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Australia's banking royal commission ended in 2019 with a promise it would signal a turning point.

The inquiry exposed widespread misconduct. The message from regulators was clear, the culture had to change. 

But, has it?

For those living in the regions and wanting to fly they need to have deep pockets.

A scathing interim report from the Productivity Commission has revealed regional flights were 173 per cent more expensive than major city routes - during the in the two years to 2025.

It comes as Qantas has announced 850 jobs to be outsourced and regional routes being axed.

So what does it mean for those living in the regions?

The Finnish Embassy in Canberra was temporarily closed for one day this week for a planning day.

When they announced it on their social media, it went surprisingly viral, with lots of people expressing their disappointment.

So what were the posts and why did they go so nuts?

With the US tightening its approach to AI infrastructure, Australia's regulatory environment is making it an increasingly attractive destination for projects like this one.

A proposal to build a massive data centre in WA's Kimberley region is drawing concern from local environmentalists over its potential impact on the area's water and landscape.

The key sticking point is gas, specifically where it would come from and whether fracking could ever be part of the picture.

It's been just over a week since the midterm elections delivered a political shock in the US, handing control of Congress to the Democrats.

But as Australians continue to pay high prices at the pump, it's left many wondering can this new Congress pressure President Donald Trump into ending the war in the Middle East?

Experts say while the Democrats have a few tools at their disposal, it all boils down to the political pain the president can withstand.

Home loan approvals have hit a record low, and at the same time the big banks are reporting more customers falling months behind on their repayments.

Whether the drop in approvals is a warning sign or a welcome shift toward first home buyers depends on who you ask.

Bank executives are also facing a parliamentary inquiry, where the pressure on struggling mortgage holders is expected to be a key focus.

David Jones is in receivership, with half of its 38 stores set to close by the end of the year and thousands of jobs potentially at risk.

Suppliers are also now scrambling to prove their debts as creditors, with some owed hundreds of thousands of dollars and uncertain whether they'll see any of it back.

Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has cancelled some media interviews about his newly released autobiography after being grilled over some of his claims on the ABC's 7.30 program.

In his book, Khawaja maintains the whole Australian Test team knew sandpaper was being used to affect the ball, but fast bowler Mitchell Starc has again denied he knew anything about the scandal.

Cricket Australia is refusing to reopen its investigation, so will the pressure on Pat Cummins and other 2018 players to respond keep building?

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has avoided impeachment for now, after Republicans used their majority in the House of Representatives to refer the charges back to a committee.

The effort was launched by fellow Republican Thomas Massie, who accused the Pentagon chief of violating the Constitution by going to war with Iran without congressional approval.

Democrats will control both chambers from January and have signalled they will revive the push, though the Senate would need a two-thirds majority to remove him.

Gold's been a safe-haven investment for centuries, but a newer digital version is gaining popularity, especially with younger investors.

Digital gold lets you own a share of real bullion without having to store it yourself, and it's cheaper and easier to trade than the physical kind.

But there are tradeoffs to consider before investors buy in.