6+ min ago (284+ words) A changing US wine market will blow an almost $700 million hole in Penfolds owner Treasury Wine Estates" books. Australia"s biggest vintner told shareholders on Monday that it would write down the value of its Americas business by $687.4m because of a forecast 11 per cent yearly decline in future cash flows. The non-cash impairment will see all goodwill in the division being written off. TWE is also behind the 19 Crimes, Wolf Blass, Lindeman"s, Spealing Pig, Blossom Hill and Wynns labels Its share price plunged to a 10-year low in October after the company announced it was scrapping its earnings guidance and pausing a share buy-back due to an uncertain outlook in China and the US. It is still hovering at a near six-year low of $5.82. Trouble in its Americas business have been largely attributed to a distributor transition in California,…...

11+ min ago (319+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs. Predators are using smart car technology to abuse domestic violence victims, as the nation's safety commissioners warn the disturbing trend is on the rise Speaking to the ABC, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said perpetrators had found a number of ways to "misuse" technology to try control victims "We've found, over the years, that predators have countless creative ways to misuse technology, often the technologies relied on every day," she said "For instance, harassing messages, the weaponisation of banking transactions when they're making child support payments "And about three years ago, we heard from a woman whose car had a kill switch put in it by the family mechanic, who was a friend of…...

12+ min ago (26+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs....

13+ min ago (950+ words) Those who worry about how to cope with China's leadership in technology " and there are plenty of them " think hard about electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels and open-source artificial intelligence. For such people, we have some bad news. This week we report how China is rapidly pressing ahead in two other frontier technologies, autonomous vehicles and new drugs. As these industries spread around the world, they will exemplify the power of Chinese innovation. China's progress in each of these important areas has been staggering. A robotaxi revolution is gathering pace, which could reshape transport, logistics and everyday urban life. The country's autonomous taxis, constructed for a third of the cost of Waymo's in America, are racking up millions of kilometres of driving and are forging partnerships in Europe and the Middle East. In medicine, meanwhile, China has turned itself from…...

20+ min ago (293+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs. A man from a high-profile family has vehemently denied he raped a woman as he gave evidence in his own trial The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, testified before a Victorian County Court jury on Monday after pleading not guilty to two counts of rape It's alleged he digitally raped his friend's girlfriend at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024 The jury was told the woman had consensual sex with her boyfriend at the house but then he organised an Uber and left the property shortly before 2am It's alleged the accused then lied, telling the woman her boyfriend would be returning upstairs because his Uber had been cancelled…...

21+ min ago (601+ words) Seven West Media is proud to congratulate Bruce McAvaney OAM on receiving the World Athletics President's Award for his lifelong support and contributions to athletics broadcasting. Presented on Sunday night in Monaco by Sebastian Coe, the World Athletics President's Award " which was first bestowed in 2016 " is given to those who have made significant contributions to the sport and is one of the highest honours in world sport. The most recognised, respected and loved sports commentator in Australia, Bruce started his television career at 7NEWS Adelaide in 1978 and went on to present many high-profile sports throughout his career, including AFL, horse racing, motor racing, tennis, golf and Olympic and Commonwealth Games " but none is dearer to his heart than athletics. The legendary broadcaster is synonymous with major sporting events, including the AFL grand final, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open tennis, Test cricket and…...

31+ min ago (238+ words) An out-of-control bushfire is threatening homes and properties with residents warned to leave now or put their lives in danger. An Emergency Warning is in place for residents of Bluff Point, Spalding and Sunset in Geraldton, Western Australia. Residents have been told they are in danger, and need to act immediately to survive. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued an evacuation order just before 6am on Monday. Residents in Glenfield have also been told to prepare to leave. A bushfire Watch and Act is also in place for Waggrakine and Moresby, also suburbs of Geraldton. Residents there were told to evacuate on Sunday, and on Monday have been warned it is still not safe to return. "There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is burning in the area and conditions are changing," the DFES…...

44+ min ago (419+ words) Tens of thousands of poker machines will be switched off at dawn to allow problem gamblers to revive and survive. NSW is second only to Nevada, home to casino-lined Las Vegas, when it comes to the number of gaming machines with nearly 90,000 across the state. More than 670 clubs will be mandated to shut down down all poker machines between 4am and 10am each day of the week. "The six-hour shutdown is a harm minimisation measure intended to provide players with an important break in play, so patrons go home, get 'out of the zone' and reflect upon their behaviour," the government announced on Monday. A 2023 report into electronic gaming machines showed 70.5 per cent of gamblers are classified at high or moderate risk between 4am and 10am. Gaming Minister David Harris said variations to a 2001 law were not fit for purpose for pubs and clubs…...

47+ min ago (291+ words) The West Australian is a leading news source in Perth and WA. Breaking local and world news from sport and business to lifestyle and current affairs. Four men have been charged following an investigation into an alleged Sydney-based international "satanic child sex abuse material ring" As part of an investigation into the online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes, Strike Force Constantine detectives allegedly uncovered a Sydney-based pedophile network The network is alleged to possess, distribute and facilitate the material through a website administered internationally With assistance from the Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group and the Public Order and Riot Squad, six search warrants were executed in Waterloo, Ultimo and Malabar on November 27 At the Waterloo address, police arrested a 26-year-old man, who police allege played a leading role in the group Footage showed…...

50+ min ago (366+ words) Coach Joe Montemurro says his grand picture for the Matildas remains incomplete, regardless if captain Sam Kerr returns from injury against New Zealand. Montemurro's Matildas meet the New Zealanders in Adelaide on Tuesday night in their last friendly before the Asian Cup next March. Kerr missed Australia's 5-0 trouncing of the Football Ferns in Gosford last Friday night because of a calf complaint. But the brilliant striker is in the selection frame for her first home-soil game in two years after completing match-eve training. "She is in the mix," Montemurro told reporters on Monday. "She is training with us, she has been in the last two camps. Montemurro said Australia's Asian Cup preparations would be challenged when Kerr and teammates returned to their clubs after Tuesday night's friendly. "We've obviously got all the statistical data," he said. "But as far as…...