‘Best New Year’s Eve ever’ for most, but some trouble
One of the world's first celebrations of the new year reached new heights, with most enjoying their night, but some have larger troubles than just sore heads.
politics
Rate cuts on horizon in mixed 2025 for the economy
Borrowers can expect cashflow relief from interest rate cuts in 2025, yet a further deterioration in the jobs market will also start to be felt.
Loyalty penalty costing power customers, warns ACCC
Energy consumers are paying more than they should be and the consumer watchdog wants households to force providers to compete harder by shopping around.
National day of mourning declared for Jimmy Carter
US President Joe Biden has declared a national day of mourning for Jimmy Carter, whose death at 100 has sparked global tributes for his life's work.
Short trips, cheaper grub: tight budgets change travel
Australians are still travelling but patterns are changing to reflect tougher financial conditions with many taking shorter trips closer to home.
‘Domino effect’ could unlock national sex offender list
A state law could pave the way for the development of a publicly accessible national sex offender register, the parents of Daniel Morcombe say.
Party hard but party safe: Aussies set to welcome 2025
Australians are set to ring in the New Year but revellers have been urged to party with a plan to ensure a night to remember - not one to forget.
Trump loses appeal of E Jean Carroll defamation verdict
US President-elect Donald Trump has lost his appeal of the multi-million dollar E Jean Carroll defamation verdict.
New year changes to boost payments and career options
Employers who underpay staff will be committing a criminal offence in 2025, while more than a million Australians will see changes to government payments.
Latham fights for right to repeat ‘disgusting’ MP claim
A court has been asked to permanently restrain Mark Latham from again uttering a defamatory and sexually explicit remark about a political rival.
‘Whitewash’: doubt cast over fixes for ‘rotten’ CFMEU
Measures may not be strong enough to weed out construction sector criminality after revelations of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the CFMEU.
Budget blues in the most populous state as rates weigh
Government finances are wobbling in Australia's most populous state as stubbornly high interest rates weigh on home building and consumer spending.
Southern hemisphere’s biggest rodeo set to ride again
One of Australia's most famous rodeos has received a lifeline after entering voluntary administration, with a state government confident it will ride again.
‘Drugs are illegal’: premier’s warning over test trial
Drug takers are being warned they could still be arrested despite a state government waving through a pill-testing trial at music festivals over the summer.
Productivity slump worsens Australia’s deficit dilemma
Australia needs to get productivity growth back on track to pay for structural spending increases and avoid endless deficits, economists warn.
Unis split on visa go-slow to curb foreign students
International student visas for tertiary education will be prioritised for a limited number of applicants before being hit with a go-slow to tame migration.
Racism rife at universities as many fear speaking out
Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, racism against foreign students and Indigenous people feeling diminished are under the Human Rights Commission's spotlight.
Ukraine’s Zelenskiy urges EU-US unity to stop Putin
President Volodymyr Zelensky is pleading for the joint help of the EU and the US to fight Russia amid fears Donald Trump could withdraw support for Ukraine.
National first as women dominate state cabinet top jobs
Three women will headline Victoria's new cabinet in a first for Australia after Jaclyn Symes and Sonya Kilkenny were elevated to treasurer and attorney-general.
‘Unwanted milestone’: family violence sparks crime high
Police are telling families to be alert in the lead-up to Christmas for signs of domestic violence in the wake of a shocking new report.
‘Massive divide’: Liberals split on MP’s bid to rejoin
Ousted Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has declared it's "only a matter of time" before she returns to the party room after a vote split her ex-colleagues.
Release of Bali bombers ‘reopens old wounds and scars’
Paul Vanni lost six of his best mates in the devastating Bali bombing attacks and the repatriation of two people involved to Malaysia has reopened old wounds.
World famous NYE fireworks show veers off the rails
The threat of cancelling Sydney's famed New Year's Eve fireworks display due to union-led train disruptions has been dismissed as a scare campaign.
Australia boosts Solomons support as China pact stopgap
A security pact between Australia and Solomon Islands will strengthen the Pacific nation's domestic police force and reduce the need for any Chinese assistance.
Retiring backbencher gifts a lump of coal for Christmas
A retiring backbencher known for his staunch opposition of a net-zero carbon emissions target has taken a swipe at his party leader on his way out the door.
Live lobsters back on Chinese menus as relations thaw
China has notified Australia the live rock lobster trade can resume, following an earlier agreement and the lifting of final trade barriers on some abattoirs.
Train pain ahead of New Year’s Eve fireworks threat
Cancelling Australia's biggest New Year's Eve fireworks display could send businesses to the wall, but the impacts of rail network chaos are already in play.
Macron swears in angry exchange in cyclone-hit Mayotte
French President Emmanuel Macron swore during a heated exchange with angry residents in cyclone-hit Mayotte.
Canadian PM loses key ally, looks set to be booted
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership is in trouble after a key ally vowed to present a no-confidence motion.
US Congress approves bill to avert government shutdown
Facing a government shutdown, US Congress has passed a funding package while defying Donald Trump's demand to also greenlight trillions of dollars in new debt.
Bali Nine return reshines light on ending death penalty
The execution of two Australians for drug smuggling in Indonesia has refocused a spotlight on how the nation co-operates with countries using the death penalty.