Popular burrito chain Guzman y Gomez has suffered a multimillion-dollar hit after its half-yearly earnings were not as strong as expected.

The Australian company released its half-yearly results today, reporting $682 million in sales and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $33 million – both significant increases from the same time last year.

However, following the results, its share price on the ASX dropped about 10 per cent. With a market capitalisation of around $2.1 billion, that represents a hit of more than $200 million.

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GYG's sales grew 18 per cent compared to the first half of the last financial year, however analysts had expected that figure to come in at 19 per cent.

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The company's share price has plummeted from around $38 a year ago to about $18 today – far lower than the $22 offered when it was first listed on the ASX in 2024.

However, Guzman y Gomez said the results were positive, pointing to growing sales and 17 new restaurants opened around the world, keeping its expansion plans on track.

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"We continue to have extremely healthy restaurant economics and share our success with our franchisees," CEO Steve Marks said.

"GYG achieved solid sales momentum and earnings growth during the half, driven by… our team's consistent execution on core strategic and operational initiatives."

The company expects to open 32 more restaurants in Australia in the current financial year.

The company has also expanded into Asia with stores in Japan and Singapore, as well as the United States, where it currently has two locations.

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One of the robbers filmed the offending on his cellphone while another jumped the counter.

Australia Post has told its posties not to wear their brand new uniform after reports workers are getting sunburnt through the polo shirts.

The Communication Workers Union reports members have questioned the SPF rating of the hi-vis polo shirts, reporting getting sunburnt while wearing the shirts, as well as tattoos and underwear being visible through the fabric.

The roll-out of the new Australia Post uniform, which includes around 80 items of clothing in total, began early this year after a trial last year.

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After discussions with the union, Australia Post has directed employees to wear "alternative options" to the shirts, including their old uniform while it ensures the new uniforms are safe.

A spokesperson for Australia Post said the fabric will now be tested for its SPF50 rating and has contacted the manufacturer for details.

"Australia Post regards the safety of our team members as our number one priority and we worked quickly to investigate concerns that have been raised regarding the new SPF50 graded polo shirts," the company said in a statement.

"Australia Post has engaged an official Australia Federal Government agency, ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Agency), to test the fabric to ensure it meets the SPF50 rating, which was part of our approved uniform design.

"Team members have been directed not to wear the shirt and Australia Post has provided a number of alternative options until the new polo shirt is deemed safe, suitable and meets our quality expectations.

"Australia Post does not expect team members to wear anything that is unsafe.

"Safety will remain our top priority as we work through this issue."

The union has encouraged employees working outdoors to wear any suitable sun-safe clothing if they no longer have their old uniforms.

"Given the seriousness of the concerns raised, we strongly recommend that members revert to wearing the old uniform wherever possible," the union said in a statement.

"If you work in an outdoor role and no longer have your old garments, we advise wearing alternative suitable sun‑safe clothing until the review is complete.

"These arrangements have been agreed to at the highest national level and a commitment has been made to ensure this outcome is also communicated across the network internally by Australia Post, as soon as possible.

"We will continue to work with Australia Post throughout both the polo‑shirt review and the broader uniform review now under way.

"Members will be updated on this matter, and our efforts regarding holding Australia Post to account for the safety of our members working in the heat, generally, as these matters progress."

Australia Post employees around 60,000 people, including approximately 10,000 posties.

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A new blood test could be able to clock when someone may begin to have symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, an American study claims.

Alzheimer's is the cause of up to 75 per cent of dementia diagnoses in Australia, with 425,000 people living with dementia in 2024. That number is expected to rise to 1 million by 2065.

Alzheimer's Research Australia says around 250 people are diagnosed with dementia everyday, and it is the second leading cause of death in the country.

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Dementia, which is incurable, costs the Australian government around $4.7 billion a year, but researchers from Washington University claim they can accurately identify when someone will begin to show symptoms of Alzheimer's, accurate to around four years.

The blood test measures the levels of a protein called p-tau217; stronger levels of this protein in someone's blood can indicate that someone has a higher chance of suffering from Alzheimer's.

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This is especially true in patients who are already suffering from some form of cognitive impairment.

Previously, brain scans or spinal fluid tests were used to measure the level of p-tau within a person, and to ultimately test for risk factors of developing Alzheimer's, but researchers believe being able to do the same thing with a blood test can help catch symptoms quicker, while being significantly cheaper.

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"In the near-term, these models will accelerate our research and clinical trials," Suzanne Schindler from Washington University said.

The study's authors shared their findings publicly in the hope it would aid other research on the disease.

"Eventually, the goal is to be able to tell individual patients when they are likely to develop symptoms, which will help them and their doctors to develop a plan to prevent or slow symptoms."

