From the Newsroom – October 2017
The Age’s investigations editor Michael Bachelard shares exclusive behind-the-scenes insights on how his recent exposé into nursing homes came about.
Consumer Affairs
Women say 'no thanks' to lady-friendly Doritos
PepsiCo's chief executive has been slammed after saying Doritos is developing quieter, tidier chips for women.
Women say 'no thanks' to lady-friendly Doritos
PepsiCo's chief executive has been slammed after saying Doritos is developing quieter, tidier chips for women.
'Edgy' ClearView sold dodgy insurance to remote indigenous communities
ClearView chief executive Simon Swanson has apologised for the behaviour of some of the company's sales staff.
Bill Lewski pays zero to walk away from $190m suit, investors get zip
The battle for recompense for investors caught up in Prime Trust is over. And it's not good news.
Apple, we've reached peak smartphone. What now?
Here's the reality: More and more consumers have decided we don't need to upgrade every year. Or every other year.
Short circuit: New energy rules could lead to higher power bills
The Federal and NSW governments have banded together to help aid consumers shop around for better energy deals, but their push may actually lift power bills.
Do standing desks really help you lose weight?
They do. A new study shows you can lose up to 10 kilos—as long as you don’t sit down for four years.
Smaller electricity companies win big in Canstar ratings
Smaller electricity companies are making headway against the largest energy retailers, but the majority of Australians remain tied to the Big 3.
'What a mess': Airline accidentally offers overseas fares at 90% off
The $US540 return ticket from Atlanta to Auckland seemed too good to be true.
Why avo may be off the menu at your local cafe
Now might be a good time for millennials to quit their favourite toast topping and try saving for a house deposit instead.
Shellharbour sushi store fined $200,000 for ripping off workers
Three foreign workers were underpaid at total of $51,025 between September 2014 and July 2015.
Thousands of Australian scam victims urged to claim Western Union compensation
Up to 3,000 Australian victims of money transfer scams could be eligible for compensation, after a United States ruling involving Western Union.
'It's like putting $50,000 in your pocket': builder offers free Tesla batteries and solar panels
Homebuilder Porter Davis is offering free Tesla batteries and solar panels to new homes as part of a deal with power company Bradford Energy.
Where are they now? The fate of Toobs, Caramilk and green frogs
Nostalgia is defined as "a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past". For some, that might mean the glory days when you could tuck into Tasty Toobs, chomp on Caramilk chocolate, or gorge on green frogs.
iPhone speed or battery life? You choose, Apple says
Apple chief executive Tim Cook says you'll soon be able to make the decision between your iPhone's performance and its battery life, following controversy over the company's decision to do it for you.
Are our doctors prescribing our drugs to help us, or to help them?
Patients are rightly questioning their doctor’s motivation for prescribing certain medications.
'He doesn't want me in his country': Aussies shun Trump's America
The number of Australians wanting to travel to the US has declined in the last year since Donald Trump was elected US President.
Choice calls for mandatory safety standards for trampolines
A five-year-old boy had his finger amputated after it was trapped in a trampoline, a 10-year-old girl hurt her back on a rail while playing a jumping game called "crack the egg", and a three-year-old boy fell to the ground and fractured his leg.
Sorry, no one wants your used clothes anymore
Fast fashion is creating an environmental disaster: Between 2000 and 2015, global clothing production doubled, while demand for used clothing flooding the market is declining.
What kind of company sells a dud like this to its customers?
Reality is finally sinking in around the nation's car yards.
'I just felt ripped off' - consumer rage at junk insurance
Buying a car is an emotional time and customers report feeling pressured to buy something they didn't need.
'I just felt ripped off' - consumer rage at junk insurance
Buying a car is an emotional time and customers report feeling pressured to buy something they didn't need.
'Heartbreaking': Mountains of pineapples go to waste as cannery shuts
Do you like pina coladas? Pineapple growers in north Queensland say now is the time to consume Australian pineapples, with a huge oversupply some say is worsened by the temporary shut-down of Golden Circle's Brisbane cannery.
$15 or $100? Why school shoes cost what they do
The price you pay at the checkout may impact the price your kids feet will pay, experts say.
Nine ice-cream products recalled after metal fragments found
The ice-cream was a Golden North 2-litre Vanilla, bought in South Australia, the company said.
Your rights when a gastro outbreak ruins your cruise
Whether you are young, old, single, married or travelling with a family, cruises cater for everyone and are becoming increasingly popular.
Violet Crumble back in Australian hands after Nestle deal
A fourth-generation family owned confectionery business is bringing the iconic Violet Crumble chocolate bar back into Australian hands after striking a deal with Swiss food giant Nestlé.
The momentum builds long before the biggest month of retail sale in years
The die-hard tech fans camping out for the latest iPhone are usually a source of amusement for those passing by, but it's serious business.
Nurofen ran 'misleading and deceptive' campaign against Panadol
"Nurofen is better than paracetamol for common headaches," declared the advertisements placed in women's lifestyle magazines. The Federal Court has declared that claim to be misleading and deceptive, after two pharmaceutical giants went head-to-head in a two-year legal battle.