Corporate news, markets, and the economy
Two more senior Xbox executives have announced departures from Microsoft as the gaming division undergoes significant leadership changes following Phil Spencer's retirement.
Tom Whitfield 
Two decades after Jack Dorsey's first tweet, the platform that reshaped global conversation is struggling with declining users, slipping advertisers, and a fundamentally altered identity.
Zara Mitchell 
The Bank of England held interest rates at 3.75% this week, abandoning hopes of near-term cuts as Middle East conflict pushes oil prices above $120 per barrel and threatens to reignite UK inflation.
Oliver Pemberton 
AirAsia launches daily Melbourne-Bali flights at $199, capitalising on government capacity limits that restrict major carriers. Qantas tightens lounge access to ease overcrowding.
Fatima Al-Rashid Australia's office landlords are experiencing a market split in two. While premium buildings in major CBDs are tightening, older secondary-grade stock faces years of oversupply and declining rents.
Darren Ong 
Autonomous trucking companies are moving beyond testing into commercial operations, yet the real challenge lies in proving the business model can work at scale.
Mitchell Tan 
A once-prestigious Melbourne shopping strip is experiencing decline as residents grow frustrated with rising crime and empty storefronts. Locals are pushing for action to reclaim their community.
James Callahan 
RSL clubs across Victoria are moving away from their traditional reliance on poker machine revenue, launching new community initiatives including live music, beer gardens, and family entertainment to attract younger patrons and rebuild their reputation.
Nina Papadopoulos 
The US Department of Defense alleges that Anthropic could disable or alter its Claude AI during warfighting operations. Anthropic denies the claim and argues the government is retaliating for refusing to remove ethical safeguards.
Mitchell Tan 
Higher fuel prices threaten Australia's ambitious housing target, with builders warning that energy costs on top of existing labour and material shortages could push the construction industry into crisis.
Nadia Souris 
Arizona filed criminal charges against Kalshi this week as prediction market backlash escalates, with lawmakers and regulators mounting pressure over gambling practices and dangerous market incentives.
Darren Ong 
Global energy watchdog urges Australians to work from home and reduce speed limits as dozens of petrol stations run empty. Experts warn the crisis exposes long-standing structural weaknesses.
Jake Nguyen 
The Trump phone has now missed multiple promised launch dates since June 2025. Over 590,000 customers have placed $100 deposits for a device that still lacks final certification.
Priya Narayanan 
A federal appeals court has allowed Nevada to temporarily ban prediction market platform Kalshi from offering sports contracts, escalating a growing battle over whether these platforms are financial instruments or unlicensed gambling.
Aisha Khoury 
BuzzFeed has announced three new AI-powered games through its spinoff Branch Office. The timing is telling: the move comes days after the company warned it may not survive 2026.
Tom Whitfield 
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed and Brent crude surging past $100 per barrel, global energy markets face their worst scenario since 1973. Australia's vulnerability exposes long-standing gaps in energy security policy.
Aisha Khoury 
ByteDance has confirmed the sale of Moonton, maker of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, to Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group for $6 billion in what becomes the sixth largest gaming acquisition ever.
Jake Nguyen 
Oasis Management has acquired a significant 8.86% stake in Japanese media giant Kadokawa, putting it on par with Sony as a major shareholder of the company behind Elden Ring developer FromSoftware.
Sarah Cheng 
Australians are scrapping overseas travel plans as jet fuel costs have doubled in recent weeks, forcing airlines to raise fares sharply. Qantas and Virgin Australia have already increased ticket prices amid mounting pressure on household budgets.
Sophia Vargas 
Solomon Lew's investigation into former Smiggle boss John Cheston has crossed international borders, bringing fresh allegations of misconduct including drinking and gambling at work.
Mitchell Tan