New rules for Australia’s 400,000 fixed term contract workers a ‘clear win’ for employees

New rules for Australia’s 400,000 fixed term contract workers a ‘clear win’ for employees

A major overhaul of the nation’s fixed-term contract rules will provide vital protection against exploitation for close to 400,000 Australian employees, experts say. Under new rules, which will apply from Wednesday, December 6, workers will be prohibited from being employed on a fixed-term contract (FTC) for more than two years. Employers will also be forbidden … Read more

Parents of children sickened by lead linked to tainted fruit pouches fear for kids’ future

Parents of children sickened by lead linked to tainted fruit pouches fear for kids’ future

When Cora Dibert went for a routine blood test in October, the toddler brought along her favorite new snack: a squeeze pouch of WanaBana cinnamon-flavored apple puree. “She sucked them dry,” recalls her 26-year-old mother, Morgan Shurtleff, of Elgin, Oklahoma. Within a week, the family got an alarming call. The test showed that the 1-year-old … Read more

Airbnb CFO to move to new role with focus on growth, Brian Chesky says

Airbnb CFO to move to new role with focus on growth, Brian Chesky says

Airbnb Chief Financial Officer Dave Stephenson will transition into a newly created chief business officer role at the company. Airbnb Chief Financial Officer Dave Stephenson, who helped guide the company through Covid-19 tumult and an initial public offering, will transition into a newly created chief business officer role, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said in a … Read more

Buffett’s Berkshire buys more Occidental in endorsement of Permian Basin-related purchase

Buffett’s Berkshire buys more Occidental in endorsement of Permian Basin-related purchase

The Occidental Petroleum Headquarters is seen on December 11, 2023 in The Woodlands, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images News | Getty Images Berkshire Hathaway has purchased more than 10 million shares of Occidental Petroleum this week worth $588 million, signaling confidence in the oil producer’s pending acquisition of CrownRock. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire now owns … Read more

Mortgage demand slips despite drop in interest rates

Mortgage demand slips despite drop in interest rates

House for sale with “For Sale” real estate sign in yard in spring or summer season. No people. Fstop123 | E+ | Getty Images Mortgage demand fell last week compared with the previous week, despite a continued drop in rates, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association‘s seasonally adjusted index.  The average contract interest rate for … Read more

Wages increase as businesses struggle in a tight labour market, ABS data shows

Wages increase as businesses struggle in a tight labour market, ABS data shows

Workers in some sectors have received one-off pay boosts as a tight labour market keeps pressure on wages. Firm growth in the wage price index is expected for the September quarter, following the 0.8 per cent quarterly increase in three months to June that was slightly below forecasts. Compared to a year earlier, the Australian … Read more

Marvel kicked out Jonathan Majors after his conviction. It’s thrown years of plans into disarray

Marvel kicked out Jonathan Majors after his conviction. It’s thrown years of plans into disarray

NEW YORK — Marvel had more riding on Jonathan Majors than perhaps any other actor. Now it’s parting ways with him, and throwing years of plans for its cinematic universe in disarray. Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Co. dropped Majors from all future projects following the actor’s conviction for assault and harassment on Monday, … Read more

Cadillac reveals three-row Vistiq to round out electric SUV lineup

Cadillac reveals three-row Vistiq to round out electric SUV lineup

The 2026 Cadillac Vistiq EV. Cadillac DETROIT — Cadillac plans to round out its upcoming lineup of all-electric SUVs with a three-row vehicle called the Vistiq, a replacement for its current gas-powered XT6. The General Motors luxury brand on Thursday released images of the Vistiq, which is expected to be its fifth EV, and slot … Read more

EU court upholds Abramovich sanctions after legal challenge

EU court upholds Abramovich sanctions after legal challenge

Abramovich, who is known to be a close contact of President Putin, was sanctioned by EU and U.K. authorities in March, causing his assets to be frozen and travel restricted. Cem Ozdel | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images A European Union court on Wednesday upheld sanctions imposed on Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich following a legal … Read more

Pro pickleball players form collective amid pay cuts, merger

Pro pickleball players form collective amid pay cuts, merger

Major League Pickleball finals at Pickle & Chill on October 16, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Emilee Chinn | Getty Images Dozens of professional pickleball players have formed a collective to voice their concerns about recent pay cuts and the future of the sport. In a letter obtained by CNBC, the collective shared their dissatisfaction with … Read more