Puzzled with David Astle
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Good Weekend Talks
In-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now, from sport to politics to the arts.
Superquiz
See how many of today's questions you can get right.
Exclusive
Sex, sleaze and hospitality
Two women go public with Swillhouse sex assault claims
Rachelle “Rocky” Hair was the first female bartender at Swillhouse venues and Jenna Hemsworth was Australian Bartender of the Year in 2018. They won’t be silenced.
Woman charged with murder after man’s body found in surfboard bag
A 35-year-old woman has been charged over the alleged murder of a 62-year-old man who was known to her.
Analysis
Political leadership
12 big ideas and six sitting weeks: It’s crunch time for Albanese
With an election looming, the federal government is running out of time to get a raft of reforms through.
Jess and Will got scammed, and they want to stop it happening to you
The first home buyers saved and never ordered avocado toast – but their dream became a nightmare, one that’s happening to more and more Australians.
Exclusive
Social media
The Facebook problem that only hurts Australians
Frances Haugen made global headlines when she blew the whistle on Facebook. She says the company treats Australia differently to other markets.
Updated
Crime
Attack at German festival leaves people dead and wounded
Police say three people were killed and four were seriously injured in an attack on Friday at a festival in the western Germany city of Solingen.
Opinion
US Votes 2024
Trump out-Foxed: The most telling thing about Kamala’s pyjama party
Donald Trump phoned in to Fox to offer his critique of Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech at the DNC. They duly put him to air, initially...
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Opinion
Parliament House
Is ‘rip him a new one!’ really necessary for robust democratic debate?
The teals are inviting us to see the cacophony as something else – stupid, harmful to social civility and, above all, unnecessary.
Jacqueline Maley
Columnist and senior journalist
Spurs fans love ‘Big Ange’. If only he had been shown such respect here
In Australia, some struggled with Ange Postecoglou’s name. In the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, tens of thousands of Brits chant it.
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Bravo to you, Ron Coote, but this Immortals-mania needs to slow down
Further trips back through rugby league’s history is an exercise that best be avoided.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Swans eager to rectify the one shortcoming in their unmatched finals run
The Swans have played in more finals series than any other team since their 1996 grand final appearance.
Exclusive
Title Deeds
Salim Mehajer built the most famous house in Lidcombe. The bank is selling it
The former deputy mayor built what is arguably the most famous - and glamorous - house in Lidcombe, but it is the bank that’s selling it.
Traveller Letters: Book with this budget airline at your peril
“When it works, it’s great. When things go wrong however, you are totally on your own.”
‘A very serious mistake’: What Mandela regretted during his visit to Australia
As the statesman’s physician, Dr Peter Friedland thought he understood much about Nelson Mandela. Then Friedland announced he was moving to Australia.
Kim Williams on the toughest job in media: ABC chair
The recently installed ABC chairman explains how he’s getting to grips with a “complicated beast” of a corporation.
From burlesque to jazz: 10 of Sydney’s best venues for dinner and a show
Burlesque performers and chef’s tables or faux-camping with acoustic musicians? Eat, drink and be entertained simultaneously at these memorable dining experiences.
Balmain is the pop culture mecca of Sydney. Here’s why
From Lantana to Gatsby to Our Rose Byrne, Balmain’s cultural footprint is huge.
SEX, SLEAZE AND HOSPITALITY
Exclusive
The sordid bet that unfolded behind the bank vault door at Baxter Inn
Graphic content: When hospitality group Swillhouse opened a new whisky bar, the all-male team was issued a challenge: a special prize for being to the first to have sex with a customer.
Exclusive
Swillhouse cancels festival after sponsors and musicians pull out
The company said it was “heartbroken” by the sexual assault allegations as it pleaded with staff and suppliers not to abandon them.
Sydney
The Sydney school debunking myths and bucking NAPLAN trends
The release of the latest literacy and numeracy results comes amid a stand-off between the federal education minister and his state counterparts over funding.
Analysis
Sydney Metro
My night out with the transport minister: 12km, three bars, and a metro line
Who said the metro was for only commuters? From North Sydney to the inner west, bar hopping just became easy.
