![Putin bends to pressure over MH17](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/f4562ac8-10b7-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_2014-07-20T161422Z_13161439--318x212.jpg)
Putin bends to pressure over MH17
Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Prime Minister Tony Abbott and world leaders of support for an independent investigation into MH17 and help return the 298 bodies to home countries, in the first sign Mr Putin is bending to intense international pressure.
Global equities lower as uncertainty rises
![Global equities lower as uncertainty rises](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/423e9500-1058-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_bell_180x120.jpg)
Before the Bell | Major global stock markets fell and bond prices rallied as worries over conflict in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine raised uncertainty ■ Dow falls 0.4pc ■ SPI futures down 11 pts ■ $A at US93.76¢.
Budget takes $17b mining hit
The Senate’s refusal to repeal the mining tax and the spending measures associated with it will cost the budget more than $17 billion over the next four financial years, according to revised estimates.
Warburton warns Palmer over ‘crazy’ RET politics
The head of the expert panel reviewing the Renewable Energy Target, Dick Warburton, has warned Clive Palmer against blocking changes to the scheme before the 2016 election.
National Australia Bank may win big on hybrids
![National Australia Bank may win big on hybrids](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/8c99d076-1105-11e4-9949-30b4695197c6_syd-6d11608a0rce2anp3kr--90x60.jpg)
National Australia Bank may seek to profit from the rally in hybrid securities as investors pile into the sector amid record low interest rates and falling term rates.
RBS fined $1.6m for local rate rigging
Royal Bank of Scotland is the latest bank to be penalised for its role in manipulating Australia’s bank bill swap rate after copping a $1.6 million ‘enforceable undertaking’ from the corporate watchdog.
Newcrest sued over guidance
A class action has been launched against Australia’s largest gold miner Newcrest Mining over the company’s massive writedown last year, with proceedings filed in the Federal Court on behalf of investors.
NBN panel falls short of deadline
![NBN panel falls short of deadline](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/57fe8a2c-10c5-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_727696363--90x60.jpg)
The government-appointed panel tasked with reviewing the national broadband network is set to miss its July deadline, leaving crucial telecommunications company plans up in the air.
PM’s advisers doubt parental leave will help women
The Abbott government’s own independent advisory body doubts if the Prime Minister’s generous paid parental leave scheme will encourage more women to go back to work.
Banks snap up buy-side mandates for BG pipeline
Finally, something new for cashed-up infrastructure investors to dig their teeth into.
![](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/latest_news_puff.png)
![](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/most_popular_puff.png)
![](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/rear_window.png)
![](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/AFR/Web/Library/Editorial/Logos/Right column/broker_watch_puff.png)
Gyng laces up for AFL weekend bonanza
![Gyng laces up for AFL weekend bonanza](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/41b5d5ea-10b6-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_IMG_0003 (17)--90x60.jpg)
Rear Window | The next deal to broadcast AFL from 2017 and beyond just got much more interesting.
Accidental click shoppers flush with opinion
![Accidental click shoppers flush with opinion](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/f8007d3e-10c3-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_syd-5fwvpg3e4mw1hciw875g--90x60.jpg)
Recently I went online to buy my groceries and order toilet paper when, instead of clicking “add to basket”, I clicked “reviews” by mistake.
Alex Waislitz gets on his bike for charity
![Alex Waislitz gets on his bike for charity](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/90dece08-106e-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_849863622--90x60.jpg)
Billionaire investor Alex Waislitz has caught the cycling bug. It’s a trait he shares with many of his business and investment colleagues, with the sport in the midst of a boom among the corporate set.
How to upgrade your stereo with Google
![](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/a5d4c246-0fe1-11e4-8c58-0bc4b4746537_ghetto-blaster--90x60.jpg)
Peter Moon | Lots of ageing stereos are surviving in the wild – but your 1990s gear can be the life of an iTunes-era party.
Kids know ‘cute’ from age 3
![Kids know ‘cute’ from age 3](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/bb28d3a2-1069-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_syd-6dlbi1yxxxg1zwgieox-026--90x60.jpg)
Children as young as three recognise "cute" features that encourage care-giving in adults, a study has found.
Barefaced Hockey bio to raise hackles
![Barefaced Hockey bio to raise hackles](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/1881b0e2-0fec-11e4-8c58-0bc4b4746537_IMG_0002 (2)--90x60.jpg)
This won’t be a good week for Joe Hockey. The Treasurer’s biography, by Madonna King, will be launched on Thursday.
SBS’s Tour coverage hit by online piracy
![SBS’s Tour coverage hit by online piracy](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/93b36c78-0ff2-11e4-8c58-0bc4b4746537_TRDV1826399--90x60.jpg)
The broadcaster’s exclusive coverage of the Tour de France is being undermined by British coverage being live-streamed into Australia.
Sobriety coaches on the homefront
![Sobriety coaches on the homefront](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/18/Photos/510f423c-0e6e-11e4-b467-ce293316fb60_coaches--90x60.jpg)
Sobriety coaches are no longer the sole preserve of Hollywood entourages. Now, well-heeled US mothers are reaching for them.
Mercedes targets execs on LinkedIn
![Mercedes targets execs on LinkedIn](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/18/Photos/5de9e858-0e6a-11e4-b467-ce293316fb60_TRPar7641762--646x363_6_1_942039519--90x60.jpg)
LinkedIn has a new twist on native advertising, with Mercedes-Benz using the site to promote its 2015 C-Class line.
