Dictator’s daughter agrees to booze ban on flights
The glamorous daughter of ex-Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Sr has agreed not to drink alcohol on planes following an alleged drunken incident.
Economy, Business and Finance
No magical save for Star as govt focuses on workers
As the shares of embattled casino operator Star Entertainment fall to an all-time low, a state government has ruled out giving it a financial lifeline.
PM finishes three-state blitz with key message
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have launched a soft test of their pitches to voters ahead of the federal election after a week of unofficial campaigning.
Aussie shares drop for second day but gain for week
The ASX200 fell on Friday but finished the week 0.5 per cent higher, recovering from a slight fall during the previous five days of trading.
Tourists splash cash in Australia’s holiday hotspots
Parking nightmares and long lines at coffee shops are common in Australia's beachside towns during peak season - a period local businesses rely on.
Friendly robots, AI litter boxes: the new tech frontier
Wild, weird and unexpected gadgets have been shown in Las Vegas as part of an annual tech fest, with AI powering some household devices for the first time.
Australia’s bullet-proof jobs market put to the test
Even with restrictive interest rate settings and inflation battering the economy, Australia's labour market has proved surprisingly resilient.
Australians warned: Meta to stop muzzling false claims
Australians are likely to see more false content and abuse on their Facebook, Instagram and Threads feeds when Meta ditches fact-checking problematic posts.
Support grows to ditch shark nets along popular beaches
Shark nets are being likened to a "hanky floating in the ocean" and more coastal communities want to ditch the barriers, which can kill other marine life.
Australian shares rally after news of easing inflation
The ASX200 hit a four-week high after a report of cooling inflation raised hopes for Australia's first interest rate cut in four years.
Black Friday spurs spending but full figures fall short
Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.
Bank of mum and dad could run dry for retirement
Affordability constraints have many turning to the bank of mum and dad but parents have been urged to consider their finances carefully before lending.
‘Alarming’ move by Meta raises misinformation fears
Meta's decision to end its third-party fact checks could put Australian democracy at risk amid an explosion of misinformation and disinformation, leaders warn.
Casino operator Star’s shares plunge amid grim finances
Star Entertainment says it had just $79 million in cash left at December 31, after burning through $107 million over the previous three months.
Call for states to fire up new gas to avoid shortfall
Federal Labor has been urged to reverse "anti-gas policies" with structural shortfalls forecast from 2027 and Australians still under the pump on energy bills.
Property dominates wealth but stocks safer than houses
Investors might start looking outside of the property market where most of Australia's wealth is held, as returns for another sector outstrip housing.
CES 2025: tech firms promise AI robots, cars, fridges
Robots, self-driving cars and AI-powered work colleagues may not be far away, according to predictions aired at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Downturn in house values as ‘something’s got to give’
Australia's two most populous cities have signalled the beginning of a property downturn amid widening gaps between income, borrowing capacity and home values.
Early rate-cut hopes alive as core inflation eases
Hopes of a February interest rate cut have been rekindled as core inflation subsides, though the strong jobs market might prove a roadblock.
The Brutalist, Emilia Perez triumph at Golden Globes
The Brutalist and Emilia Perez have won top honours at the Golden Globes, while Australia stars missed out in Hollywood's star-studded start to awards season.
Tech fears overpower hiring woes as top business worry
Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and other technology issues are keeping business leaders up at night, with labour shortages now a lower-priority concern.
Rough road ahead despite record-breaking new car sales
Aussie motorists bought a record number of new vehicles during the year but experts warn the path ahead is rocky as momentum is already slowing.
‘Pilot’s worse nightmare’: plane aborts take-off
Pilots on a plane that aborted take-off would have been acting on the side of safety, an aviation expert says, as workers returning to work face travel chaos.
PM sharpens attack on nuclear in election-style tour
The prime minister is using a multi-state blitz to launch new offensives against the coalition's nuclear energy policy as the federal election looms.
Consumer confidence starts year with a bang
Consumer confidence has bounced higher and is expected to keep improving as rising real wages and rate cuts support household incomes.
Coalition insists nuclear plan won’t blow up economy
The federal opposition has slammed government analysis that suggests its nuclear energy calculations are based on a shrinking economy in five states.
Home building to pick up in 2025, but only modestly
Housing construction is expected to ramp up this year but labour shortages, builder insolvencies and higher global inflation pose headwinds.
Tiny Tassie town dreams big with SimCity plans
Tasmania's Fingal is proposing a world-first "town twinning" partnership with the digital game SimCity, with hopes it can revitalise the 400-strong community.
Arson? Forty Winks mattress store goes up in smoke
An early morning blaze at a mattress store has been brought under control as police and arson detectives begin investigating the suspicious fire.
PM hits the road to an election with multi-state blitz
The election year has begun with the prime minister making his first major promise as he embarks on a whirlwind cross-country crusade.
Weak start, stronger finish tipped for property in 2025
Australia's property market is entering 2025 in a downturn and while interest rate cuts should boost demand, any home price growth rebound is tipped to be mild.