Wednesday, May 20, 2026
ASX 200: 8,412 +0.43% | AUD/USD: 0.638 | RBA: 4.10% | BTC: $87.2K

Europe

The European Summer Is Over: Why $3,500 Economy Fares Are Stickier Than You Think
Geopolitics

The European Summer Is Over: Why $3,500 Economy Fares Are Stickier Than You Think

Jet fuel prices have doubled in a fortnight, but the real killer for the middle-class holiday is the collapsing discretionary dollar.
5 min read 2 months ago
The Fertilizer Chokepoint: How the Strait of Hormuz Blockade Threatens Australian Grain
Geopolitics

The Fertilizer Chokepoint: How the Strait of Hormuz Blockade Threatens Australian Grain

Australia imports 85% of its fertilizer, with more than half of the nation's urea coming from countries now cut off by the Gulf conflict.
8 min read 2 months ago
NASA's Moon Rocket Finally Rolls Back to Pad for Historic April Launch
News

NASA's Moon Rocket Finally Rolls Back to Pad for Historic April Launch

After fuel leaks and helium problems forced a retreat, the Artemis II rocket is headed back to Kennedy Space Center for humanity's first crewed lunar voyage in 54 years.
8 min read 2 months ago
Meta abandons end-to-end encryption for Instagram DMs, citing low uptake
Geopolitics

Meta abandons end-to-end encryption for Instagram DMs, citing low uptake

The company will remove the privacy feature from Instagram on May 8, opening user messages to potential scanning and third-party access.
7 min read 2 months ago
Bank of England holds rates as Iran war threatens inflation target
Work

Bank of England holds rates as Iran war threatens inflation target

First unanimous MPC vote in four years signals shift from cuts to possible hikes
9 min read 2 months ago
Qatar Gas Crisis: What Soaring Prices Mean for Your Bills
Geopolitics

Qatar Gas Crisis: What Soaring Prices Mean for Your Bills

Iranian missile strikes on the world's second-largest LNG exporter will hit UK households harder than most realise. Here's why your energy bills are about to climb.
6 min read 2 months ago
Property Equity Hits Record as First-Home Buyers Face Toughest Market in 15 Years
Finance

Property Equity Hits Record as First-Home Buyers Face Toughest Market in 15 Years

97.5% of house resales turned a profit in H2 2025, with Perth and Brisbane outperforming Sydney for the first time since the mining boom. The typical household can now afford just 15% of homes for sale.
9 min read 2 months ago
British Airways Returns to Melbourne After 20 Years, Routing via Kuala Lumpur
Geopolitics

British Airways Returns to Melbourne After 20 Years, Routing via Kuala Lumpur

The carrier's new daily service from January 2027 bypasses the Middle East entirely, connecting Australia's second-largest city to London via Malaysia.
5 min read 2 months ago
Woodside Names Liz Westcott as CEO in Internal Promotion
Geopolitics

Woodside Names Liz Westcott as CEO in Internal Promotion

Former ExxonMobil and Energy Australia executive steps up from acting CEO role as company executes $17.5B Louisiana LNG expansion
5 min read 2 months ago
Governor Warns Recession Cannot Be Ruled Out
Work

Governor Warns Recession Cannot Be Ruled Out

The Reserve Bank delivers a second consecutive increase as inflation sticks at 3.8%. Treasurer Jim Chalmers dismisses recession talk while business groups warn the hike may be a 'final nail in the coffin'.
6 min read 2 months ago
Dubai airport hit by Iranian drone strike
Geopolitics

Dubai airport hit by Iranian drone strike

Smartraveller has upgraded the UAE to 'do not travel'. Australians in the Emirates are urged to leave immediately.
5 min read 2 months ago