Brazil drug cartel’s corridor from Sao Paulo to Sydney
The Pacific Ocean is a favoured pipeline for a Brazilian drug cartel that's expanded globally by targeting countries like Australia where users pay top dollar.
national news
Telcos talk up 3G shut down amid ‘dire’ safety fears
Rural Australians have reported poor mobile service and new black spots after the 3G network closure, but the telcos say their coverage is steady or better.
Electric vehicle sales brake as car market slows again
Australians bought fewer new cars in January, with electric car sales more than halving despite growing price competition and new limits on vehicle emissions.
University heads grilled over anti-Semitism inaction
Vice-chancellors have defended action taken against anti-Semitism on university campuses amid concerns that Jewish students feel unsafe.
Disastrous dumped bail offences back ‘on the table’
All reforms are on the table as part of a so-called bail law review, including re-establishing offences found to disproportionately target Aboriginal people.
Stretched hospitals get $1 billion in ‘landmark’ deal
In a bid to bolster an under-pressure health system, the federal government has committed $1.7 billion in extra funding for public hospitals and services.
Co-accused flies free as alleged ‘Pam’ vandal caged
Accused of trying to make sure everybody heard about "Pam the Bird", alleged vandal Jack Gibson-Burrell has lost his bid for bail.
Weather on firefighters’ side in race to control blazes
Concerns have been raised about how health services deal with fire threats, as a cool change offered fire crews a chance to contain raging blazes.
Ukraine vows to negotiate exchange for captured Aussie
Ukraine has promised to help secure the release of Australian Oscar Jenkins, reiterating its gratitude to Australia for aiding its fight against Russia.
House prices expected to rise amid supply challenge
Housing will remain a key policy battlefield at the election with prices expected to continue increasing and efforts to boost supply lagging behind targets.
Teals bet on hung parliament to force gambling ad ban
Independent crossbenchers will leverage their votes in a minority government to force action on banning betting advertising after Labor failed to act.
Call for ‘data diplomacy’ with China after DeepSeek ban
Chinese AI platform DeepSeek has been banned from government use over security concerns, but experts say more must be done to protect Australians' information.
‘Australia is a racist country’ is impartial: ABC boss
An ABC boss has been asked why a radio host was removed for sharing a post on Gaza but high-profile news figures remained despite their polarising views.
Body found after boy swept away in fast-flowing river
Drones, sniffer dogs and boats have been used to find the body of a 16-year-old boy, who disappeared after getting washed away while swimming with friends.
business (general)
computing and information technology
economy (general)
employee
employer
internet
research
science and technology
software
survey
technology (general)
AI angst – workers fear bosses will prioritise profit
Australian workers are reluctant to embrace artificial intelligence, with fewer than one in three believing it will have a positive impact.
Hate speech laws go to vote as anti-Semitism denounced
Hate will be stopped at its source if tougher amendments are made to proposed laws to crackdown on the rise of anti-Semitism, an advocate says.
States warned to tighten spending or pay more to borrow
States' "lax financial discipline" has earned a rebuke from a credit ratings giant, which says they are at risk of paying higher interest bills to service debt.
Under-pressure government slammed for bail laws review
Another overhaul of bail laws is on the cards, as a state government is accused of buckling to scare-mongering amid rising youth crime.
Australian shares give up gains as Trump tariffs start
The ASX200 had been up by as much as 0.8 per cent in early trading but closed slightly lower as US President Donald Trump's levies begin on China.
Musk-like efficiency role ‘strange’ call for Australia
Australia must cut red tape and reform its tax system to boost productivity and safeguard against a looming trade war, the Business Council says.
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.
A country practice luring health workers to the bush
Healthcare workers getting a taste of life in the country are staying in the bush, as medical groups push for rural health to be a federal election priority.
Activist ‘not sorry’ on foiled Woodside protest
A climate activist involved in a foiled plan to protest at Woodside's boss's home says he didn't cross the line and protesters should pursue company bosses.
Anti-Israel ex-ABC host laments being press poster girl
An ABC radio host fired for panning Israel's actions in Gaza has discussed the emotional toll of being a poster girl for justice after she was publicly derided.
Poll still a blind date as no love lost between leaders
MPs are sharpening their pitches to the public in the lead-up to a federal election as politicians gather for the first sitting week of the year.
Fears lightning to strike twice as fire threat lingers
The danger isn't over in fire-hit areas now threatened by new lightning strikes, with emergency crews backburning as a cool change sweeps in.
diplomacy
international (foreign) trade
international relations
politics
restraint of trade
trade dispute
trade policy
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.
air pollution
auto trends
automotive equipment
energy
energy (general)
environmental issue
environmental politics
environmental pollution
pollution
renewable energy
road transport
transport
Electric kickstart: call to fund clean, greener trucks
Small transport companies need to adopt electric fleets to remain competitive, industry experts say, but many will need financial help to get there.
Kids have ‘no hope’ with tough on crime policies
Tough on crime policies do not work, a senate inquiry has been told as advocates call for oversight of state and territory youth justice legislation.
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.
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.