Untouched reefs cop record bleaching in intense heat
The longest, largest and most intense marine heatwave on record has triggered the worst coral bleaching off Australia’s western coastline, scientists say. Researchers are still assessing the full extent of…
Israel’s Gaza occupation plan spurred Australia to act
Australia’s decision to recognise Palestine has been fuelled by Israel’s plans to take over Gaza City, but advocates say the government needs to go further to prevent civilian suffering. Prime…
Productivity a tough puzzle for central bank boffins
Australian living standards will recover slower than expected, the Reserve Bank has forecast, acknowledging it has consistently been wrong about a key economic assumption. Economists at the central bank downgraded…
Cover-up claims over ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water
An expert panel’s report into contaminated drinking water has been labelled a cover-up by one community activist amid calls for broader monitoring and classification of so-called “forever chemicals”. The increased…
Unions push back on productivity plan for schools, jobs
Unions are challenging a productivity plan for the nation’s classrooms and workplaces, setting up another fault line before a much-vaunted reform roundtable. Artificial intelligence in schools would help to ease…
Delayed gratification for borrowers as RBA cuts again
Borrowers have received welcome relief from the Reserve Bank of Australia, which has delivered a widely expected interest rate cut. The central bank opted not to shock markets for a…
NBN users gorge on fibre for healthier download speeds
More Australians are ditching ageing copper internet connections for faster fibre optic technology in a move that has increased download speeds across the nation, NBN Co has revealed. More than…
Plan to seize Gaza City pushed Australia to recognition
Israel’s plan to take over Gaza City helped spur Australia’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state, the prime minister has revealed. Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed Australia would join the…
US and China extend tariff truce by 90 days to November
The United States and China have extended a tariff truce for another 90 days, staving off triple-digit duties on Chinese goods as US retailers get ready to ramp up inventories…
NBN lifted by more people shifting to fibre from copper
Broadband wholesaler NBN Co has posted a rise in annual earnings as more Australians upgraded from aging copper technology to fibre in record numbers to connect to the internet. The…