AUSTRALIAN businesses need to recognise the growing economic importance of women, says US sociologist Marianne Cooper.

Despite Beijing's increasingly hostile trade war, Australia sold a lot more goods to China (particularly iron ore) in December. The Australian share market begins its shortened trading week, ahead of Australia Day, with small gains.

The deputy leader of the Nationals says the party has struck a deal to allow more foreign workers into Australia to work on farms, hinting that an agriculture-specific visa could soon be announced.

NATIONAL Australia Bank is selling another £1.2 billion ($2.28 billion) in higher risk commercial real estate loans from its UK division.

AUSTRALIA’S sharemarket is on track for its biggest two-day gain in a year after a rally led by resources and financial stocks.

A grandmother had properties worth more than $2 million sold off underneath her by a relative without her knowledge, all because of a form that gave him unfettered power to do whatever he wanted with her estate.

The Department of Environment and Science said overnight on Tuesday a high-pressure pipe carrying sodium hydroxide failed, with the chemical spray released onsite and into neighbouring areas.

ONE of the Murray inquiry’s signature recommendations to improve competition has been disputed by analysts and investors.

NEW York law firms are having a field day from Australian fast-food chain Pie Face’s ill-fated push into the city.

CEO Andy Penn says he has “no plans” to sell telco’s 50 per cent stake in Foxtel.

Murray Goulburn continues to resist pressure to reverse its decision on after-tax profit distribution.

Victoria's coronavirus crisis has managed to bring the state's $800 million snow season to its knees, as two major ski fields cancel reservations and close lifts.

An 80-year-old pensioner on Queensland's Sunshine Coast lost his life savings in an online scam, which uses identities like Dick Smith and trusted brands like the ABC to promote them.

During a recession, complaining about having too much to do isn't something many people want to hear. But a new study sheds light on how, from a productivity point of view, working less can be an advantage.

Cockles — or "kuti" — have been a staple in the diet of Ngarrindjeri families for tens of thousands of years, and now they are getting involved in the business of shuffling for the in-demand mollusc.

RECALL Holdings says it will be a “missed opportunity” for Iron Mountain if the US company fails to sweeten its offer.

BHP Billiton is facing calls to drop its $14.5bn South32 spin-off because of the effect of slumping iron ore and coal prices.

LEIGHTON Holdings has wiped more than $1.5 billion worth of debt from its balance sheet in the space of a week.

AMCOM has accepted an offer to be bought out by Vocus, in a deal that values the west coast telco at $635 million.

Stocks drifted higher throughout the day on light stock-trading volume ahead of the Christmas holiday.