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Good Weekend Talks
In-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now.
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Exclusive
Investigations
ASIO warns organised crime, bikies linked to antisemitism, hostile nations
Spy chief Mike Burgess has signalled grave concerns that criminals could be accepting payments to carry out hate crimes or act for hostile nations.
Opinion
Trump's America
Trump no longer leads the free world. So the West must confront a vexing question
European leaders are suddenly questioning whether America, under Donald Trump, remains their ally. Australia may have to confront the same question.
Nick Bryant
Journalist and author
Exclusive
Naked City
How the government ended the career of another top cop
Last year, former deputy commissioner Ross Guenther outlined to John Silvester his ideas for the justice system. The state government took it as an attack.
‘Training at insane levels’: Inside the brutal, elite world of private school rowing
The death of a year 12 Melbourne Grammar student rower this week has raised questions about the intensity of training demands at some prestigious private schools.
Exclusive
Private schools
Private schoolboys accused of ‘punishing’ classmates with straps
Police have been called in by a prestigious Victorian school to investigate claims a punishment ring of senior boarding students with a “perverse sense of justice” has repeatedly assaulted younger boarders.
Exclusive
Investigation
Billionaire backs away from questionable property deals amid board crisis talks
The beleaguered tech billionaire has called in a $70 million loan he gave to an associate of his wife’s ex-husband – a nut roaster from Lakemba.
Divorce, inheritance, indecision: The human stories behind the $2b storage-unit boom
In our modern, hyper-consumerist world, we all have too much stuff. And where we store it holds a multitude of revelations.
Christopher Walken has always been the bad guy. Now we’re seeing a different side
After a 60-year career thick with oddballs, playing a regular character comes as a welcome relief for the Oscar winner.
How Melbourne house prices compare with the steepest property downturn in a generation
Melbourne home values have been falling for the best part of a year, but will the interest rate cut change the outlook for the market?
Exclusive
Australia votes
‘Not a good day’: Should Anthony Albanese call a Passover election?
Easter, Anzac Day, the WA state election - picking a date for the federal election is posing a challenge. A community is divided over the latest favourite.
Exclusive
Immigration
Coalition senator fills in for Tony Burke at citizenship ceremonies slammed by Dutton
Kerrynne Liddle spoke at a citizenship ceremony on behalf of Tony Burke on the same day Coalition colleagues implied he was using the events to swing votes in key seats.
French far-right leader cancels speech after Bannon gives ‘Nazi salute’
Steve Bannon said his gesture was just a “wave” of thanks, and accused National Rally leader Jordan Bardella of “wetting his pants like a little child”.
The Cummings dynasty has produced generations of winners. Now it’s teetering on the brink
The legacy of racing royalty is on the line with the son of the “Cups King” losing his training licence and facing eviction from the family’s famous stables.
Opinion
The Fitz Files
Gout Gout in the Stawell Gift is a masterstroke – there’s just one problem
The young sprint sensation’s participation in the famous handicap race on Easter Monday will be unmissable.
Peter FitzSimons
Columnist and author
Exclusive
AFL 2025
‘He’s not being pressured or coerced’: Bombers coach gives free agent space
While rival clubs circle the energetic ruckman, Essendon coach Brad Scott does not want him rushing a decision on his future.
Cram this year’s best pictures before the Oscars. Here’s how
If you’re worried you’ve fallen behind on your Academy Award watch list, don’t worry – we have you covered.
Opinion
Sam Kerr
Poms, put aside your Ouija boards – Australians do have common sense about Sam Kerr
Short of words and desperate for a donut, a mother country scribe has decided to attack this columnist for his piece on Kerr.
John Silvester
Crime reporter
I tried to downgrade from Qantas premium to economy and was rebuffed
“The flight was fairly empty, so I tried to move to an empty row of four seats in economy but was stopped and told I couldn’t change classes.”
Victoria
Locals hate this level crossing removal plan. Now even Labor MPs are attacking it
Residents say the plan would split their inner-west community in two. Now, pressure is growing after local federal and state MPs spoke out.
Exclusive
Hospitals
Fresh funding fight brewing between hospitals and Allan government
The state’s hospitals say they need hundreds of millions to realise the new health service networks, but the timing could be tricky.
Norma is almost 90. She just bought a beloved general store in regional Victoria
The heart of the town of Guildford will beat again when the century-old store reopens this weekend.
