Investors humble David Jones chairman
David Jones’ major shareholders are demanding further meetings with the board to discuss lapses in corporate governance after rejecting chairman Peter Mason’s “mea culpa” over directors’ share trading and remuneration policies.
Top-end property market shows signs of improving
Competition will be fierce at Saturday’s auction of a prestigious waterfront home in Sydney’s Mosman after more than 50 groups showed interest during marketing.
Wesfarmers calls for offshore giants to sign code
Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder has urged suppliers to demand offshore retailing giants including Aldi and Costo sign up to a landmark code of conduct struck by Coles and Woolworths on Monday.
Rio Tinto goes slow on Cape York bauxite mine
In another blow for the resources sector in Queensland, Rio Tinto has told contractors that it has put its $1.4 billion South of Embley bauxite mine on hold for 18 months.
Cask wine no longer a corker
Australian summers are suddenly uncertain. Could our cricket team actually win a test? Is climate change going to make beach trips better or worse? And could you take a cask to a barbecue without feeling like a social pariah?
Dubai damns Sunland in corruption case
A Dubai court has dismissed evidence from a top Sunland executive as “contrary to fact” after throwing out a long-running corruption case against two Australian businessmen.
Hollow case for currency play as RBA keeps up ‘jawboning’
The RBA governor’s threat of currency intervention has been dismissed by experts who say such actions usually fail, but it could be a shrewd move to remind the market that the Reserve Bank retains such powers.
‘No plans’ to increase pension age: government
The federal government has no plans to increase the pension age even after the Productivity Commission suggested it would have to be raised to at least 70 to address future demographic pressures.
Watchdog will crack down on building sites
The top federal construction watchdog, Nigel Hadgkiss, has criticised the limited powers available to him but vowed to crack down on lawlessness, intimidation and thuggery on building sites around the country.
David Murray’s task: to deal with unfinished business
Former CBA chief David Murray should have a close look at unfinished work and unintended results of the last financial services reviews before embarking on the next, according to reform-weary industry veterans.
Leaders of the pack: bank stocks worth keeping
After picking up a stellar 50 per cent total return from bank shares over the past 15 months, investors face an invidious dilemma: should they take some profits or hold their nerve?
Spies like us: revelations create tension
Tony Abbott has few friends in Indonesia as he tries to recover his Jakarta first policy from the espionage row.
Mystery of the Nazi art treasure trove
The discovery of some 1400 works of art in the Munich apartment of an 80-year-old man, son of a Jewish art dealer who may have collaborated with the Nazis, is perplexing German authorities.
Currency intervention
RBA governor Glenn Stevens declared large-scale currency intervention to be part of the central bank’s “tool kit” to boost the economy, but warned it could come at a potential cost to government revenue.
LG dishes up a SoundPlate for your TV
Got a slim TV with feeble, emaciated sound? LG’s new SoundPlate might be worth looking into. Or listening into.
Microsoft gets creative with Xbox One launch
The software giant is betting its first new video game console in eight years will help sustain its position in gaming hardware.
Empire State owners protest IPO deal
Opponents of taking New York City’s Empire State Building public asked an appeals court to declare a forced buyout illegal.
SEEK’s Bassat named EY Entrepreneur of the Year
The co-founder and chief executive of SEEK, Andrew Bassat, has won the 2013 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Google’s Schmidt predicts end of censorship
Google’s executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, has a bold prediction: censorship around the world could end in a decade, and encryption will help.
Expert tips on a DIY celebrity lifestyle
If you want to the know the secrets to living the good life, a roll-call of celebs have set up sites online to share their wisdom.
Gougeres, lamb, spiced strawberries: recipes to impress your guests
Entertaining season is upon us and Melbourne restaurant industry legend has this three-course menu to offer.
BMW i3 is no mere electric dream
The BMW i3, a most convincing everyday electric car, is a grunty passenger vehicle that jumps from 40kmh to 60kmh in no time.
Spanish vintage tops world’s best wine list
Cune Rioja Imperial Gran Reserve has been ranked as the best wine in the world by Wine Spectator magazine.
Gen Y racks up worst credit card ratings
The latest US credit survey shows Gen Y is mismanaging credit cards: paying late, using them too much, risking their financial future.
National
Rudd hands in resignation note, by-election looms
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has handed in his official resignation to speaker Bronwyn Bishop, who will now decide when a by-election in his Queensland seat of Griffith will be held.
- Rinehart boosts Lakes Oil stake after Vic gas ban
- ‘No plans’ to increase pension age: government
- Morrison refuses to confirm axing of Navy patrols
- Business must help productivity reform: Rio
- Hollow case for currency play as RBA keeps up ‘jawboning’
- David Murray: I’m the right man for the job
- Spy row spills on to Jakarta streets
- Relief sought to soothe ongoing pain for the economy
- Family courts slash expenses as $30m government cuts loom
Geared for greatness
Riding for charity is not new, but the Chain Reaction ride, a women’s only, three-day event for executives is.
Opinion
US looks to wind back monetary policy
Could it be the US Federal Reserve is getting a little desperate?
The MUA’s game of monopoly
Editorial | In any other business, the ACCC would be onto it in a flash. An organisation makes themselves the monopoly supplier at a critical bottleneck in the national economy. They use it to jack up exorbitant returns for themselves, keep out any competition, and inflict heavy costs on anyone who has to deal with them.
PM must undo the damage of the Jakarta spying
The festering deterioration in our relations with Indonesia, which Tony Abbott has correctly stated is now our most important bilateral relationship, must be reversed. It is damaging our national interest.
