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Qantas, Virgin Australia Oppose Ban On Credit Card Surcharges, Citing Potential Price Hikes

Proposals to remove credit card surcharges have been met with criticism from major Australian airlines Virgin Australia and Qantas, who have warned of possible price rises for customers.

Sydney Train Strike Exposes Commuting Chaos Amid Govt Push For Return To Office
The Sydney train strike has highlighted the challenges of daily commuting, contradicting the government's push for employees to return to offices full-time.
Israeli Security Cabinet To Finalise Ceasefire Deal
Israel's security cabinet was set to meet Friday to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal that should take effect this weekend.
Oligarchs Already Own Much Of US - Can They Buy Democracy?
They increasingly own everything from access to space to how we get news on Earth and now outgoing President Joe Biden warns America's new breed of Donald Trump-allied oligarchs could gobble up US democracy itself.
Chinese Economic Growth Among Slowest In Decades
China recorded one of its slowest rates of economic growth in decades last year, data showed Friday, as leaders nervously eye a potential trade standoff with incoming US president Donald Trump.

Aid Agencies Ready Gaza Push But Warn Of Mammoth Obstacles

An Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal expected to take effect on Sunday has sparked hope for life-saving aid to reach Palestinians, but aid agencies warn of obstacles from destroyed infrastructure, massive need and collapsed law and order.

WAR IN UKRAINE

Zelensky said Moscow had fired more than 40 missiles and over 70 attack drones

Russia Strikes Ukraine Energy Sites In 'Massive' Barrage

Russia launched a wave of missiles and drones at Ukrainian energy facilities on Wednesday, intensifying a months-long bombing campaign at a precarious moment of the war for Ukraine.

Economy in Focus

Australia's Unemployment Rate Hits 4% In December, Raising Interest Rate Uncertainty
With both job creation and unemployment on the rise, Australia's labor market is facing a conundrum. It's uncertain what will happen to interest rates next month because of this unexpected mix.
Strain On Australia's Small Businesses: Cash Flow Squeeze And Survival Strategies
Can Australian Coffee Solve The Crisis Of Soaring Global Prices?

More News

Australia's Healthcare Costs Soar: Bulk Billing Drops Amid Rising GP Fees
Healthcare costs are becoming harder to bear, especially in Tasmania (AU$54.26), the ACT (AU$51.84), and NSW (AU$44.05), where out-of-pocket GP visit fees are among the highest in the country.

'Mini-Musks' Channel Tech Titan In EU Parliament

Fidias Panayiotou, a Cypriot YouTuber-turned-lawmaker who snatched his 15 minutes of fame by hugging Elon Musk, is doubtless the tech titan's biggest fan in the European Parliament -- but far from the only one.

Business

Life

China's Women E-sports Players Defy Sexism For Love Of The Game
For women e-sports players in China, mastering the game is just the first hurdle to carving out a space for themselves in the male-dominated field.
Threat To Productivity: Why Workplace Boredom Needs To Be Tackled
Japan Urges Australians To Explore Hidden Treasures Amid Tourism Boom

Technology

AFP Strikes Deal For France's Mistral AI To Use News Articles
Global news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) and French artificial intelligence company Mistral AI have signed a deal for the start-up's chatbot to use news agency reports to respond to users' requests, executives from the two organisations said Thursday.
Trial Over Apple App Store 'Surcharge' Opens In UK
PM Vows 'Pro-growth' Rules To Make Britain An 'AI Superpower'