Childcare centres doling out luxe perks to woo big-spending parents
Competition between childcare centres and parents’ appetite for “holistic advancement” for their children is driving offerings upmarket at daycare facilities.
Opinion
Naked City
Week of the long knives. What Neil Paterson’s farewell letter really tells us
The state government is conducting an apparent purge of the top ranks of Victoria Police, and it’s exposing the advice the government has long ignored.
John Silvester
Crime reporter
Weekend Reads
Charlotte arrived in Australia with a backpack and no idea about racing. Now she’s chasing group 1 glory
The boutique trainer has her first group 1 runner on Saturday at Caulfield, where the horses will be paraded at the old mounting yard instead of a new $60 million facility.
The MCG-sized garden set to make Melbourne’s arts precinct feel like a nature reserve
On a city rooftop, horticulturalists are putting plants through their paces to see which will make the cut.
Politics
Updated
Defence
Flights warned as Chinese ships hold live fire drill in waters between Australia and New Zealand
Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to discuss the Chinese naval exercise when she meets with China’s foreign minister at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Business
The power of Ari: How Donald Trump’s former agent became a billionaire
Ari Emanuel has worn many hats over his career. Now, he has one more to add.
World
Updated
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Netanyahu vows to make Hamas ‘pay the full price’ for returning wrong body
The Israeli PM’s comments come as Hamas confirms the remains of Shiri Babas had been mixed up in the rubble after an air strike.
Opinion
The real reason Trump is waging a global trade war
Melissa Lawford
It’s impossible to do justice to an entire continent, but I’ll do my best
Michael Koziol
North America correspondent
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Property
Our eight favourite homes for sale in Melbourne right now
Looking for your next home? From a renovated Fitzroy unicorn home to a rooftop that promises party nights, we’ve got you covered.
The couple who built a life-sized replica Noah’s ark, complete with drawbridge
The new owner can live on a hill, look out over the ocean and get the impression the building is floating.
Good Food
Lifestyle
Marriage material: The denim you can wear to a wedding
As luxury brands invest in denim, the iconic maker of working-class jeans, Levi’s, is reclaiming its territory. Plus, the best denim trends of 2025.
Opinion
Social media
Food for thought: If we are what we eat, I’m probably Vegemite toast
Kerri Sackville
Columnist and author
Culture
This revolutionary game just turned 25 and is showing no signs of losing its cult-like following
A game in which you can build your dream home, become a celebrity, and get revenge without consequence? The Sims cracked the code on life simulation.
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Exclusive
AFL 2025
‘He’s not being pressured or coerced’: Bombers coach gives free agent space
While rival clubs circle the energetic ruckman, Essendon coach Brad Scott does not want him rushing a decision on his future.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2025
Are teams gaming the system? Behind the AFL’s ‘bizarre’ rule change
The ball will now be bounced by an umpire after a club is warned for a 6-6-6 infringement at a centre bounce after a goal, to avoid teams being tempted to gain a competitive advantage.
Charlotte arrived in Australia with a backpack and no idea about racing. Now she’s chasing group 1 glory
The boutique trainer has her first group 1 runner on Saturday at Caulfield, where the horses will be paraded at the old mounting yard instead of a new $60 million facility.
Analysis
AFL 2025
Movers and shake-ups: Your guide to each AFL club’s positional changes
New year, new beginning. On the eve of a new season, every AFL club is managing changes of personnel. Catch up on all the positional moves, potential or otherwise, with our club-by-club guide.
Miserable Cup opener for Matildas as they suffer 4-0 defeat to Japan
Australia suffered their heaviest defeat to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup in Houston on Friday morning (Australia time).
‘Strategic’: Racing powerhouse cuts jobs across two states
The powerhouse Ciaron Maher stable has confirmed it is cutting staff across two states as part of a “corporate clean-up” heading into the autumn carnival.
Luke Sayers, a flag drought and communism: Members unload at Carlton AGM
Two things were at the forefront of Carlton members’ minds at the club’s AGM – how long did they have to wait for a flag, and who was replacing Luke Sayers on the board.
Have Your Say
Venus Williams’ ‘comeback’ is an indictment on tennis
It is a win for nostalgic fans who remember the seven-time grand slam champion’s halcyon days, but make no mistake, this is an indictment on a women’s tour lacking in star power.
Marc McGowan
Sports reporter