D&D played major role for writers
![D&D played major role for writers](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/18/Photos/183a760c-0e6e-11e4-b467-ce293316fb60_dun1--90x60.jpg)
The table-top fantasy game that launched a thousand authors, is having its 40th birthday.
National
PM’s advisers doubt parental leave will help women
The Abbott government’s own independent advisory body doubts if the Prime Minister’s generous paid parental leave scheme will encourage more women to go back to work.
- Budget takes $17b mining hit
- Dick Warburton warns Clive Palmer over ‘crazy’ RET politics
- Newman about-face after byelection loss
- PM makes calls to Flight 17 families
- Tech industry hits out at sluggish share scheme reform
- Former UNE chancellor in ICAC probe
- Treasury says lower $A to avoid income crunch
- Living standards will fall without productivity reform: experts
Opinion
Macquarie a prime stock for writing calls
![John Wasiliev John Wasiliev](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/SysConfig/WebPortal/afr/_files/images/columns/john_wasiliev_small.jpg)
While it can be implemented on a random or a strategic basis, a derivatives strategy for investors is writing covered call options.
How to upgrade your stereo with Google
![](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rw/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/a5d4c246-0fe1-11e4-8c58-0bc4b4746537_ghetto-blaster--90x60.jpg)
Peter Moon | Lots of ageing stereos are surviving in the wild – but your 1990s gear can be the life of an iTunes-era party.
World
Putin bends to pressure over MH17
Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Prime Minister Tony Abbott and world leaders of support for an independent investigation into MH17 and help return the 298 bodies to home countries, in the first sign Mr Putin is bending to intense international pressure.
- Africans open fuller wallets to the future
- Indonesia’s month of living dangerously
- Rupiah gains on speculation over Indonesia’s next president
- Israel may escalate action against Hamas to destroy rockets
- Upmarket rivals plug in to snare share of eco car market
- Putin must be treated as a pariah
- Hell on earth in Ukraine’s field of death
- More US firms seek offshore tax havens, lawmakers divided over solutions
- Citi puts Chinese port probe exposure at $US280m
Business
Newcrest sued over guidance
A class action has been launched against Australia’s largest gold miner Newcrest Mining over the company’s massive writedown last year, with proceedings filed in the Federal Court on behalf of investors.
- Banks’ loans to foreigners under scrutiny
- PEP bikkies bound for Asia
- Hointer brings digital shopping into the store
- Asciano talks part of bigger plan
- Rinehart’s Fairfax plans nothing but ‘speculation’
- Virus-killing condoms to hit shelves
- AFIC urges banks to hold larger capital buffers
- Brickworks chair Robert Millner sees cross-shareholding merits
- ACCC launches probe into Expedia’s Wotif bid
Technology
NBN panel falls short of deadline
![NBN panel falls short of deadline](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/21/Photos/57fe8a2c-10c5-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_727696363--90x60.jpg)
The government-appointed panel tasked with reviewing the national broadband network is set to miss its July deadline, leaving crucial telecommunications company plans up in the air.
- Tech industry hits out at sluggish share scheme reform
- 8common in ASX float, targets Asia
- Design disrupter Canva pockets $3.6m
- Cohen’s Invigor Group nears profit following acquisition
- Getting science from CSIRO isn’t just about start-ups
- ACCC launches probe into Expedia’s Wotif bid
- How to upgrade your old stereo using Google Chromecast
- Optus gets a 4G boost in Perth, Darwin
- Huawei first-half revenue jumps 19pc
Markets
Global equities lower as uncertainty rises
![Global equities lower as uncertainty rises](/web/20140721185321im_/http://www.afr.com/rf/image_lowres/2009-2014/AFR/2014/07/20/Photos/4277eef4-1058-11e4-b3cf-14c51a21d935_bell_new_secondary.jpg)
Before the Bell | Major global stock markets fell and bond prices rallied as worries over conflict in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine raised uncertainty ■ Dow falls 0.4pc ■ SPI futures down 11 pts ■ $A at US93.76¢.
- Shares ignore risks to creep to six-year high
- RBS fined $1.6m for local rate rigging
- $A eases slightly as risk fears subside
- Australia’s safe haven badge could be tested in Fed’s next move
- 8common in ASX float, targets Asia
- ASX higher with focus on banks, miners
- Rupiah gains on speculation over Indonesia’s next president
- Hedge funds cut bullish gold bets
- Telstra tops super list, warns of coming slowdown
Personal finance
Negotiating the fast-money minefield
Be very, very wary of any fast money investment scheme. It’s the old saying: “If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.” There are no easy ways to financial security.
- Best policy to keep your children covered
- How we are becoming a free agent nation
- Fund managers spill the beans on returns
- Downsizing made simple: the value of a buyers’ agent
- Beat the IPO market at its own game
- Low market volatility no reason to rest on your laurels
- Do the sums on the true cost of private schools
- What it feels like to have a private plane
Latest TV
How genuinely innovative is Australia?
The government may be proud of Australia's latest global innovation ranking, but a closer look tells an unhappier story.
Auction bidders brave the cold
The auction market put on a solid weekend performance, bucking traditional July expectations.
CPI: this week's market focus
A busy week for investors with the release of the June quarter CPI, in addition to US and Chinese data.
Too much Australian office space
There's too much empty office space around the country, particularly in Brisbane and Perth.