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Trial by Water podcast
A new investigative podcast about one of Australia’s most controversial cases.
Real Footy newsletter
Get daily updates on all the AFL trade period action.
The footballer, the underworld and the union deal that exposes dark secrets
When Faruk Orman aligned with an ex-AFL goal sneak to secure CFMEU support for a labour-hire firm, it was a case study in underworld figures monetising union backing.
Exclusive
For subscribers
Australians pay the price for CFMEU tactics, figures show
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has turned the dispute over the CFMEU into a political test over the cost of living, claiming the union has added 30 per cent to the cost of major projects.
Updated
Network outage
The ‘largest IT outage in history’ hits computers worldwide
A CrowdStrike outage brought down Microsoft systems worldwide on Friday afternoon, affecting banks, supermarkets, telecommunications and airports.
Once dubbed ‘the most profound vote repellent in modern American history’, Trump has become a juggernaut
Republicans say they are more united than ever before, galvanised by the failed assassination of Trump and a shambolic Democratic Party under a weakened president.
Opinion
US politics
Trump 2024, the living martyr, is at his zenith and looks unstoppable
After Donald Trump’s extraordinary coronation in Wisconsin, and with Joe Biden’s ills mounting, an extraordinary moment of reckoning is at hand for America.
Bruce Wolpe
Senior fellow at the US Studies Centre and former political staffer
Obama ‘fears’ Biden’s victory path has diminished as president weighs up candidacy
After declaring that only “the Almighty” could convince him to stand down after his devastating debate performance, the political walls have begun closing in on Joe Biden.
‘Very alienating places’: The state wants to almost double housing in this suburb. It may have a fight on its hands
They call Ivanhoe a “long-held suburb” for a reason. But residents are being asked to handle growth upwards, not outwards.
Testosterone is trending as ‘missing link’ cure-all for women, prompting warnings
The primary male hormone is in demand as midlife women are told it can produce smaller bellies, better moods and even improved heart health, but claims it’s a “wonder drug” lack evidence.
The tightly held pockets of Melbourne you’ve never heard of
Green space, a sense of community and plenty of family homes – home owners in these suburbs would never dream of moving away.
Analysis
AFL 2024
This could have been the night the Dons blew their finals hopes
For the second year in a row, a finals flame that burned so brightly for much of the season is threatening to be extinguished.
Protests, sabotage and terrorism: Inside the effort to make Paris safe
France is grappling with the potential for devastation on multiple fronts as it seeks to hold the most ambitious opening ceremony in history in the most volatile geopolitical environment since the 1930s.
Exclusive
Ian Thorpe
‘I love it and hate it’: Ian Thorpe’s eternal struggle with swimming
In an exclusive interview, the five-time gold medallist also opens up about his relationship with Michael Phelps and why he isn’t buying into the phony war of words with the US.
Despite their companies owing billions, Sydney family splurge on exorbitant Tuscan wedding
Remon Fayad and the Fayad family spared no expense for their Florentine wedding ceremony. Back in Australia, their companies’ creditors have been left high and dry.
‘We’ll be living with these’: The renewable-energy blitz dividing regional towns
Australia’s renewable energy rollout is facing headwinds in the very communities it needs on board. For the switch to succeed, they need a bigger stake in it.
Exclusive
Venture capital
‘Time and time again I’m overlooked’: Women locked out of tech funding
Funding to female entrepreneurs is at its lowest level in five years, and those in the sector are at odds over what to do next.
‘Young guys are going hard’: Are perms for men the new mullet?
More men are asking for perms that look different but smell the same as their ’80s incarnations.
‘Sham conviction’: Russian court jails US reporter for 16 years in spying case
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was the first US journalist accused of spying in Russia since the Cold War. His employer says the verdict is a sham.
Traveller Letters: Where’s my breakfast and coffee, Qantas?
“After an overnight flight from Asia, I politely asked before landing what happened to breakfast? I was snapped at in reply.”
Paris 2024
Two years after being sent home from training camp, Olympian opens up on controversy
A lot has happened in Australian swimmer Isaac Cooper’s life since his first Olympics in Tokyo.
McKeown losing her world record is a blessing in disguise, say Olympic greats
Steph Rice, who lost her world record months before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, knows exactly how Australia’s backstroke superstar Kaylee McKeown is feeling.
Building Bad
Analysis
Unions, bikies, the IRA and turning a blind eye
If the laws had been changed when they were found to be useless, perhaps we wouldn’t have so many bikies in the Big Build.
Exclusive
Setka’s secret sisterhood: Labor women in covert support of CFMEU boss revealed
Leaked text messages reveal a network of Labor-linked women rallied around the fallen union leader over criminal harassment charges and his criticism of Rosie Batty’s domestic violence advocacy work.
Victoria
‘Should have been IOC president’: Gosper remembered for his profound impact
A long-time International Olympic Committee member, Kevan Gosper was also the inaugural chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport from 1980.
