Puzzled with David Astle
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Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
Superquiz
See how many of today's questions you can get right.
Exclusive
Building Bad
Revealed: The investigation that made John Setka resign from the CFMEU
A months-long investigation featuring secret surveillance reveals how bikies, criminals and underworld figures have infiltrated the building industry including on large publicly funded projects.
Opinion
World politics
This is a protracted act of self-sabotage. Trump doesn’t need to say a thing
For 16 days, the Democrats have had a collective panic attack in full public view.
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Exclusive
Sydney councils
Claims of disappearing documents engulf Sydney’s Game of Thrones council
From a secure room, investigators have been conducting interviews, requesting records and carrying out electronic audits.
Raymond pays $150 a week to live in Paddington. Developers want him to leave
Sky-high property prices are enticing developers to replace cheap housing with luxury homes. But they probably didn’t anticipate the backlash.
Derelict by design: The ‘ghost homes’ in our big cities no one is talking about
Tens of thousands of homes sit empty across our major cities, while luxury units replace old apartment blocks - all while debate rages about our home shortage.
A-listers fly in to see son of Asia’s richest man marry in the year’s most extravagant wedding
The four-day wedding reportedly has a guest list that includes former British prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, Kim Kardashian, Drake and David Beckham.
Updated
Courts
Alec Baldwin breaks down as judge dismisses charges against him in Rust killing
The actor, who was facing up to 18 months in jail for an involuntary manslaughter charge, cried and embraced his attorneys after the decision was announced.
Sydney couple’s killer may have spent five hours in their hotel room
The bodies of Sydney man David Fisk, his wife Lucita Cortez and her daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez were discovered by a hotel worker.
Something unexpected is happening in China. It has intrigued scientists
For months, the reports came in and scientists pored over the data. It looked a little like good news. Perhaps even something of profound historical significance.
‘Shocked’: The moment Joe Biden lost George Clooney and Hollywood
At a June fundraiser in Los Angeles, some of the president’s biggest backers had their eyes opened.
Kate’s coping strategy was to make herself small. She’s one of the forgotten victims of domestic violence
Studies show girls who grow up in violent homes are more likely to become victims of domestic violence themselves. That was true of Kate.
Olympian Jess Hull destroys 2000-metre world record days before Paris
Hull stunned the athletics world with a blistering run to claim a new benchmark just days out from Paris 2024.
Can an American star stop McKeown from becoming Australia’s greatest Olympian?
Kaylee McKeown could be on the cusp of Olympic immortality if things go perfectly in Paris, but there’s one major rival standing in her way.
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Dogs’ days are over, and it’s only eight years too late
The news this week was as sickening as it was predictable. Cats may have nine lives, but surely the greyhound racing ‘industry’ has run out of second chances.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
If cutting out alcohol completely is unrealistic, raise a glass to ‘damp’ drinking
Conscious, mindful or damp – whatever you call it, drinking in moderation, or not at all, has never been more appetising.
Australian-owned cruise ship set for maiden voyage in Europe
The MS Estrela is set to grace Portugal’s Douro River on her maiden voyage next month.
Paris 2024
Homegrown hopes for Paris: The French stars carrying the weight of a nation
France is hoping to make home advantage count, and is predicted to win 28 gold medals, 19 silver and eight bronze.
‘Absolutely surreal’: Hall and de Rozario to fly Australian flag at Paralympics
Paralympic veterans Brenden Hall and Madison de Rozario have been named as the Australian team’s flag-bearers for Paris.
WEEKEND READS
Australians are becoming Camino converts in record numbers. Why?
More and more Australians are walking the Camino de Santiago, often as a pivotal reset in their lives – and returning transformed.
A pig, an alien and a staircase: The meaning of Aaron Chen’s tattoos
The comedian and actor on how he chooses work (and his tatts), being intimidated in a Korean spa – and eating 40 cheeseburgers with a mate.
Sydney
Analysis
Greyhound racing
Urine samples, soft-serves and an empty grandstand: A night at the greyhounds
A horror week of headlines for the greyhound racing industry didn’t deter regular punters from watching the dogs on Thursday. We thought we’d go along.
Firefighter ban casts shadow over Sydney metro line opening date
The powerful firefighters’ union has banned members from taking part in evacuation drills and other critical exercises, just three weeks before the planned opening to passengers.
Exclusive
Construction
The Sydney apartment building found to have serious defects
The builder being prosecuted by the EPA over 10 tonnes of asbestos-riddled construction waste on his wife’s Southern Highlands property has been dealt a new blow.
