If tech's Big Five were a nation, they'd now be bigger than Britain

• ANALYSIS

Having added more than $US500 billion to their share prices this year, the five companies' combined market value would rank as the world's fifth-largest economy. And they keep growing.

When your home is a castle

Want to have your personal fortress? Interest in castles has grown amid of the popularity of books and shows like "Downton Abbey," "Game of Thrones" and the Harry Potter series.

Spotify cuts out banks on way to Wall Street

The music streaming service will be the first major company to carry out a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange, cutting out banks and brokers in a move that could change the way companies sell shares.

The shocking reason budgets are soft on drinkers

• COMMENT

Tobacco hurts men, alcohol hurts women. Surely that can't be why we're soft on drinkers?

'Mindblowing': NSW EPA probes coal-fired power plants over pollution

The NSW environment watchdog is investigating whether the state's coal-fired power stations have under-reported pollution.

Jetstar passengers hot under collar after meltdown in Thailand

A fresh failure for the budget airline notorious for delays.

Brisbane shelf-stacker has legal win against might of Coles, SDA

A Brisbane night-fill worker has won an important legal battle in a massive underpayment case against the combined might of Coles and one of the largest trade unions in Australia.

Neil Perry restaurant under fire for racist slur

A hospitality worker has been sacked after using a racial slur on a receipt.

'No joy': Seek boss rues draining newspapers' rivers of gold

When Andrew Bassat started online job-search site Seek, he knew that damming the rivers of gold would eventually impact newspapers' unprofitable, but invaluable, side product - journalism. "It is not an outcome that we are happy about," he says.

Kochie's Australian rules play for Chinese fans

Looping a team scarf around Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's neck could portend one of AFL's biggest coups. At least that's what Port Adelaide chair David Koch is hoping.

Historic building to be demolished to make way for hotel

Another portion of Melbourne's former industrial heritage is set to be demolished to make way for a 32-storey hotel.

Maxed out: should CEO salaries be capped?

• COMMENT

Maybe it is time to impose a maximum limit on chief executive pay.

US dollar, stocks slip on data

Tepid data on retail sales and inflation in the US rekindled concern that growth won't accelerate to forecast levels.

China iron ore falls for 7th week in 8

Chinese iron ore futures dropped to near four-month lows on Friday and posted their seventh weekly loss out of eight.

PBOC seeks stable liquidity

China's central bank said it will maintain a prudent and neutral monetary policy and keep liquidity basically stable.

Banks and government go to war, and shareholders are the losers

• IN DEPTH

The big banks appear to be on a hiding to nothing in their fight against the new $6.2b tax.

Win for diversity: 'Davos' of women comes to Australia

• EXCLUSIVE

Sydney has won a global bid to host the 'Davos of women' after it was backed by leading business and political leaders.

'Davos' of women comes to Sydney

Sydney has won a global bid to host the 'Davos of women' after it was backed by leading business and political leaders. Video provided.

You can't outsource motherhood, but you can share the load

Mother's Day is a time to reflect on the unpaid contribution of mothers and grandmothers to families and communities.

Mother's Day: from $400 ironing boards in 1961 to $100 facials today

Sydneysiders will spend an average of $55 a head dining out to celebrate Mother's Day.

Labor would force ATO to give details of deals it cuts with big business

Labor would require ATO to reveal details of companies the Tax Office cuts deals with as part of plan to recoup $5.4 billion from multinationals.

BP's bid to dump Virgin frequent flyer deal delayed

The court battle between petrol giant and Australia's No. 2 airline is set down for September, many months after BP wanted their agreement killed.

Bank tax sets terrible precedent: Westpac chairman Maxsted

Westpac chairman Lindsay Maxsted warns the government is setting a "terrible precedent" by imposing higher taxes on the country's largest banks simply because they can afford to pay.

Will Scomo's big budget give a big economic push?

• COMMENT

Will Scott Morrison's big spending, big taxing, big borrowing budget impart a big fiscal stimulus to the economy in the coming financial year? Not so much.

Cargill sees prolonged grain glut

No end to the grains glut says Cargill

ASX loses steam as banks tank

Banks once again weighed on the ASX on Friday, but a resources recovery left the bourse steady over the week.

Locked-out workers intensify timber mill feud

The union representing 200 workers who have been shut out of an Australian timber mill is seeking to have the company stripped of its certification as an ethical producer.

A budget for voters, not the common good

• COMMENT

Unless we act seriously to preserve our threatened planet, all the budget's nuances will be meaningless.

Markets Live: Banks squash ASX

More selling in the big banks on Friday flattens the week's gains and offsets a strong performance from resources stocks.