Camper killer Greg Lynn’s extraordinary plan to have murder conviction quashed
To clear their client of Carol Clay’s murder the former pilot’s lawyers are considering using a law successfully applied in the state only once before.
‘She’d steal her grandma’s false teeth’: Notorious conwoman jailed after decades of fraud
Athena Razos, one of many names she used, has defrauded and stolen from law firms, major banks, her first husband and friends over three decades.
Exclusive
City life
Victoria is spending $50 billion on three big projects. None of them are the project people want most
A new survey has found which infrastructure projects residents want for Melbourne, and it’s not what the Allan government is prioritising.
Accused $1.3m traffic fine fixer allowed to go to Greece on holiday
Tyler Garth allegedly used her employment at a VicRoads contractor to falsify fine nominations connected to organised crime figures, including bikie gangs.
AFL 2024
Updated
AFL insists tackles were dangerous after appeals board overturns player bans
While the AFL said it understood the appeal board’s call, it backed the original bans, and shared video of dangerous tackles to the 18 clubs just hours before round 19 began. Watch it here.
AFL teams and tips: Blues drop Pittonet, Kemp for Kangas clash
See the selected teams as they’re announced for AFL round 19. Essendon have dropped their former skipper and forward Peter Wright. Plus check out the expert tipsters.
Politics
Electric vehicle owners could get paid for discharging batteries into the grid
Electric vehicles are a key target of reforms that aim to harness the wave of new, clean energy technology.
Business
Investors thirst for Melbourne’s much-loved pubs, but others call last drinks
A disturbing number of well-known hostelries are also calling last drinks because of soaring costs.
World
Tel Aviv hit by drone attack claimed by Iranian-backed Houthis
The Houthis have repeatedly launched drones and missiles toward Israel but until now, all had been intercepted.
Opinion
‘For the first time, I feel unsafe.’ Trump attack has Australian MPs on edge
David Crowe
Chief political correspondent
Trump 2024 is at his zenith and looks unstoppable
Bruce Wolpe
Senior fellow at the US Studies Centre and former political staffer
Explore
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Property
Our 13 favourite homes for sale in Victoria right now
Looking for your next home? From a luxurious period home to a sub-penthouse with $400,000 worth of marble, we’ve got you covered.
The Victorian sea-change and tree-change spots that are getting cheaper
There are just a handful of suburbs in Victoria where it’s cheaper to rent now than a year ago, but not in the inner city.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Opinion
WordPlay
You might not know it, but you’re probably a ‘citizen scientist’
The term might be controversial, but the practice has become vital to most research fields.
David Astle
Crossword compiler and ABC Radio Melbourne presenter
Opinion
Marriage
Steven said no to the strip club on a buck’s night. Then his mates shunned him
Jenna Price
Columnist and academic
Culture
‘What I was put on this Earth to do’: One-handed pianist to perform with MSO
British concert pianist Nicholas McCarthy is a champion of left-hand alone repertoire – and next year will be performing with the MSO.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Protests, sabotage and terrorism: Inside the effort to make Paris safe
France is grappling with the potential for devastation on multiple fronts as it seeks to hold the most ambitious opening ceremony in history in the most volatile geopolitical environment since the 1930s.
Analysis
AFL 2024
Could this be the night the Dons blew their finals hopes?
For the second year in a row, a finals flame that burned so brightly for much of the season is threatening to be extinguished.
Crows calamity: Essendon reeling after giving up late goals in costly loss
In a match with notable fluctuations, a late goal from Josh Rachele ensured Adelaide pulled off a stunning Friday night win over Essendon. Dangerous tackles are bound to again be in the spotlight, too.
Back in the baggy green? Selectors plan for Glenn Maxwell’s Test comeback
Glenn Maxwell is in line for a long-awaited return to Australia’s Test team this summer, as the national selectors ponder a radically altered line-up.
‘Understand who I am’: How Chol has blossomed at Hawthorn after time with Tigers, Gold Coast
Meet the player who spent the first six years of his AFL career perennially behind forwards Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch at Richmond. In 2024, Mabior Chol has emerged as a player of considerable value to Hawthorn.
McKeown losing her world record is a blessing in disguise, say Olympic greats
Steph Rice, who lost her world record months before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, knows exactly how Australia’s backstroke superstar Kaylee McKeown is feeling.
‘Should have been IOC president’: Gosper remembered for his profound impact
A long-time International Olympic Committee member, Kevan Gosper was also the inaugural chairman of the Australian Institute of Sport from 1980.
Have Your Say
The moment the room went quiet: Inside the meeting of some of the AFL’s most powerful figures
All 18 AFL club chiefs gathered in Perth for a crucial meeting with league bosses as the season nears its conclusion. Their agenda included some of the game’s biggest issues.