- Opinion
- Chanticleer
‘Get ready for war’: Star chairman and CEO’s descent into madness
The embattled casino group told the world it was co-operating with its regulator. But behind the scenes, it was dreaming up a hare-brained scheme to sue them.
- Breaking
- Lehrmann trial
Judge finds Lehrmann raped Higgins, loses case
Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins, a Federal Court judge has found – a disastrous ending to the year-long defamation action he brought against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson.
Israel pushes Australia on Iran, says ‘extreme measures’ required
Israel is insisting Australia designates the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp a terrorist organisation, and sanctions any party that supports its proxies.
Broken Star cash machine gushed cash and exposed ‘deep cultural’ issue
For weeks, one terminal paid out millions to patrons who already cashed their wins. “Numerous failures” prevented the fraud being detected, an inquiry heard.
Student Cheng Yixuan phoned fiance minutes before Bondi stabbing
Premier Chris Minns will establish an $18 million inquiry into Joel Cauchi’s killing spree as a Chinese woman was identified as the sixth fatality in the attack.
RBA might be forced to cut rates before US Fed
Experts say the Reserve Bank is still on track to cut rates this year but sticky US inflation might force the powerful Federal Reserve to delay until at least Christmas.
Tech stocks drag ASX down; Rio Tinto rallies 4pc
Shares decline at the closing bell; fears that the Middle East conflict is about to break into region-wide war lead to choppy oil prices; Star shares fall as second public inquiry kicks off. Follow here for more.
An insightful look at the week’s biggest tech stories, deals and trends delivered free to your inbox every Tuesday.
BONDI JUNCTION ATTACKS
Police to probe if Bondi killer targeted women
Police are investigating if Joel Cauchi was targeting women when he murdered six people during a nightmarish stabbing spree in Sydney.
Details emerge about Bondi killer Joel Cauchi
Bondi killer flagged an interest in guns, frequented strip clubs and made repeated attempts to meet people in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s rampage.
How strangers frantically tried to save each other in Bondi
Onlookers recount the nightmarish scenes at a Sydney shopping centre as a man killed six people including Ashlee Good, Jade Young, Dawn Singleton and Faraz Tahir.
Cop who stopped Bondi killer praised as ‘best in this state’
The hero police officer who shot the Bondi Junction knife attacker Joel Cauchi has been praised for her courage, but it’s not the first time she’s been commended.
- Opinion
- Mental health
Drugs and mental illness a fatal mix
It is not uncommon for mental health patients to fall off the radar of authorities. But the dangers explode when sufferers come into contact with illegal drugs.
MEDIA & MARKETING
Digital publishers fear Meta is already preparing for news ban
Online publishers say they’re now considered “news media” to Meta, much to their horror; Bruce McWilliam pushes back against photo claims.
Media fury as Albanese government flirts with $400m fast food ad ban
The television industry and large advertisers have slammed a study on restricting ads for “unhealthy food”.
- Exclusive
- Media & marketing
News Corp plots major shake-up as Meta money ends, Google deal nears
News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller has proposed tightening the company into three core units, finding at least $15 million in savings.
‘Destined for greatness’: Lehrmann judge tested his arm with former PM
All eyes will be on Justice Michael Lee – arguably the best-known judge in the land – when he hands down his judgment in the Bruce Lehrmann defamation case on Monday.
The damage done to Seven West Media from cocaine and prostitute claims
Weeks of headlines haven’t dampened advertiser appetite for Seven’s footy ads, media buyers say. But that is not strictly true for its reputation and its board.
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Companies
Brokers split on Cettire despite surge in sales this year
Two of the four investment bank analysts following the luxury clothing marketplace have lowered their share price forecasts this year after an update last week.
Electricity CEO alleges board engineered share sale sacking
The head of electricity services company LPE says he was left in limbo when he told the board he needed to sell shares.
Australian coal miner to sell Russian mines, port in fire sale
Tigers Realm Coal inked the $49 million deal after the Federal Court found it had breached sanctions put in place after Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion.
