US trade deficit narrows amid drop in consumer imports
The US trade deficit narrowed in June on a sharp drop in consumer goods imports, the latest evidence of the imprint on global commerce that President Donald Trump is making…
Not just about pay. Queensland teachers strike a plea for help
Queensland Teachers Union’s members go on strike today. Crushing workloads, school violence, and the teacher exodus are high on their list of grievances. Joshua Barnett with the story. When more…
Titan submersible disaster was preventable: Coast Guard
The tour operator responsible for the Titan submersible, which fatally imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, “leveraged intimidation tactics” to “evade regulatory scrutiny,” a US Coast Guard investigation report…
NZ to charge tourists for entry into national parks
New Zealand will begin charging tourists up to $NZ40 ($A37) to visit its most popular tourist destinations such as Milford Track and Mount Cook, as the government seeks ways to…
Snowtown murderer granted parole after decades in jail
The youngest of the four men convicted over South Australia’s “bodies in the barrels” serial killings has been granted parole. James Vlassakis has spent 26 years behind bars after being…
Sea of green as Aussie shares notch highest-ever close
Australia’s share market has posted its best-ever close as confidence around company earnings and future interest rate cuts washed out global growth concerns. The S&P/ASX200 surged 106.7 points higher, up…
Price floor sends rare earths shares through the roof
Rare earths miners are backing in the government’s plan to underwrite supply, as talk of a potential price floor sends stocks soaring. Setting a taxpayer-guaranteed minimum price for rare earths…
Smelter rescue bolsters nation’s critical metals future
Taxpayer rescue of two smelters avoids a “national catastrophe” but Australia must now develop a strategy to retain sovereign capability in manufacturing metals, a union urges. Smelters in Hobart and…
Households spending on non-essentials as pressures ease
Australians have been splashing out on new cars, food and electronics as price pressures ease. Household spending rose 0.5 per cent in June on top of a one per cent…
Australia to boost navy firepower with Japanese design
Australia will buy more than ten Japanese warships to prop up its navy as it enhances its combat fleet to project firepower deeper into the Pacific. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’…