Taiwan loses ally Nauru to China in post-election ploy
The Pacific island nation of Nauru is switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China, a move Tapei has slammed as a "a blatant attack on democracy".
politics
Humanitarian aid boost for Middle East unveiled
Penny Wong has pledged a further $21.5 million in humanitarian aid for the Middle East, following the first stop on her trip to the region.
MPs blamed for stoking culture war over Australia Day
Politicians are leading the public conversation on Australia Day even when their views don't always reflect their communities, an expert says.
Dallas Hayden dies months after Labor leader spouse
The wife of former governor-general Bill Hayden has died at age 87, three months after her Labor leader husband.
Pill testing might have stopped festival deaths: study
The rollout of pill-testing services has been thrown back into the spotlight after research highlighted a series of potentially preventable deaths at festivals.
consumers
economy, business and finance
electricity production and distribution
energy
environmental issue
politics
Energy upgrades to ease hard decisions for renters
Amid "horror stories" from low-income households battling rising living costs, $206m will be spent to cut energy bills and open the door to solar power.
Trump cements frontrunner status with record Iowa win
Former US president Donald Trump has posted a record win in the Republican presidential contest in Iowa as Florida governor Ron DeSantis ended a distant second.
‘Trust and transparency’ critical for growing AI sector
The federal government is considering mandatory safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in high-risk settings.
Early lead for Taiwan ruling party’s Lai in poll count
China has vowed to smash any plots for independence in Taiwan as the ruling party's candidate Lai Ching-te takes an early lead in the presidential poll count.
Taiwan voters give ruling party third presidential term
Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-te has been elected president but the party has lost its control of parliament.
Desperate boat rescue as monsoon drenches north Qld
Already saturated communities in north Queensland are expecting further heavy rain as a monsoon trough moves over the Cape York Peninsula.
PNG asks Australia for helicopter after deadly unrest
Australia's government remains in constant communication with Papua New Guinea and has received requests for assistance after deadly rioting and civil unrest.
Aldi joins Woolies in dumping Australia Day merchandise
Another supermarket chain has joined Woolworths in choosing not to sell Australia Day merchandise in a move that sparked opposition calls for a boycott.
Already soaked, Queensland braces for more wild weather
Far north Queensland is preparing for another drenching while still reeling from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper's aftermath, with relief crews on standby.
Trump, judge tangle as NY civil fraud trial nears end
Donald Trump's lawyer has made the defence's closing arguments in a trial over allegations the ex-US president exaggerated his wealth on financial statements.
Final tranche of Jeffrey Epstein documents released
Recently released documents have added few details to what was already known about Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
Road repairs on skids as rain, possible cyclone loom
More rain may jeopardise work to clear landslides in flood-hit far north Queensland, sparking fears roads may collapse with a cyclone threat looming.
Australians with disability to gain extra job support
A plan to provide support and more sustainable job opportunities for Australians with disabilities and high support needs will be released by the government.
Flood threat persists as weather forecast offers relief
The flood threat continues for some Victorian communities but there are no more major rain events forecast in coming days, as towns focus on recovery.
Women’s advocate runs for Labor in Peta Murphy’s seat
The founder of a volunteer group that supports disadvantaged women has been announced as Labor's candidate in the by-election to replace the late Peta Murphy.
PM puts supermarket giants on notice over mega profits
Big companies running supermarkets have a responsibility to customers to not price gouge, the prime minister says, as the sector faces a review.
X slammed for creating ‘perfect storm’ of online hate
Social media website X has been slammed by the eSafety Commissioner for breeding online hate since being acquired by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Wider Pacific unrest fears downplayed as riots rock PNG
Australia is monitoring unrest and violence in neighbouring Papua New Guinea with reports law and order are slowly being re-introduced in Port Moresby.
Australia turns up diplomatic heat with ceasefire call
Australia's public call for a ceasefire to end suffering in Gaza is unlikely to go further with Canberra favouring diplomatic channels to air its grievances.
Australia adds firepower to Ukraine military training
Another 90 Australian soldiers will fly to the UK as part of the latest round of efforts to train Ukraine's military in its fight against Russia's invasion.
Supermarkets told to pass on savings at the checkout
Supermarkets have been told to pass on savings as calls echo for the consumer watchdog to launch an inquiry into their behaviour.
Fewer doctors offer bulk billing as consult costs rise
Fewer GPs offer bulk billing and people are paying more out of their own pocket despite government incentives targeting child patients and pensioners.
Government quiet on dead Aussie’s Hezbollah ‘links’
Whether an Australian had illegally joined a designated terrorist group overseas could not be confirmed due to privacy reasons, the Australian government says.
Attacks over Joyce meeting an ‘absurdity’: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has hit back at criticism over a meeting with former Qantas boss Alan Joyce at Parliament House.
Gender pay gaps to be exposed at Australian companies
Employers with 100 or more staff will be forced to publish their gender pay gaps as part of a government push for improved transparency and workplace equality.
School meals on the menu to boost children’s health
A parliamentary committee wants the government to put school meals on the menu across Australia in a bid to improve the health of the nation's school children.