Borrowers agitating for better mortgage deals are saving $2000 a year
New data shows lenders are willing to slice an existing mortgage rate by 0.46 percentage points, on average, when a customer negotiates on price.
- Analysis
- Due diligence
Why this time might be different for serial underperformer Lendlease
A demerger is often the go-to solution for companies weighed down with an underperforming division. But it might not stack up for under-pressure Lendlease.
Rio turns to Mars exploration tech in search for next big discovery
Rio Tinto has not disclosed a major mineral discovery since finding a copper-gold deposit in WA in late 2017, but is hoping to turn that around using technology from NASA.
TPG, iiNet email accounts bounce to Philippines, Norway
Users of TPG Telecom and iiNet email have to deal with a call centre and a parent company in the northern hemisphere after their accounts were handed over to The Messaging Company.
Companies in the News
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Markets
- Analysis
- Investment banking
Deutsche Bank’s Aussie problem solver on markets’ ‘pinch me’ moment
The German lender’s chief financial officer cannot quite believe how the world’s largest economies have weathered multiple shocks.
Sydney petrol hits record as traders brace for Israel retaliation
Petrol prices have steadily climbed with a higher oil price as analysts warn Brent could hit $US100 a barrel from the escalating tension in the Middle East.
- Exclusive
- Venture capital
Made in Australia ‘over-due’ as Sydney VC forms $US150m fund in Singapore
Sydney-based VC fund Investible has secured Indonesia’s biggest bank as an investor, its CEO says Australia has ground to make up on regional peers.
The biggest market risk you’re probably not thinking about
Insight Investment’s Francesca Fornasari says investors cannot ignore currency markets, especially Australians who are sending billions of dollars overseas.
How markets were looking before the ASX opening bell
The S&P/ASX 200 and the Australian dollar were poised to drop on Monday on worries that Iran’s first direct attack on Israel could trigger the regional war investors have been afraid of.
Opinion
ChatGPT essay cheats are a menace to us all
Some universities are increasing face-to-face assessments to discourage AI cheating. Academics should be encouraged to expose the problem, not deterred from fixing it.
Columnist
Bondi Junction tragedy brings out the best
The carnage at Bondi Junction Plaza may have lessons for mental health management. But it was also a violent exception that proves the rule of a harmonious society.
Editorial
Regional banks dying a slow death
The country’s smaller banks have a bleak future due to higher cost of funds, excessive capital requirements, costly technology upgrades and lack of scale. But will regulators do anything about it?
Contributor
Forget Made in Australia: we should do the things we already do well
We can’t be sure what the industries of the future will be, so it’s more prudent to compete in fields where Australia already has a good reputation.
Economist
Four ways Australia can lift investment in manufacturing
Incentives and subsidies to make things in Australia will work only if the big policy settings are right as well.
Contributor
Iran is now caught up in a mess of its own making
The Tehran regime’s use of proxy forces has left it boxed into a regional fight that it does not really want.
Corporate advisor
Politics
- Exclusive
- Federal election
No majority support for four-year federal terms: poll
More voters believe four-year terms will deliver better government, but they also like being able to change governments more often.
‘Labor taking Shoppies’ line’ to reject supermarket break-up powers
The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union, which styles itself as a “grassroots” alternative to the “Catholic, right-wing” Shoppies union, supports divestiture.
Arrests as protests over Gaza war disrupt major cities
Arrests have been made as train stations, ports and parts of Australia’s biggest cities are blockaded by widespread protests against the war in Gaza.
Labor resumes decline, marked down on key issues
The Albanese government has again lost its lead over the Coalition as voters mark it down over its handling of key issues.
Treasurer hints at investment allowance tax breaks
Jim Chalmers has flagged a type of business investment allowance to drive capital towards green energy and advanced manufacturing projects.
SPONSORED
World
Iran’s attack increases pressure on US Congress over aid
Speaker Mike Johnson has sat for two months on a $US95 billion supplemental package that would send support to US allies, and provide aid for civilians in Ukraine and Gaza.
Israel considers next move as US urges restraint
The US has highlighted its role in helping Israel thwart Iran’s aerial attack as Joe Biden convenes G7 leaders in an effort to coordinate a global rebuke of Tehran.