Sydney councils that drag heels on housing DA claim there are good reasons
Councils pinged as the slowest in Sydney at assessing development applications say there are several reasons why they rank poorly on a new league table.
Exclusive
Drug reform
Bob Carr held a drug summit 25 years ago. NSW Labor is repeating history
NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns would have faced a backlash from party members if he had not locked in a date for this election promise.
NRL 2024
‘Close to retiring’: Barnett’s battle back from spinal surgery to a Blues debut
Playing State of Origin was the last thing on the mind of Mitchell Barnett after two serious neck operations.
Sharks 58 Tigers 6
Sharks surge back to form with Tigers demolition
Benji Marshall issued a public apology to Wests Tigers fans and admitted his team didn’t have a single decent player after they crashed to their biggest loss of the year against the Sharks.
Politics
Soldier, labourer, gold diggers: Just who are the married couple accused of spying for Russia?
It was gold Kira Korolev was obsessed with, filling her YouTube channel with footage of her never-ending search for a few glimmering flecks.
Business
The ‘big three’ telcos have lifted their prices - so which phone plan is right for you?
There’s never been a better time to ditch your provider and shop around for a new phone plan.
World
Analysis
US Votes 2024
Shaky answers and gaffes: Biden’s latest showing won’t stem the bleeding
Joe Biden’s press conference wasn’t the train wreck many feared, but it was not enough to stop calls for him to pull out of the race, either.
Opinion
Don’t jeer at cheerleaders until you’ve watched this show
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
Why the cookie-cutter can’t solve Sydney’s housing crisis
Tone Wheeler
Australian Architecture Association president
Explore
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Property
Our seven favourite homes for sale in Sydney right now
Looking for your next home? From a shimmering waterfront apartment to a renovated landmark house, we’ve got you covered.
The graph that shows how households got priced out of the market
Australian home buyers are taking on less debt when compared to their income, despite rising property prices across the country.
Good Food
Recipe collection
Baking
Five zingy lemon cakes to bake this weekend
Recipe collection
Beef
Winter warmers: 10 ways to cook ‘impossible to ruin’ beef cheeks
Lifestyle
![Melbourne designer Tara Sutherland makes pockets a feature of her dresses for her label [Act One].](http://web.archive.org./web/20240713013458im_/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.21618707093821513%2C$multiply_1.4577%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_191%2C$y_0/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/7d74777b4bda15253d0f64a093d5fc2bf3d5ac0e)
What do women want? Pocket equality is a good start
For centuries, pockets were considered essential for men but optional for women. These Australian designers are making a difference.
Culture
Music in the ’80s belonged to Kim Gordon. At 71, she still plays hard
Long after Sonic Youth’s bitter split, artist, writer and musician Kim Gordon is inspiring a new generation of women.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Can an American star stop McKeown from becoming Australia’s greatest Olympian?
Kaylee McKeown could be on the cusp of Olympic immortality if things go perfectly in Paris, but there’s one major rival standing in her way.
‘I was scared of him’: The intensity of the Blues under Maguire
Michael Maguire’s reputation for intensity had intimidated some Blues players, but in the Origin arena, it’s exactly what NSW need to succeed.
Olympian Jess Hull smashes world 2000-metre record in Monaco
Hull stunned the athletics world with a blistering run to claim a new benchmark just days out from Paris 2024.
Chip off the old Beef: Another Botham aims to torment Australia in Melbourne
James Botham’s grandfather was an Ashes menace at the MCG. And as a Welsh rugby star, he’s aiming to keep up the family tradition a few hundred metres away.
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Dogs’ days are over, and it’s only eight years too late
The news this week was as sickening as it was predictable. Cats may have nine lives, but surely the greyhound racing ‘industry’ has run out of second chances.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Mills primed to repay Swans with a captain’s knock at the SCG
Isaac Heeney is unavailable to face North Melbourne on Saturday and the man replacing him, captain Callum Mills, will be motivated to repay Sydney’s faith in him.
‘Close to retiring’: How Barnett battled back from spinal surgery for a Blues debut
Playing State of Origin was the last thing on the mind of Mitchell Barnett after two serious neck operations.
Have Your Say
Why success for Wallabies this year is finishing top of ‘second division’
Painfully modest as it sounds, a realistic aim for Australia would be to finish sixth in the world rankings, ahead of Scotland, Argentina and the increasingly solid Fiji.
