Australian Steelmakers Seek Interest Rate Cuts
Australian steelmakers are seeking a reduction of interest rates and warned that if the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) would continue with the current trend, the long-term future of the steel manufacturing industry in the country would be at risk.
Obama to Visit Australia in Mid-November
U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Australia on November 16 and 17, the White House announced on Tuesday.
ACCC Scrutinizes Coles, Woolsworth on Attempts to Buy Other Independent Grocers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said on Monday that it would observe closely the moves of supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, particularly if the two would try to purchase Franklins or other independent grocers.
Japanese Minister Quits Just 8 Days on the Job
New Japanese Industry Minister Yoshio Huchiro resigned on Saturday after only eight days on the job . He quit because of a controversial remark that he mde regading the areas near the Fukushina Daiichi nuclear plant, which he referred to as ghost town
Billionaire’s Former Mistress Claims Pratt Encourage Her to Continue Affair With Bodyguard
The former mistress of the late Australian billionaire Richard Pratt claimed on Monday that her lover asked her to continue her relationship with his bodyguard even if the former military man was abusive.
Australian Senator Denies Intent to Shoplift Grocery
Australian Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher denied on Monday on the resumption of her court testimony that she had intent to shoplift $92.92 worth of food items from an Adelaide grocery on Dec. 15, 2011.
Russian President Orders Closure of Airline Involved with NHL Players' Death
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered on Sunday the closure of the Yakolev-42 chartered plane that crashed Wednesday that caused the death of 43 people, including almost all of the country's national hockey team members, AFP reports.
Australia's Bank Deposit Guarantee Goes Down to $250,000 in February 2012
The $1 million cap on government bank deposit guarantee will not lapse in October 2011 as initially planned, but a new permanent ceiling will take effect in February 2012. The new cap will be down to $250,000 per person.
BHP Billiton Coal Miners on Strike Again
A strike contagion is apparently spreading in Australia's labor sector. Days after thousands of public workers in New South Wales walked off their job over a state pay cap, coal miners of BHP Billiton resumed their job walk off on Saturday over pay and work condition disputes with management.
Poll Says Labor Will Win If Rudd Returns as Party Leader
Support for incumbent Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is at a record low, according to a survey by Fairfax/Nielsen released Monday. But the Australian Labor Party still has hopes of winning if it brings back Kevin Rudd.
Sen. Mary Jo Fisher Says She Took Groceries, Blames Depression
South Australian Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher admitted on Friday in her trial in Adelaide that she unintentionally took groceries as part of her depression which caused her to lose control and plunge into depths of despair.
Rio Tinto Gets New Water Deal in Pilbara for $292 M
Australian mining giant Rio Tinto got a new water deal in Pilbara. The company, which announced the deal Friday, secured the agreement in exchange for surrendering its entitlement from the Millstone aquifer.
Aboriginal Clans to Spare Dugong from Hunt for Next 5 Years
The dugong will be spared by four Australian clans from their hunt for the next five years. The four traditional owner groups promised to temporarily stop the hunt after negotiations with the Queensland government.
Australian Regulator Warns Telcos to Shape Up or be Fined
The Australian Communications and Media Authority issued a warning Friday to all telecommunications companies in the country to improve their service or risk facing more regulations and fines.
Bushfire Alert for Pippingarra Residents
The Fire and Emergency Service Authorities (FESA) reissued on Friday a bushfire alert for residents of Pippingarra in Port Hedland. Reports said the blaze that is razing between Marble Bar Road and Beebingara Creek has become out of control and unpredictable.
NSW Premier O’Farrel Allows Pay for Some Striking Public Sector Workers
New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell criticised on Friday that some public workers - who are at the same time parents and joined the massive Thursday strike against the state's pay policy - would get paid while off their jobs.
Fired Yahoo CEO Wants to Keep Board Seat
The fight is not yet over for recently fired Yahoo Chief Executive Officer Carol Bartz. Ms Bartz said she wants to keep her board seat on the tech firm, but a Yahoo statement said she could not keep the seat.
Brisbane Police Continues Probe on Motive for Sidonie’s Murder
Despite spending the whole day in the Thompson residence, Brisbane police had not uncovered yet any motive or evidence to explain the murder of 14-year-old Sidonie Thompson, suspected to have been done by her own mother.
Meteor Showers Source of Earth’s Precious Metals
A study by researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom theorises that a meteor shower 3.9 million years ago was the source of previous metals on the planet Earth.
More Australian States Join Action to Prevent Spread of Bird Virus
The agriculture departments of four states in Australia are jointly taking action to prevent the further spread of the deadly avian paramyxovirus.
Australia's Unemployment Rate Jumps to 5.3% in August
The unemployment rate in Australia went up to 5.3 per cent in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Thursday. The number of employed people declined 9,700 to 11.433 million in August.
Sydney Public Sector Workers Strike Over NSW Wages Policy
Thousands of public workers in Sydney walked off their jobs on Thursday to protest the New South Wales government's wages policy.
Rio Tinto Lashes on Government for Not Delivering on Carbon Tax Promise
Rio Tinto criticized on Thursday the Australian government for its failure to deliver on carbon tax promises, which the Labour government agreed on with industry leaders.
Chartered Russian Plane Crashes, Kills Several NHL Players
A chartered Russian plane carrying Russia's major league ice hockey team crashed near the city of Yaroslavi after it took off on Wednesday. The aviation accident caused the death of 43 passengers, including some National Hockey League players.
U.S. Slides Down to 5th Place in Global Competitiveness Survey
Switzerland retained for the third consecutive year its top ranking in the World Economic Forum (WEF) yearly global competitiveness survey.
Mother Who Committed Bridge Suicide Likely the Killer of Teenager
The Brisbane police theory that the fatal axing of a teenage girl in Paddington on Wednesday and the bridge suicide of a woman from Story Bridge are linked appears to be correct.
Philippine Town Suspends Public Viewing to Allow Captured Croc Rest
The local and international attention that "Lolong" got after it was captured last week stressed the 21-foot crocodile that Bunawan town officials suspended on Wednesday public viewing to allow the now famous reptile some rest.
Australian Dairy Producers to Benefit from Bega's Supply Agreement with Coles
Australian manufacturer Bega Cheese announced on Wednesday that it inked a five-year agreement with supermarket Chain Coles to sell its cheese products.
Brisbane Police Link Schoolgirl’s Death to Mother’s Bridge Suicide
Brisbane police linked the fatal stabbing of a schoolgirl to the death of her mother, who committed bridge suicide on Wednesday.
Google, Facebook's Dominance Blamed for Yahoo CEO's Firing
Yahoo Chief Executive Carol Bartz was fired on Tuesday by the technology company's board of directors. The 62-year-old Bartz was informed of her removal only by phone.