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Iran’s attack was massive. What will Netanyahu do next?
The Israeli prime minister may be prepared to tolerate Iran’s attack, rather than retaliate, given Israel had plenty of time to intercept almost all of them.
Israel repels Iran’s drone, missile attack
Israel vowed victory against its enemies on Sunday after thwarting Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israeli soil that threatened to push the Middle East into a regional war and upend global markets.
A look at Iran’s military capabilities as it threatens Israel
The Iranian armed forces are among the largest in the Middle East, with at least 580,000 active-duty personnel and about 200,000 trained reserves. Here’s a look at Iran’s military and its capabilities.
Property
Welcome to Sydney, where a garage can set you back $500,000
The buyer of this neighbourhood space doesn’t have an electric vehicle. But enough people already do to make it an asset worth having.
America’s most expensive housing market births an unexpected rebel
A Fox News host and adviser to ex-British prime minister David Cameron is on a mission to tame the costs that make home ownership akin to a luxury good.
- Exclusive
- Commercial real estate
Japan investment in Australian real estate hits $2b record
Japanese investors are tapping Australia’s population growth through commercial property.
Queensland’s Emerick family lists Mulgowie portfolio for $200m
The Mulgowie Farming Company, Australia’s largest grower of sweet corn and green beans, has come up for sale for the first time in its history.
Budget-conscious holidaymakers drive big rise in caravan park revenue
New figures from accountants and adviser BDO show a 12 per cent rise in the average revenue of holiday and caravan parks this summer.
Wealth
Nine of the best games to play to supercharge your investing
What if you could learn everything you need to know about investing by playing a few board games? Here are nine that will give you a head start.
- Opinion
- Investing
Where to shop for opportunities in the retail sector
Consumer spending may start to turn around from mid-year, throwing up opportunities in retail companies.
Super fund sued over customers’ unpaid penalties in ‘unique’ case
The claim that ESSSuper left customers more than $40 million out of pocket could prove a test case on how rigorously the $3.6 trillion industry is held accountable for meeting its trustee duties.
Technology
- Opinion
- Digital Life
A router that will (eventually) make your home Wi-Fi fly
Can you save money and improve download speeds, both at the same time? With WiFi 7, we think you can.
- Exclusive
- Consulting
Consulting giant builds $300m Aussie cyber group with acquisitions
Following a string of acquisitions, Fujitsu has created a 300-strong team of cyber professionals to take on IBM, Accenture and CyberCX in Australia and New Zealand.
How soon will machines outsmart us? Biggest brains in AI can’t agree
Elon Musk’s prediction that artificial intelligence will surpass human experts by 2025 sets him apart from rivals at OpenAI, Google and Meta.
Work & Careers
Male mentors drove Mostyn’s career, but she influenced them too
The next governor-general is best known as an advocate for professional women. She also had influential male mentors.
- Opinion
- AI
ChatGPT essay cheats are a menace to us all
Some universities are increasing face-to-face assessments to discourage AI cheating. Academics should be encouraged to expose the problem, not deterred from fixing it.
Life & Luxury
Middle-aged? Male? Heed the 2pc rule
Throw out your T-shirts and remember to befriend your barber. Oh, and sharpen up your image a little bit more every year past the age of 45.
Scheffler in Tiger terrain after commanding Masters win
Much more than shed his tag as a one-major wonder, Scheffler’s third victory of the year has placed him in Tiger Woods-like company.
New airline Bark bets big on $9278 flights for dogs
Pets are often flown to the wrong destinations or mishandled by airport staff. This private jet service, including “dog Champagne”, aims to solve that.
Tiger Woods melts down as Scheffler takes Masters lead
Tiger Woods shot his worst round in a major championship in the third round of the Masters, while Rory McIlroy also failed to step up at Augusta.
Aussies Davis, Smith raise hopes of elusive Masters triumph
Cam Davis has held his nerve to upstage his more-fancied Australian compatriots and surge into contention during the windswept Masters at Augusta National.