CNN streaming service shuts after a month
NEW YORK CITY, AP – CNN’s brand-new streaming service, CNN+, is shutting down only a month after launch. In a memo on Thursday, incoming CNN chief executive Chris Licht said the service would shut down at the end of April. CNN+ launched when its parent was still part of AT&T. It combined with Discovery earlier…
Wall St drops as Fed hints at hike path
NEW YORK CITY, RAW – Wall Street’s three main indexes have closed lower, giving up earlier gains as Federal Reserve officials including Chair Jerome Powell offered further signposting of aggressive interest rate hikes this year. A half-point interest rate increase will be “on the table” when the US central bank meets on May 3-4 to…
Australian shares climb over big miners
SYDNEY, AAP – The Australian share market has recorded a broad-based shift higher, overcoming a drag caused by some of the big mining companies grappling with labour shortages. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 23.6 points, or 0.31 per cent, to close at 7592.8 on Thursday, underpinned by strength in the energy, property, industrials, health and…
Confidence drops among small business
CANBERRA, AAP – The strong rebound in confidence among small businesses seen in late 2021 proved short-lived as the impact of the Omicron COVID-19 variant and rising costs took their toll. National Australia Bank’s small and medium enterprise business survey for the March quarter showed its confidence index dropped six points to nine index points,…
Australian shares down sharply at noon
SYDNEY, AAP – The Australian share market is down sharply midway through the session after following a negative lead from Wall Street amid signs the cost of capital will rise sharply. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was saturated with red at noon on Friday, falling 129.6 points, or 1.71 per cent, to 7463.2. Miners drove the…
Labor slams coalition over aged care ‘lie’
CANBERRA, AAP – Labor has challenged the Morrison government to come clean over its stance on having 24-hour nursing staff in aged care homes, accusing it of lying. Opposition aged care services spokeswoman Clare O’Neil demanded the government clarify its policy over the royal commission recommendation, following comments made on Sky News by Social Services…
Energy standards backed to end bill shock
CANBERRA, AAP – Many Australians are racking up huge power bills in homes that are too hot during summer and freezing in winter, but that could change. The independent Climate Council is calling for a better national construction code, warning that even a short delay in strengthening energy efficiency will lock in higher power bills…
Another 100 trams to be built in Melbourne
MELBOURNE, AAP – One hundred new Melbourne trams will be built in the city’s outer southeast to replace ageing stock. Bombardier Transportation Australia – part of global manufacturing company Alstom – has won a multimillion dollar contract to build Victoria’s next generation trams, the state government announced on Thursday. The trams will be built at…
Death fears for ancient WA coral formation
BRISBANE, AAP – On Western Australia’s stunning Ningaloo coast, a coral bommie that began life 1000 years ago sits ghostly white in the green waters of Bill’s Bay. Experts aren’t 100 per cent sure but they strongly suspect the death of the colossal coral community dubbed Ayers Rock. It’s not a good sign that brownish…
Pollies urged to mind the skills gap
CANBERRA, AAP – Skills shortages are top of mind for business owners who vote as Australia’s jobless rate eyes fresh lows and vacancies go unfilled. Closed borders have added to the skills gaps that Australia faced before the pandemic, and pledges of job creation are ringing hollow across the campaign trail for many. The latest…