Aussie steelmaker tipped to rebuff fresh $13b takeover
Shares in Australia's biggest steelmaker soared to a 17-year high on a takeover bid but analysts suggest Kerry Stokes and his US partner need to up their offer.
Economy, Business and Finance
Hybrids, SUVs and utes race away with 2025 car sales
Australian motorists are increasingly choosing fuel-efficient vehicles but that does not mean a move away from SUVs or utes.
Fears more sinkholes could appear near tunnel project
A large, gaping crater has opened at a suburban sports oval near major tunnel-boring works, sparking safety fears about whether another could emerge.
Space weather a growing risk for air traffic
Space weather is increasingly impacting aircraft electronics, and that means the recent grounding of dozens of flights may not be a one-off, researchers warn.
Aussie dollar set for lift but Trump coin toss remains
Global tailwinds and relative interest rates are supporting the Australian dollar but trade uncertainty means a cheap overseas holiday is anything but certain.
Early lung cancer checks reach 50,000 Australians
Figures have been released six months after a free lung cancer screening program was introduced, with 10 per cent of participants detected with the disease.
National home price hit a new record high in 2025
Home prices around the nation increased slightly in December to a new record high of $880,000 as Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth led the charge.
Ill-fated cruise ship refloated off Papua New Guinea
Safety agencies are assessing if a cruise ship that ran aground off PNG is seaworthy after it was refloated and its 80 passengers flown back to Australia.
Blow to Australian beef producers as China hikes tariff
Australia stands to lose more than $1 billion in exports despite a free trade agreement after China upped its tariff on beef imports from all nations.
Weaker housing market tipped as rate hike fears mount
House prices recorded strong gains in 2025 but fears of rate hikes look set to cool Australia's housing market in early 2026.
Boxing Day sales take off with bargain airfares
Shoppers are being urged to scrutinise Boxing Day bargain claims, while two major airlines have announced discounted fare sales.
Clicking and streaming: Australian online habits evolve
Australians are hooking up to faster broadband connections by the thousands and the technology is changing the way they consume entertainment.
Cops ramp up firepower amid calls to celebrate new year
Australia's biggest New Year's Eve celebrations will have a different look as authorities vow to protect the Jewish community after a horror mass shooting.
Strong security pledge as Jewish families plead with PM
The NSW premier has heralded a new chapter in the state's security protocols and resources following a deadly anti-Semitic terrorist attack.
French 1960s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot has died at 91
A month after being hospitalised, French 1960s sex symbol Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91 at her home in the south of France.
New year brings cheaper medicines, higher energy bills
A cut to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment will slash the cost of medicines but Australians face higher power bills in the new year.
Christmas bonus as Aussie shares soar to six-week high
Hopes of a much-anticipated Santa rally are beginning to crystallise, after the local bourse hit its highest price in six weeks and gold notched a record.
CBA to repay $68m in fees to low-income customers
Following a report by ASIC, the Commonwealth Bank says it's repaying $68 million to low-income customers who incurred unusually high banking fees.
Bee-sieged island keeping deadly mite at bay
An island that is home to a unique population of honey bees hopes biosecurity measures will protect it from a deadly parasite taking hold across Australia.
Bold company tax proposal still friendless after revamp
An alternative corporate tax proposal could have greater economic benefits if a requirement to be budget-neutral was removed, the Productivity Commission says.
‘Unconscionable’: major bank’s record fine bumped up
ANZ has been fined $250 million for widespread misconduct and systemic failures that impacted the federal government, taxpayers and thousands of customers.
Australians fleeing south to escape climate extremes
Australians are already on the move due to climate change, with one state the number one choice for those seeking relief from heat, floods and fires.
Gas reservation promises ‘downward pressure’ on prices
Australia will divert more of its gas for local use rather than export under a long-awaited reservation policy designed to ward off shortfalls.
Mega media group merger clears shareholder hurdle
Seven West Media shareholders have overwhelmingly agreed to the TV network's merger with Southern Cross Media, with the union set to be complete in weeks.
‘Horse has bolted’ on cheap gas, even with reservation
Businesses and households want cheaper gas but it remains unclear how effective a plan to reserve more supply for domestic use will be at lowering prices.
‘Horse has bolted’ on cheap gas, even with reservation
Businesses and households want cheaper gas but it remains unclear how effective a plan to reserve more supply for domestic use will be at lowering prices.
Early warnings not heeded in deadly triple-zero outage
A host of mistakes were made during an Optus triple-zero outage linked to two deaths, including a failure to escalate initial concerns up the chain.
Casino group boss cashes in his chips after 18 months
An embattled casino operator is on the hunt for a new boss, just weeks after regulators signed off on a rescue package from an American gambling giant.
Meal kit services sued over alleged subscription traps
The competition watchdog has taken meal delivery services HelloFresh and Youfoodz to court for misleading consumers with subscriptions.
Business chief urges action on racism, anti-Semitism
The outgoing chair of one of the world's biggest commercial explosives makers has pointed to the Bondi massacre as an example of the need to "contain" racism.
Plea for spending cuts as banks tip interest rate hikes
Half of Australia's big four banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates at its next meeting as inflation is pushed outside the target zone.