Australia Breaking News

Global Laser Enrichment secured preliminary approval for a comprehensive US$98.9 million incentives package.

Federal Reserve Governor Stephen Miran says the Fed can shrink its balance sheet meaningfully from current levels but cautioned the process would likely take years and require several steps. He speaks during an event at the Economic Club of Miami.

BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) announced an escalation in its program to unlock capital from its extensive 1,200-hectare surplus industrial land portfolio.

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook says the Iran war has shifted the balance of risks for now, leaving inflation as a bigger concern for policymakers than employment. She speaks during an event in New Haven, Connecticut.

Radiopharm Theranostics (ASX:RAD) has dosed the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial of RAD 402.

Firebrick Pharma (ASX:FRE) has secured its first-ever regulatory approval for Nasodine nasal spray.

Australia is bracing for an economic hit as the OECD warns of soaring inflation and critical disruptions to fertiliser supplies.

The Albanese Government has called upon the Fair Work Commission to deliver an above-inflation pay increase.

Alicia Chong Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Bloomer Tech, joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss the company's wearable Smart Bra, how the technology works, and what its data collection is used for. The clinically validated Bloomer TAG, a medical-grade smart bra with embedded textile sensors, is still in the testing phase, but is helping its users aggregate and understand their health data. Rodriguez speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.

Gold fell after US President Donald Trump sent mixed signals on whether the US and Iran could reach a deal to halt the nearly month-long war, further roiling global markets. Bullion fell as much as 3.4% Thursday, but trimmed some losses after Trump said he is extending the pause of strikes on Iran's energy sites. "Talks are ongoing," Trump posted on Truth Social, "and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well." Earlier Thursday, gold came close to a bear market defined as a 20% drop from its recent peak as the US president gave conflicting messages on a potential ceasefire. Axel Merk, President and Chief Investment Officer at Merk Investments, joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss. He speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.

US mortgage rates jumped for a fourth straight week, reaching the highest point in six months and dampening prospects for the crucial spring season as the Iran war roils markets. The average rate for 30-year, fixed loans climbed to 6.38%, the highest since September 2025 and up from 6.22% last week, according to data from Freddie Mac Thursday. At the current 30-year average, borrowers with a $1 million loan would pay about $6,242 a month, not including insurance and taxes. That is up from $5,983 in late February when rates briefly dipped below 6% right before the US-Israeli bombing campaign began. Clear Investment Group CEO Amy Rubenstein joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss, plus the state of affordable housing. She speaks with with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.

A wave of redemption requests across the private credit industry has left more than $4.6 billion of investor capital trapped behind withdrawal limits, with more asset managers expected to impose curbs in the coming weeks. Investors have looked to pull roughly $13 billion from over a dozen funds so far this quarter, according to Bloomberg estimates and data from Robert A Stanger & Co. But since the vehicles can cap withdrawals at 5% of net assets per quarter, investors have only been able to access about two-thirds of the cash they've sought, the data show. Len Tannenbaum, Founder of Tannenbaum Capital Group, joins Bloomberg Businessweek Daily to discuss redemption jitters, the evolution of private credit and the current credit cycle, and more. He speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.