Aussie shares, dollar plunge as Trump starts trade war
Billions of dollars have been wiped from the Australian share market as it plunged to its worst loss in four months and the dollar fell to a near five-year low.
Economy, Business and Finance
Big bank clips rates as RBA mulls next move
Strong retail spending figures are not expected to deter the Reserve Bank from cutting rates at its next meeting as one big bank lowers fixed-rate loans.
Beyonce wins album of year Grammy for country record
Beyonce has secured the prestigious album of the year Grammy Award for her chart-topping country album Cowboy Carter.
Aussie households forecast to weather Trump tariffs
Australia might see some fallout from Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, but local households are expected to be spared too much pain.
More than $15bn a year to save threatened species
Climate change and other threats have 16 species headed for extinction no matter how much money is spent, new research shows.
Chief scientist lights fuse on nuclear energy debate
The nation's new chief scientist is on a collision course with a possible coalition government over its contentious pre-election pledge for nuclear energy.
Belief firms in rate relief as inflation takes breather
Markets and economists widely tip a February interest rate cut after underlying inflation came in below expectations for the December quarter.
DeepSeek surge could lead to Australian AI boom: expert
The lowering of the cost of artificial intelligence, as demonstrated by DeepSeek, could see Australia play more of a role in the industry, an expert says.
Top clothing chains to close, shedding hundreds of jobs
More than 250 outlets of two leading retail chains will close, costing nearly 1000 jobs, after receivers failed to find a buyer for the stores.
Last big bank holdout against February rate cut folds
With the stars aligned for a February interest rate cut, borrowers are now concerned with how many cuts the Reserve Bank will hand down.
Record renewables share in grid as power demand climbs
Emissions fell to record lows in the three months to December as renewables notched a record share and coal's contribution dipped below half for the first time.
‘Year of the unit’: cost squeeze drives homebuyer shift
Rising unaffordability and changing lifestyles are driving an unusual turnaround in real estate dynamics as unit prices grow faster than houses in some areas.
US central bank holds interest rates steady
The US central bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged after cutting it three times in a row last year.
Apprentice incentive not enough to meet housing targets
Despite the Albanese government's well-meaning rhetoric, its policies and results reveal a failure to fix housing affordability, a housing expert says.
How horses, pumpkins and corn flakes made a bush legend
A craft competition on the back of a cereal box, a deep love of horses and a quirky pumpkin festival have shaped one woman's life of service to rural Australia.
Crucial inflation readout to determine RBA rate call
Mortgage relief could be just around the corner if predictions of a faster-than-expected fall in price growth are borne out in ABS data released on Wednesday.
Freeway cash splash as poll pitch enters the fast lane
A battleground state is being showered with hundreds of millions of dollars in poll pledges as Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton rev up unofficial campaigns.
Chalmers buoyant about 2025, ahead of inflation data
Treasurer Jim Chalmers remains confident 2025 will be better economically for Australians after struggles with the cost of living.
‘Mum guilt’: parents battle growing school costs
As Australian parents deal with the ballooning cost of school supplies amid other cost-of-living pressures, a minor party is promising relief.
Athlete villages for 2032 Games stuck on starting block
Claims of a $3 billion black hole in construction costs for villages to house athletes competing at the 2032 Olympics have been rejected by a former government.
Aussies’ mammoth Xmas shopping despite economic crunch
A new record was set for Australia Post's busiest peak period during the latest festive season with 2800 parcels delivered to households every minute.
Lift-off for new Rex sale after $50m taxpayer lifeline
Taxpayers will fork out a $50 million debt lifeline to Rex, with the federal government stepping in for a second bid to sell the embattled airline.
‘Startling’ study shows risk of online harm to children
More than one in four girls have experienced online sexual solicitation by an adult before their 18th birthday, with some being as young as 11.
Myer gets tick of approval for clothing brand merger
Myer Holdings will get much bigger on Sunday, after shareholders approved its acquisition of 719 apparel stores, including Just Jeans and Jay Jays.
‘Not enough’: PM concedes more needed to win election
Selling a vision for the future, rather than dwelling on past achievements, is the prime minister's blueprint for winning over voters to secure a second term.
Greens housing crusade fails to sway most tenant voters
Renters are more likely to support Labor or Liberal than the Greens despite the minor party running hard on issues faced by tenants, fresh polling shows.
Australia warned to get productive or be left behind
Fault lines are widening between economic performance of nations and a global body warns Australia risks being left behind if it fails to improve productivity.
Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn join Anaconda cast
Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn have joined the cast of Anaconda, currently filming in Australia with Paul Rudd and Jack Black.
A decade past its due date, the NBN promises to deliver
Removing copper connections from the National Broadband Network will come at a cost of more than $6 billion but tech experts say the move will be worth it.
Star shares hit the skids as survival odds take a blow
Shares are down seven per cent at Star after the embattled casino company warned of "material uncertainty" about its ability to continue.
Trio avoid going to jail over attempted $21m bank fraud
A group including a former senior employee have been spared time behind bars after attempting to defraud a major bank out of more than $20 million.