Online ‘ghost stores’ capitalising on Christmas and Black Friday sales to lure shoppers, ACCC warns

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Australia to adopt a more assertive stance towards the world's largest fossil fuel-producing nations as it prepares to take over the presidency of the upcoming UN climate summit, COP31. Kerry's call comes amid Australia's recent decision to cede hosting rights to Turkey, a move that has sparked disappointment among Pacific island nations hoping for a co-hosting opportunity.

Australia's gender pay gap has narrowed further in 2025, with women earning on average $28,000 less than men, according to a study by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. The report highlighted that Western Australia reported the largest pay gap, while Tasmania had the smallest, indicating improvements across all states.

Australia has reported a 2.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, equating to a decrease of 9.9 million tonnes, attributed largely to increased renewable energy generation, which now accounts for over 40% of electricity production. This marks the largest annual drop in emissions outside of the Covid-19 pandemic period, according to government data.

Two teenagers in Australia have initiated a legal challenge against the country's new law that bans social media access for individuals under the age of 16. This law, aimed at protecting minors from online risks, is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, and includes major platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.

A group of teenagers in Australia has initiated a High Court challenge against a new law that prohibits individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. The law, aimed at protecting minors from online risks, is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, and has sparked significant debate regarding its constitutionality.

Nauru's President David Adeang has been accused in the Senate of corruptly siphoning off millions of Australian taxpayer dollars intended for the island's offshore processing regime. This allegation raises serious questions about the integrity of the funding agreements between Australia and Nauru, particularly a $2.5 billion deportation deal signed by the Albanese government despite prior knowledge of Adeang's alleged corruption.

A recent study by the Australian National University revealed that Peter Dutton's unpopularity has reached unprecedented levels, with voters citing a lack of inspiration and compassion as key deficiencies in his leadership. Additionally, the study indicated that voters trust the Labor party more than the Coalition to manage the economy effectively.

A recent Guardian Essential poll indicates that only 25% of older Australians believe climate change can be prevented, reflecting a significant decline in the perception of human responsibility for climate issues since March. This survey, which included 1,020 participants, highlights a growing sense of despair regarding climate action among older demographics compared to younger Australians.