Big fall in tobacco sales burns wholesaler’s profits
Independent retail supplier Metcash has posted a small rise in interim profit, after a further collapse in tobacco sales. The wholesale distributor to IGA, Mitre 10, Total Tools, the Bottle-O,…
Arms producers increase revenue to record $1 trillion
Stoked by the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the revenues of the 100 largest arms makers grew to a record $US679 billion ($A1 trillion) last year. The 5.9 per cent…
Renewable energy hits half the grid as Coalition scaremongering hits overdrive
While the Coalition and Murdoch media ramp up their campaign against renewable energy, renewables set yet another record – more than half the grid for the first time. What’s the…
From Tampa to Nauru. Billion-dollar refugee deal to be scrutinised at last.
Following last week’s revelations about the “Nauru deal”, the Senate voted in favour of a full inquiry into the Government’s “Offshore processing and resettlement arrangements.” Janet Pelly reports on what…
Trump, Xi talk on phone about trade, Taiwan and Ukraine
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have spoken by phone to discuss trade, Taiwan and Ukraine, according to the White House and Chinese officials, nearly a month…
Labor path to pass nature laws in last week narrows
Labor is facing an uphill battle as it tries to strike a deal in the Senate to pass major environmental law reforms. Resistance from the Greens and the coalition suggests…
Dire housing affordability widening the wealth divide
Housing affordability has sunk to record lows, exacerbating the divide between Australia’s haves and have nots. Since March 2020, home values have climbed by 47.3 per cent, lifting the median…
Japan wages push bolsters case for rate hike
Early signs on Japan’s annual wage negotiations for next year point to another round of solid pay hikes despite profit pressure from US tariffs, bolstering the case for the Bank…
From ‘net zero’ to ‘net gain’. The platypus-to-possum exchange rate
Following the Libs ‘Net Zero’ battle, ‘Net Gain’ will be the focus this week as Murray Watt struggles to get changes to environmental laws passed. Rex Patrick reports. One of…
Former UK PM David Cameron’s reveals cancer diagnosis
Former British prime minister David Cameron has revealed he had prostate cancer. His diagnosis has motivated him to speak out in favour of a targeted screening program for the UK’s…