Insights

Australian ambassador to the US Kim Beazley scrambled in the 48 hours before the Abbott government's announcement that it had blocked Archer Daniels Midland's $3.4 billion takeover of GrainCorp.

Have you ever noticed how slim and fit our world leaders are? Our own Prime Minister has made a virtue of being fit, but he's not alone. Basketballing Barack Obama is a lanky 189 centimetres tall and just 75 kilograms, and his British counterpart, the tennis-playing David Cameron, keeps in shape these days after a bit of needling by the British press. He looks fit enough to open the bowling for England.

It's a funny thing about the awful truth: people are much more inclined to talk about it after elections than before. And it seems as though, of late, our top economists have done little but tell us our economic future is a lot more "challenging" than was contemplated during the election campaign.

Primary Health Care managing director Edmund Bateman says avoiding a recession at the time of the global financial crisis may have locked the local economy in to a drawn-out recovery as opposed to a painful, short-term hit.

The planned privatisation of Australia's biggest health insurer, Medibank Private, has progressed, with business advisers announced to recommend on sale method, timing and estimated proceeds.

Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti has demanded the government offer it the same level of support as it gives Qantas in light of suggestions it will guarantee the national carrier's debt or buy a small stake.

The struggling manufacturing sector took another hit on Friday when Rio Tinto decided to mothball alumina production at its loss-making Gove site in Arnhem Land, at an expected cost of about 1000 jobs.

Accessories retailer Oroton Group plans to take on global brands such as Burberry, Gucci and Chloe in the luxury handbag market as part of a plan to revitalise the 75-year-old label.

Canadian dairy group Saputo's takeover bid for Warrnambool Cheese & Butter has been thrown into disarray after the Takeovers Panel ordered it to stop buying shares in the Australian milk processor.

When it comes to coal seam gas, proper process and accountability are elusive at best.

The Customs Union wants to rival the EU as a market, writes Andrew Kramer.

Shares moved lower over the past week as mining, oil and gas, and resource services stocks suffered from a bleak outlook for new investment. Gains by the big four banks were not enough to lift the index.

The industry has long been dominated by goliaths and this set the scene for the Treasurer's decision, writes Brian Robins.

The Australian dollar has fallen for the sixth consecutive week as the greenback strengthens on expectations that the US Federal Reserve will wind back economic stimulus measures.

Boutique developer BPM - backed by members of Melbourne's wealthy Knowles family - is the latest builder to invest in Australia's biggest urban infill project, Fishermans Bend.

BILL FOULKES MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALLER 5-1-1932 - 25-11-2013

GEORGES LAUTNER FILM DIRECTOR 24-1-1926 - 23-11-2013