Latest news in Australia.

Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL) has announced an expansion of its on-market share buyback program, increasing the total value to $1.5 billion as part of its ongoing capital management strategy.

WestStar Industrial (ASX:WSI) has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, SIMPEC, has been awarded a new $11 million contract for structural, mechanical, and piping works at the Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia operations in Kwinana, Western Australia.

Mesoblast (ASX:MSB), a global leader in allogeneic cellular therapies for inflammatory diseases, reported a 60% increase in Ryoncil (remestemcel-L-rknd) sales, generating US$35.1 million in gross revenue for the December 2025 quarter.

Sprintex (ASX:SIX) has raised $3.6 million through the early exercise of options and a share placement to strengthen its balance sheet and fast-track work with Mest Water.

The Australian and New Zealand dollars slipped on Jan. 9 as investors positioned themselves ahead of the US non-farm payrolls report, the first clear economic read following the recent government shutdown.

Critical Metals Corp (NASDAQ:CRML) has approved and commenced construction of a multi-use storage and pilot-plant facility in Qaqortoq, Greenland