COP30 reaches compromise deal, sidesteps fossil fuels
COP30 climate talks have ended without a binding plan to phase out fossil fuels, with delegates instead backing a boost in financing for developing countries.
economy, business and finance
‘New hope’ for climate after COP summit wraps up
Environment groups are welcoming a fresh commitment to phase out fossil fuels despite what they say was an underwhelming finish to the 2025 UN climate summit.
Early Christmas for RBA with landmark inflation print
Inflation data will dominate the domestic economic dashboard, while the UK budget and New Zealand rate cuts are on the agenda abroad.
G20 summit adopts declaration despite US boycott
Leaders at the G20 summit have signed a statement strengthening their commitment to the Paris climate agreement and declaring their support for free trade.
Red tape setting back businesses billions and counting
Companies employ 52,000 dedicated workers, more than Australia's entire coal mining sector, just to comply with regulation strangling business investment.
Trump, Xi talk on phone about trade, Taiwan and Ukraine
Trade, Taiwan and Ukraine have been discussed by US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, officials say.
‘Extremely strong’: Trump praises China ties after call
Leaders of the US and China have spoken on the phone, with President Donald Trump touting relations between the nations as "extremely strong".
Christmas bookings bring good tidings for pub giant
Australians look set to open their wallets over the festive period with hospitality giant Endeavour Group projecting strong Christmas pub bookings.
RBA reveals what would rule out more interest rate cuts
Barring a material rise in unemployment or weaker-than-expected economic growth, mortgage holders can just about give up hope for any more interest rate relief.
Big bank boss takes swipe at surcharge ban consequences
As the Reserve Bank considers a ban on credit card surcharges, the head of the nation's biggest bank has warned of "wrong assumptions" about the payments.
‘Do you care?’: Coles stares down anti-salmon activists
Coles shareholders have voted down activist-backed resolutions taking aim at its sourcing of salmon after executives were peppered with questions on the issue.
Door closes on inner-city homes for young Australians
The dream of owning a freestanding house close to the city is fading, with data showing demand far outstripping supply.
Legal loopholes threaten reef, ex-Treasury boss warns
Closing well-known loopholes that allow widescale clearing of native vegetation is vital if the Great Barrier Reef is to be saved, a policy heavy-hitter warns.
Food delivery service set to cease after Menulog off
It once thrived under a "Did Somebody Say" campaign but the celebrity driven catch-cry hasn't saved food delivery service Menulog from closure.
Bounce in US travel keeps Flight Centre looking up
Middle East tensions and Trump travel wariness may have hit Flight Centre in the last financial year but signs of profit blue skies ahead are encouraging.
Rate cut hopes evaporate with healthy jobs figures
Shares have plunged and the Aussie dollar has soared after surprisingly robust jobs figures showed the economy is running near capacity.
Worker shortages dampen surge in green energy, housing
As governments ramp up their housing and energy transition projects, the nation's infrastructure pipeline is coming up against a shortfall in workers.
Locked-out owners left in dark by social media giants
Small businesses can face ruin when they're locked out of social media accounts with no explanation, with data revealing their plight is becoming more common.
The roles expected to be in hot demand from AI boom
Data engineers, cybersecurity experts and customer experience designers are in for an AI jobs boom, although firms expect to reduce headcounts as uptake grows.
Hamas reasserts Gaza control, post-war talks grind on
There are signs that Hamas is seeking to widen control over Gaza, raising doubts over whether it will cede authority as promised.
Australian economy ‘island of security’ in risky seas
A shock fall in unemployment has wrong-footed analysts and dashed hopes of further interest rate cuts as the treasurer talks up Australia's economic strength.
Lendlease has secured $3b in new construction work
Lendlease's business momentum continues to build, chief executive has told shareholders, with $3 billion in new construction projects for the slimmed-down firm.
China warns Japan against Taiwan intervention
Japan will suffer a "crushing defeat" by the Chinese military if it tries to use force to intervene over Taiwan, the country's defence ministry warns.
BHP liable for 2015 Brazil dam collapse, UK court rules
BHP can be held liable over the 2015 collapse of a dam in southeastern Brazil, London's High Court has ruled.
Greater police presence to crack down on violent crime
Police will be deployed across more of a major state train network and shopping centres in a bid to reduce the likelihood of violent crime.
Wages data could force RBA to turn page on rates cut
Unlikely to receive another rate cut in the next six months, borrowers will at least see the big four banks face parliamentary scrutiny in Canberra this week.
Qantas shares at six-month low as business travel slows
Qantas is vowing to adjust domestic capacity because there's been less demand for business flights than it had forecast.
Bank manager denied bail over $200m fraud syndicate
A senior business bank manager is behind bars accused of playing a key role in one of Australia's biggest corporate corruption cases in recent years.
Ex-ANZ execs lose bonus millions after record fine
The former boss of ANZ and three of his executives have lost multimillion-dollar bonuses as the bank grapples with the cost of serious misconduct.
Consumers feeling merry in time for a Christmas splurge
Australian consumers are the most optimistic they've been since early 2022 despite fading prospects of more interest rate cuts.
Ukraine-UK plot to steal MiG-31 jet foiled, says Russia
Ukraine and British intelligence offered Russian pilots millions of dollars to steal a jet armed with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile, Moscow says.