World
Yellen’s nomination clears key Senate hurdle
Updated | Janet Yellen has moved closer to becoming the first woman to lead the US central bank after a Senate committee approved her nomination and sent it to the full Senate for a final vote.
- JPMorgan pay seen roughly flat as settlements hit
- EU reaches outline deal on ‘dark pool’ trading
- ‘Father of the internet’ Tim Berners-Lee expects China to dismantle great firewall
- WTO set to announce global trade deal: report
- US to exit GM by year-end, sees $10bn loss
- Ulbricht, alleged Silk Road founder, loses bail bid
- UK arrests 2 for holding women slaves for 30 years
- Greek economy to contract less than expected
- US labour market firming, but inflation still benign
London calling China’s insurers
What China’s papers are saying | Many Chinese insurance companies, including China Life and Taiping Life, are looking for real estate investment opportunities in London and Europe, after Ping An Insurance spent £260 million to buy the Lloyd’s building.
Business
Wesfarmers calls for offshore giants to sign code
Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder has urged suppliers to demand offshore retailing giants including Aldi and Costo sign up to a landmark code of conduct struck by Coles and Woolworths on Monday.
- Investors humble David Jones chairman
- Dubai damns Sunland in corruption case
- Murray Goulburn plans partial public listing
- QantasLink makes cuts to capacity
- The longest day, for the longest bond
- Goodman earnings weighted to second half
- Tawana shows African iron ore dream lives on
- Devon deal underlines value of BHP’s Texas shale
- Decision on Virgin capital raising pending
GPT confident of putting together majority CPA stake
Months before initiating plans for a $3 billion takeover of the Commonwealth Property Office Fund, GPT Group chief executive Michael Cameron found himself wandering the battle-scared countryside of Normandy, France.
Technology
‘Father of the internet’ Tim Berners-Lee expects China to dismantle great firewall
China's rulers will ultimately take it upon themselves to dismantle the "great firewall" that limits its people's access to the internet because doing so will boost China's economy, the inventor of the web said.
- Apple wins $US290m from Samsung in patent retrial
- Huawei ban may put free-trade with China talks on hold
- Westfield trials digital retail screens in eBay venture
- Ulbricht, alleged Silk Road founder, loses bail bid
- Google’s Schmidt predicts end of censorship within a decade
- Zuckerberg, undocumented immigrants ‘hack’ for immigration reform
- Indonesian claims responsibility for RBA and AFP hack
- Google Wallet launches debit card with no fees
- Myer won’t sign up to Westfield’s online mall, says Brookes
Microsoft gets creative with Xbox One launch
The software giant is betting its first new video game console in eight years will help sustain its position in gaming hardware.
Markets
Leaders of the pack: bank stocks worth keeping
After picking up a stellar 50 per cent total return from bank shares over the past 15 months, investors face an invidious dilemma: should they take some profits or hold their nerve?
- Wall St drifts higher, tries for 7th week of gains
- Venture capitalist Tom Perkins warns of tech bubble
- Hollow case for currency play as RBA keeps up ‘jawboning’
- ASX ends week lower as AGMs reveal soft growth
- $A continues slide after Stevens ‘intervention’ speech
- ETF offerings widen global net
- ‘No plans’ to increase pension age: government
SEEK’s Andrew Bassat named EY Entrepreneur of the Year
The co-founder and chief executive of SEEK, Andrew Bassat, has won the 2013 EY Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Personal finance
Landlord alert on subletting: follow the fine print
Social media, soaring population growth and a shortage of affordable housing are an explosive mix for landlords attempting to keep track of who might be living in their properties.
- The road to success is more easily navigated with some driving training
- BlackRock survey makes it official: we’re real estate addicts
- ETF offerings widen global net
- BHP forecasts over 7pc China growth
- Woolworths, Lowe’s hardware losses accelerate
- David Jones faces revolt after allowing share purchases
- Future role for $1.6 trillion super in infrastructure
- Murray to lead major financial inquiry
Troubled economy will keep interest rates low in 2014
Judging by the commentary from some of the world’s leading think tanks, the Australian economy is likely to face another struggle in 2014, which will keep interest rates low – there may even be further cuts ahead.
Lifestyle
Diving for an elusive delicacy
Diving for abalone, it turns out, is not for the faint of heart. However, it can be fun and productive.
Indian wedding invitations now on tour itinerary
I was being fitted for a sherwani, the traditional Indian garment worn among Rajput aristocracy at Rajasthan weddings.
Luxuriate in the most relaxed of Kiwi lodges
Wharekauhau Lodge is a working sheep station but there’s no shortage of pampering on offer.
Gougeres, lamb, spiced strawberries: recipes to impress your guests
Entertaining season is upon us and Melbourne restaurant industry legend has this three-course menu to offer.
Latest TV
Hyperion: miners too unpredictable
Fund manager Hyperion says miners don't fit its five-year time frames because of their volatility. Joel Gray also tells reporter Bianca Hartge-Hazelman about Hyperion's collaborative style.
Coke thirsts to break beer duopoly
Coca-Cola Amatil CEO Terry Davis says the bottler is too innovative to be troubled by private labels, and is eager to become Australia's third player in beer.
John Kerry: Afghan deal agreed – but no apology
The U.S. and Afghanistan have reached a deal on the text of their security pact, but Secretary of State John Kerry emphasised there has never been any discussion about an apology.
RBA dismisses bank regulation complaints
Reserve Bank Assistant Governor Guy Debelle says banks should expect regulations to push up costs, but the impact on customers is their call.
