Economy
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Gillard announces fund for workers, towns hit by closures
PM calls on Ford to contribute to $51m funds, says car manufacturing still viable in Australia.
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Chinese manufacturing contracts in May
HSBC flash China manufacturing PMI hits 7-month low on weaker domestic demand.
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IRS exec refuses to testify
Senior IRS official refuses to testify at probe into US tax agency scandal.
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Britain 'long way' from recovery: IMF
British govt urged to boost infrastructure spending to boost growth.
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Aust being sucked into currency war: OECD official
Economist calls for tighter bank rules; says Aust is paying price for Europe, US, Asian actions.
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EU targets tax-dodgers
European leaders call for less bank secrecy; talks fail to include corporate multinationals.
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Bernanke soothes stimulus fears
US Fed chair says easing stimulus could slow economic recovery.
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China, US to hold leaders' summit
Leaders to meet in California amid strained ties, trade disputes.
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Bank of Japan recommits to easing measures
Central bank continues down aggressive path at monthly policy meeting.
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GST changes up to public: Abbott
Oppn leader says coalition has no plans to change tax, will facilitate public discussion.
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Business cash flow slows: report
Dun & Bradstreet says state of late payments weighing on already struggling industries.
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Consumer sentiment tumbles in May
Westpac-MI index falls to its lowest read in 10 months, despite rate cut, driven by 'sharply negative' response to budget.
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Ireland rejects blame for Apple's low tax rate
The Irish government categorically denies that it has a special rate deal with the tech giant.
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Costello hits out at states over GST demands
Former treasurer says sates should commit to tax reform in return for revenue.
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Peabody protests tax fines
ATO claims coal giant owes $50m in taxes, millions more in fines.
The Spectators
China's great steps forward
Katie ValentineThis week China has outlined details of its first carbon trading scheme while its National Development and Reform Commission has recommended an absolute cap on emissions. The moves represent major signs of progress.
SCOREBOARD: Fed frustration
Adam Carr 13Wall Street found disappointing wording in Ben Bernanke’s testimony, but his comments didn’t change the bank’s tune on QE.
What's the range on Bernanke's binoculars?
Stephen Koukoulas 21Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress acknowledged the risk of keeping rates low for too long, but with unemployment and inflation well short of Fed targets it's still a case of 'wait and see'.
Asia's astute offshore refuelling
Mukherji & Wang - PimcoMany Asian countries are being forced into overseas acquisitions to meet their energy needs, and the transactions are proving both profitable and strategic.
The apolitical factors that tripped up Treasury
Bernard Keane & Glenn Dyer 17Martin Parkinson has provided some insight into how Treasury muffed its forecasts and cornered the treasurer, citing dollar behaviour, Asian growth mix-ups and miner optimism.
How Europe is twisting the fate of business
Jackson Hewett 9As global businesses lose confidence in Europe, the ripples are shifting requirements for Australian growth and even overhauling traditional management models.
SCOREBOARD: QE carry-on
Adam Carr 12Global stocks rallied after Fed leaders indicated US easing won't be tapered anytime soon, while commodities trended down.
Why Abenomics breaks the golden rule
David Li - Financial Times 12The falling yen underpinning Japan’s sharp stock market and exports uptick is not sustainable for the country and rubs salt into the wounds of its neighbours.