when he ran from Perth to Sydney. Now the man with the famous haircut has set himself a new challenge.
Huy Fong sriracha is almost impossible to find. Have we already moved on?
Many Australians are struggling to find their favourite brand of hot sauce – but some aren’t mourning Huy Fong’s absence in the market.
WEEKEND READS
Opinion
Booed, under-paid and over-scrutinised: Who’d be an AFL coach?
Caroline Wilson
Football columnist for The Age
The Bikeriders: The film that cast Austin Butler before he became a heartthrob
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
Opinion
Will Fatima Payman become the Pauline Hanson of the left? That’s up to her
The now-independent WA senator’s next decision could have even more profound implications for Australian politics.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Victoria
Ulli helped raise Mzuri. Years later, the gorilla recognised her on a zoo visit
Legendary primate keeper Ulli Weiher is marking five decades working at Melbourne Zoo. She says every day is different.
Man dies, another arrested in Brighton
Police were called to a home on Foote Street and found an injured man about 8.30pm on Friday night.
Accused killer teen driver bailed despite objections of dead man’s family
The 17-year-old boy was released on bail to live with his mother, despite opposition from the family of dead man William Taylor.
Alleged ‘puppeteer’ brother of tobacco war kingpin released on bail
The brother of an alleged organised crime kingpin has been granted bail despite fears he’s a flight risk and player in a violent illicit tobacco syndicate.
Record-breaking weather system brings rain and freezing mornings
Rain in Sydney and record-breaking cold in Victoria is down to an abnormal anticyclone that could go down in history.
AFL 2024
Blues’ contracts on hold amid salary cap squeeze
A tight salary cap is behind two Carlton players not yet being offered new deals.
AFL’s ‘opening round’ set to return in 2025 – but clubs want change
Clubs are preparing to make it clear to the AFL that significant issues that arose due to opening round need to be addressed.
Politics
Crackdown targets foreign agents harassing dissidents
Australians with Iranian, Chinese, Cambodian, Rwandan and Indian backgrounds have reported foreign agents harassing and assaulting them on local soil.
Business
‘Couldn’t see the mainstream appeal’: How the world’s best-selling video game defied expectations
Minecraft’s lead developer Jens Bergensten speaks on the global phenomenon that has lasted for 15 years.
World
Orban meets Putin for ‘peace mission’, infuriating the EU, worrying Ukraine
The Hungarian leader’s trip drew strong rebukes from fellow EU leaders and Ukraine said it had not been consulted beforehand.
Opinion
Explore
Got a news tip?
Share information with our journalists securely and confidentially. Learn more
Property
Our favourite 14 homes for sale in Victoria right now
Looking for your next home? From a modular home with mountain views to a modern executive townhouse, we’ve got you covered.
The regional Victorian towns drawing priced-out Melburnians
Three councils on Melbourne’s fringe have had similar or stronger rental price growth over the past 12 months, a sign of a spillover effect.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Gold, silver and denim: The best and worst Olympic uniforms
Judo suits, splattered skirts and bro blazers will be worn by athletes from around the world at the opening ceremony on the Seine.
Culture
★★★★
Streaming
How Maggie Beer’s small changes make a big difference
In a new series, the 2010 Senior Australian of the Year and TV presenter takes her skills into a Perth aged care home to improve the lives of residents.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Live
AFL 2024
AFL 2024 round 17 LIVE updates: Kangas pull off thrilling win; Day to forget for Bulldogs
Follow along for all the major moments and post game reactions from AFL Saturday.
‘It comes up in every interview’: Hard-edged ‘Worpedo’ sets the record straight
Hawthorn tough nut James Worpel takes a leaf out of his coach’s book in proving his doubters wrong.
Analysis
Wimbledon
A sporting colossus and ‘the most important tournament in tennis’: What sets the AO and Wimbledon apart
One Melbourne ex-pat calls Wimbledon and the Australian Open “the two best sporting events in the world”. Here’s what separates them from the pack, and what they can teach each other.
‘Super special’: Opals dominate despite Jackson’s struggles as she looks ahead to fifth Games
The Opals scored another big win over one of the benchmarks of world basketball and stand-in coach Cheryl Chambers senses something special is building ahead of Paris 2024.
The once-unsinkable Pies are shipping water, but the Bombers are back on their wave
Essendon had a comprehensive win over reigning premiers Collingwood. The Bombers’ challenge now is to stay the course, while the Magpies must reverse theirs.
Opinion
AFL 2024
Booed, under-paid and over-scrutinised: Who’d be an AFL coach?
The AFL must end the conversation about improving the lot of coaches, and act. Watching Ken Hinkley after last Sunday’s game should have proved another wake-up call.
Caroline Wilson
Football columnist for The Age
Blues’ contracts on hold amid salary cap squeeze
A tight salary cap is behind two Carlton players not yet being offered new deals.
Have Your Say
Too many whingers: Why the footy sook-fest has to stop
The constant complaining in the AFL has gone too far and threatens to tarnish the code’s reputation as Australia’s premier sport.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
