Dodgy online items in consumer watchdog’s crosshairs
Forcing giant online marketplaces like Temu and Shein to protect consumers from unsafe products is one of this year's key focuses for the consumer watchdog.
economy, business and finance
Billionaire says ‘world-class conman’ Epstein duped him
Billionaire businessman Les Wexner says he was foolish to trust "master manipulator" Jeffrey Epstein, as he denied taking part in the abuse of girls and women.
Insurer’s ‘failing’ health system warning as costs soar
Health insurer Medibank Private has lifted its interim bottom-line net profit after the number of Australians taking out policies increased.
No spirit of Australia in Qantas closures, report finds
The Flying Kangaroo has been criticised for closing three regional bases, with an inquiry finding it risks calling itself a country carrier "in name only".
Kmart, Bunnings building as Officeworks stays deskbound
Kmart and Bunnings performed strongly in the first half of 2025/26, owner Wesfarmers says, but another of its well-known chains is lagging.
Rio Tinto misses profit view on iron ore challenges
Weaker iron ore prices have dug into mining giant Rio Tinto's underlying profit, although stronger copper prices cushioned the blow.
Insurer’s shares soar to four-month high on profit rise
QBE shares have rocketed after reporting a net profit increase of 21 per cent on higher premiums and fewer disaster payouts.
Cochlear crashes in latest earnings season carnage
Hearing device manufacturer Cochlear has suffered a 19 per cent sell-off after posting weaker-than-expected half-year earnings and trimming its guidance.
Work never ends for used car giant after $120m sale
A used car startup has netted its founder a nine-figure payday after selling his business to Toyota but it won't put the handbrake on his drive.
RBA offers more rates call insight before jobs data
Critical unemployment figures will give Australia's central bank a clearer picture on whether it will deliver a second interest rate hike in as many months.
Ukraine delaying restart of oil pipeline: Slovakia
Ukraine has been accused of delaying the restart of a pipeline carrying Russian oil to eastern Europe.
Steelmaker pledges dividend bonanza, but shares drop
Weeks after rejecting a takeover bid, BlueScope Steel is promising to return more of its profit to shareholders after delivering a rise in first half earnings.
‘Stonking result’: big bank basks in best day for years
Shares in Australia's biggest bank have soared to a three-month high after it beat earnings expectations with "a really clean set of numbers".
Biotech giant’s shares dive after CEO’s shock departure
Shares in Australia's largest biopharmaceutical company have hit an eight-year low after the sudden retirement of its chief executive.
Shares in wealth manager plunge in earnings bloodbath
AMP shares have plummeted amid questions from analysts about why shareholders should watch their money being "torched" to fund the company's new digital bank.
Aussies ditch copper for fibre to boost download speeds
More Australians are upgrading their broadband connections, choosing faster plans and setting download records, NBN Co has revealed.
‘Watch this space’: Fortescue bullish on climate target
Battery-powered trains are part of Fortescue's plan to eliminate fossil fuels from its Pilbara iron ore operations as it aims to beat a decarbonisation target.
Bank business clients proving resilient, despite rates
One of the bright spots in Commonwealth Bank's interim results this week was its interactions with businesses, particularly in regional Australia.
Valentine’s warning as AI fuels ‘insidious’ love scams
Criminals are feeding Australians' social media information into AI to create targeted romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day.
‘I won’t walk away’: embattled Starmer to Westminster
A defiant UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is digging in, telling colleagues he's "won every fight I've ever been in", amid calls for him to resign.
Japanese prime minister’s party secures supermajority
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's coalition has swept to victory, handing her a mandate to cut taxes and boost the economy through spending.
Signs of softening spending could stay RBA’s rates hand
A surprise slide in consumer spending has thrown more uncertainty around the Reserve Bank's next move on interest rates.
Debt group sees upside in higher credit card balances
Debt collection business Credit Corp, which also owns lender Wallet Wizard, expects its profit to grow by up to 17 per cent as cost-of-living pressures bite.
Tech companies campaign to bring SXSW back to Australia
Brisbane might have secured the Olympic Games but a grassroots campaign is asking the state government to consider adopting another big event.
Forecasters dial up rate bets as banks prepare to hike
With the RBA showing stronger resolve to rein in inflation, banks will more likely than not be lifting home loan rates again in a few months, economists say.
Carbon credits seeding next chapter of Tiwi forestry
Tiwi Islanders are confident they've landed on the right forestry formula, one that's community-led and financially and environmentally sustainable.
Spain looking at Aussie ban on social media for kids
Spain is joining a growing number of countries, including Australia and France, which have taken or are considering restricting minors' access to social media.
China to buy more US soybeans, Trump says after Xi call
Chinese President Xi Jinping has had a phone call with US President Donald Trump, officials from both countries say.
Greens hold door open to capital gains tax reforms
Support from the Greens could hold the key to opening the door to capital gains tax changes as the government ponders reforms the opposition says it won't back.
Domestic producer worried about gas reservation policy
Australian oil and gas exploration and production company Beach Energy is concerned about the impact of a looming east coast gas reservation policy.
Glencore, Rio abandon merger talks for the third time
British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto says it has abandoned talks over a potential merger deal with rival Glencore.