News

Seven passengers aboard the Artania anchored off Perth have tested positive for coronavirus, prompting WA Premier Mark McGowan to call on the navy to help get the cruise ship to leave.

Virus-ravaged travel firm Flight Centre says an initial 6,000 of its sales and support staff globally will either be stood down or made redundant in the company's latest bid to preserve a future.

Australian shares have rallied more than two per cent for a third straight day of morning gains after a massive US stimulus deal sent global markets soaring.

Funds may not insure pandemic deaths

US crude prices rose slightly overnight, bolstered by progress on the US economic stimulus package, but government data shows the coronavirus pandemic started to hurt US fuel demand last week.

Palladium prices rocketed overnight as a lockdown in major producer South Africa exacerbated supply woes, while gold inched up as markets eyed US stimulus.

Australian shares have achieved back-to-back gains for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began, rallying in the final minutes of trade on reports that US politicians have reached a deal on a massive US stimulus deal to shore up the world's biggest economy.

In a single month, the entire tourism industry has been turned on its head, with operators big and small subject to a harsh new reality.

Medical tech firm Cochlear is seeking to eliminate liquidity risk by raising $850 million as the coronavirus pandemic delays elective surgeries across a growing number of countries.

Virgin Australia has stood down about 8,000 of its 10,000 workers until at least the end of May and further slashed domestic flight capacity in the wake of the coronavirus border restrictions.

Australian shares have surged almost six per cent back to above the 5,000-point level on a wave of optimism a massive US stimulus deal will shore up the world's biggest economy.

Hotels, unions ditch rules for jobs

Oil prices rose modestly on overnight but settled off the day's highs as the coronavirus pandemic's heavy toll on demand offset hopes for a forthcoming $US2 trillion US economic relief package.

Palladium and platinum prices surged on Tuesday, with palladium on track for its biggest daily gain since 2001, as major producer South Africa was locked down due to the coronavirus, while gold soared over 5 per cent as fresh stimulus stopped liquidation among investors.

Mark McGowan says regional WA travel restrictions will soon be announced, foreshadows beach closures. Optus Stadium converted to emergency headquarters for WA police. WA's confirmed COVID-19 cases grew by 35 to 175.

Australia's share market has rallied from a near eight-year low with the US Federal Reserve taking drastic action to shore up markets and new coronavirus cases seeming to plateau in Italy.

Private schools across Western Australian have announced they will move to online teaching as the nation remains divided over whether schools should remain open during a pandemic.

Woolworths has stood down 8,000 workers following the government ban on pubs, clubs and hotels while it has also postponed the separation and spin-off of its Endeavour division until 2021.

Australia's share market has risen more than 1.5 per cent from a near eight-year low but consumer confidence has sagged as a flood of profit warnings pour in and the coronavirus spreads.

It’s going to be all Wyatt nowBen Wyatt has reversed his decision to quit politics, declaring: “I want to serve my State in its time of need.” The West

Oil prices inched higher overnight while US gasoline prices plunged more than 30 per cent to a record low as global restrictions on travel to slow the spread of coronavirus destroyed demand for fuel.

Gold prices soared more than 4 per cent overnight, shrugging off early losses after the US Federal Reserve took aggressive new steps to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, boosting investor sentiment.

WA's confirmed COVID-19 cases jumped by 20 overnight to 140. Premier Mark McGowan warned not enough people were adhering to social distancing rules. WA will go into border lockdown tomorrow while cafes, restaurants and bars were restricted to takeaway services only at 12pm today.

The Australian share market has dived to an almost eight-year low as borders close and businesses shut in efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

New research from BDO has found Australian companies are unaware of the cyber security threats they're facing, despite becoming more sophisticated in how they manage the issue more broadly.

Virgin Australia is likely to cut more domestic flights and regional airline Rex will only operate passenger services in Queensland as a virus-spooked nation bunkers down amid new travel and tradin

Talks are under way to convert the Western Australian holiday hotspot Rottnest Island into a COVID-19 quarantine zone as the state's border closure approaches and the number of confirmed cases continue to rise.

Pubs, cinemas and churches will be forced to close across Australia from noon on Monday to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Australian stocks have plunged more than 7.5 per cent as borders close and businesses shut in efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19: National lockdown looms as states close business

Wall Street has wrapped up its worst week since October 2008, with the Dow and S&P 500 sliding more than 4 per cent on Friday.

US crude tumbled 10.7 per cent on Friday and posted its biggest weekly decline since the 1991 Gulf War as the coronavirus epidemic dried up global demand and as officials in Washington said an envoy would head to Saudi Arabia to deal with fallout of a Saudi-Russia oil price war.