Limited NSW trains back on track
SYDNEY, AAP – NSW trains will again hit the tracks with a reduced capacity of 25 per cent as the showdown between the rail union and the government continues, leaving commuters frustrated. After nearly 48 hours of rail turmoil in Sydney, the NSW government on Tuesday afternoon backed down in its fight with the Rail,…
Wall Street slips amid Ukraine tensions
NEW YORK CITY, RAW – Wall Street’s main indexes have slipped as shares of Home Depot slumped after earnings while the prospect of harsh sanctions against Russia over its conflict with Ukraine kept investors on edge. Seven out of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors were lower, with consumer discretionary stocks leading the way with…
Oil surges, ASX slumps as Russia moves in
SYDNEY, AAP – Investors chased oil and gold stocks and sent the Australian share market lower as Russian troops entered Ukraine and put Europe on the brink of war. Brent crude on Tuesday fetched its highest price since 2014 ($US97.66) after Russia defied European and US leaders’ requests not to invade its neighbour. Energy shares…
Country kids key to success of regions
ORANGE, AAP – Working in a chocolate factory might sound like the dream job. But Junee Chocolate and Licorice Factory, near Wagga Wagga in NSW, is struggling to find enough workers in the lead up to Easter, with wait staff, a restaurant manager and a chocolatier needed. “The whole region is struggling to get workers,”…
Stocks slide as Russia moves on Ukraine
SINGAPORE, RAW – Oil jumped to a seven-year high, safe-havens rallied and US stock futures dived on Tuesday as Europe’s eastern flank stood on the brink of war after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. Brent crude futures rose 4.0 per cent to $US97.35 ($A135.37), their highest since September…
Rising petrol costs weigh on confidence
CANBERRA, AAP – Concerns about the inflation outlook is having a dampening impact on consumer confidence as petrol prices continue to scale new heights. At the same time, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned Australian businesses they shouldn’t expect too much help from the federal government when he hands down his pre-election budget on March 29….
Power play moves Aust ‘beyond the quarry’
CANBERRA, AAP – Rapidly overhauling Australia’s largest electricity generator and biggest carbon emitter will bring jobs “far and wide” in rural Victoria and NSW, the billionaire bidder for AGL Energy says. But Environment Minister Sussan Ley on Tuesday said she did not want rapid decarbonisation to be at the expense of everyday standards of living…
Coles’ half year profit slips 2.0 per cent
SYDNEY, AAP – Supermarket giant Coles has posted a 2.0 per cent drop in half year profit to $549 million, hit by higher costs due to the COVID-19 disruptions, and expenses of its transformation projects. Sales for the 27-week period to January 2 rose 1.0 per cent to $20.79 billion. Comparable sales also rose 1.0…
Trump’s Truth Social app launches
WASHINGTON, D. C., RAW – Donald Trump’s new social media venture, Truth Social, has launched in Apple’s App Store, potentially marking the former president’s return to social media after he was banned from several platforms last year. The app was available to download shortly before midnight on Sunday and was automatically downloaded to Apple Inc…
Long road ahead for tourism recovery
CANBERRA, AAP – International tourists have been welcomed back to Australia after almost two years but experts warn the tourism industry will feel the effects of the border closure for years to come. On Monday, flights of double vaccinated travellers were greeted at airports across the country by jubilant well-wishers waving Tim-Tams, jars of Vegemite…