North Shore Rapist re-enacted attack with escort, on $1300 pension, court told
Graham James Kay has also refused medication and remains a “high risk” of attacks – but wants his ankle monitor off early.
Whale leads rescuers on harbour chase, before tasting sweet freedom
The humpback moved erratically, lunging across Sydney Harbour’s coves and bays and then hugging the coastline. It was untangled from the fishing line with a few deft cuts.
Earthquake damages buildings near proposed nuclear plant site
The “quite alarming” quake was felt from southern Sydney to Coffs Harbour on the Mid North Coast.
WEEKEND READS
‘From LA to Byron to Sydney’: The trippy treat popular among Millennial mums
This rising “It” drug looks like designer chocolate, is micro-dosed among the monied set – and is illegal.
‘Help your mob’: The psychologist building an ‘army’ to tackle Indigenous suicide
She grew up in the only Aboriginal family in a remote Pilbara mining town. Now Tracy Westerman is fighting for the lives of at-risk youth in communities like hers.
Politics
Albanese’s domestic violence experts tell him to ban gambling ads
The prime minister ordered a rapid review of practical solutions to stop the violence. The advice he received is something he’s been reluctant to do.
Business
Yo-Chi is ‘not a fad’: Meet the man making frozen yoghurt cool again
The family behind Boost Juice has engineered a frozen yoghurt revival and turned Yo-Chi into Australia’s fastest-growing dessert chain.
World
Last body recovered following Sicily superyacht tragedy
The body is believed to be that of Hannah Lynch, the daughter of tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch.
Opinion
Why Australian banks are better at stopping scammers than British banks
Anna Bligh
CEO, Australian Banking Association
I jumped up and down when I heard Michelle Obama utter one amazing word
Julia Baird
Journalist, broadcaster, historian and author
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Property
Our seven favourite homes for sale in NSW right now
Looking for your next home? From a former whaler’s cottage to an ‘iceberg house’ with Harbour Bridge views, we’ve got you covered.
Exclusive
Title Deeds
Lifestyle blogger sells one of Sydney’s most expensive houses for about $80m
Stephanie Conley-Buhre has developed a reputation for her high-end house flips, but her latest puts her among the country’s most expensive house sellers.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Mornings without screens, coffee or exercise? I tried it and have thoughts
Is the “low-dopamine morning” as life-changing as it sounds? Experts weigh in on the trend.
Culture
Opinion
WordPlay
What this Pixar film gets so right about the human condition
Is this boredom I’m feeling, or ennui?
David Astle
Crossword compiler and ABC Radio Melbourne presenter
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Bravo to you, Ron Coote, but this Immortals-mania needs to slow down
Further trips back through rugby league’s history is an exercise that best be avoided.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Opinion
Bledisloe Cup
In the coffin of All Blacks rugby, the Bledisloe Cup is in play
The implosion of the once-invincible All Blacks has Wallabies fans passing the popcorn and dreaming of a Bledisloe upset.
Paul Cully
Rugby columnist
Drainage dramas won’t force games to be relocated from Allianz Stadium
Serious questions have been asked about the Allianz Stadium drainage after a relatively minor downpour caused havoc last week.
Beastie noise: Why rise of Sydney’s strongest rugby club has caused a loud stir
The resurgent Eastern Suburbs were club champions this year and are chasing their first Shute Shield since 1969 – but there is no shortage of rivals hoping they’ll stumble.
Swans eager to rectify the one shortcoming in their unmatched finals run
The Swans have played in more finals series than any other team since their 1996 grand final appearance.
How a stranded surfer and a backflipping teen can help Molly Picklum’s title tilt
The Australian star has locked in her WSL Finals spot and can now climb up the world rankings after a strong showing in the Fiji Pro.
Exclusive
Australian rugby
Fittler junior considering career in rugby after Waratahs, RA offer
It’s one of the most famous surnames in Australian rugby league. But the son of Brad Fittler could be become a star in the rival 15-man code instead.
Have Your Say
Finals of fortune: The dollars, deals and reputations up for grabs in September
Several halves - from the biggest earners to unlikeliest match-winners - are stepping out of the shadows and into the NRL spotlight.