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's can include memory loss, confusion, and repetitive or vague speech

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More than five million Australians receiving social security payments, half of whom are pensioners, will receive a cash boost in a matter of weeks.

Pension, rent assistance, JobSeeker, ABSTUDY and parenting payments will increase when they are indexed to inflation on March 20.

More than 2.5 million people are set to benefit from the pension increase alone, with the government estimating those on a full single rate will see a $22.20 increase to their fortnightly payments.

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The government said those are rough figures based on available data and the exact numbers will be officially confirmed in the coming weeks. 

A recent report by COTA, a charity representing people aged over 50, found one in four older people are living in poverty.

"Many older Australians are carefully managing every dollar, and additional income will help ease pressure on household budgets," COTA chief executive Patricia Sparrow said.

"While it won't solve the cost-of-living pressures many people face, an increase in the pension will make a small difference when it comes to managing rising costs for essentials like food, energy, insurance and healthcare."

Changes to deeming rates, which are a way to assess social security payments based on the income people earn from their financial assets, will also come into effect from March 20.

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The Australian Government Actuary recommended the government lift deeming rates, which it has accepted.

The lower deeming rate will be increased by 0.5 per cent to 1.25 per cent for financial assets under $64,200 for singles and $106,200 for couples, and the upper rate will be 3.25 per cent for financial assets over these amounts.

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said this was to ensure the social security system delivers value for taxpayers and is grounded in fairness.

"We'll continue to make sure the system is there to support those who need it most, ensuring that everyone can make ends meet and no one gets left behind," she said.

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An underworld figure has been found guilty of orchestrating the sniper-style assassination of a former friend-turned-rival bikie boss.

David Pye, 43, stood trial in 2025 charged with murder over the December 2020 slaying of senior Rebels bikie Nick Martin at Perth Motorplex.

Pye hired an ex-army reservist, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to carry out the public assassination.

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West Australian Supreme Court Justice Joseph McGrath today found the bikie guilty on all six of his charges, which included murder.

Pye paid the gunman $100,000 to carry out the hit on his one-time ally, after the relationship between the two bikies soured when Pye defected from the Rebels to the Comancheros.

The shooter, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to murder, used a .308-calibre rifle to target Martin 365 metres away while he sat with his loved ones in a spectator area at the racetrack.

The bullet travelled through Martin's body and exited from his lower back before striking another man in his arm, seriously injuring him.

The court was told the assassin later received a message from Pye that consisted of two coffin emojis and a hand clap emoji.

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"One dead, one serious," Pye said to the shooter.

Pye faced a judge-alone trial in the West Australian Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to six charges, including murder.

The sniper gave evidence at the trial that he visited Pye's home after the shooting, where his cash payment for killing Martin was waiting for him in a Woolworths bag, but only found half of the $100,000 cash.

Pye replied with words to the effect of "the other person didn't put in – it is what it is".

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During the trial, the assassin said Pye was the "dodgiest person I knew" and said Pye had told him he wanted to "blow holes" in Martin.

The trained marksman confirmed he described his hit on the bikie boss as a "community service", saying it was "probably my state of mind, yes".

Pye's barrister, David Hallowes SC, argued the shooter was a liar and the bikie never asked him to kill Martin.

Prosecutors also said Pye offered to pay the same shooter to murder his ex-girlfriend and another bikie, but their killings never eventuated.

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A former politician accused of sexually abusing a young teen in a car park bathroom has said he did not know the boy was 13 years old when they met.

Rory Amon talked to the alleged victim on a gay dating app and then over Snapchat before meeting at the boy's family home on Sydney's northern beaches.

The former state MP has pleaded not guilty to various criminal sexual acts against the teenage boy in 2017 and faced a NSW Supreme Court jury trial today.

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Then aged in his mid-20s, Amon initially spoke with the boy on a gay hook-up website after the teen lied about his age to sign up for a free trial, crown prosecutor Meaghan Fleeton told jurors.

Amon and the boy, who was in Year 8 at high school, did not use their real names.

They allegedly met on two occasions in June and July 2017 at the teen's apartment, where he lived with his parents.

The sexual activity took place in a communal bathroom connected to the car park, Fleeton said.

At the first meeting, Amon is accused of placing the boy's hand on his genitals and then directing the boy to have sexual intercourse with him.

On the second occasion, he brought along a towel, which was placed on the floor.

Further alleged sexual assaults took place while the pair were standing and then while they lay down on the towel.

Amon attempted to have sexual intercourse with the teen before telling him to perform another sexual act.

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On both occasions, the former councillor left first.

The boy waited a few minutes alone before going upstairs to his home, Fleeton told the jury.

The complainant – who cannot be legally named – then blocked Amon on Snapchat.

He told his teacher, psychiatrist, parents and friends in 2017 about what allegedly happened.

But the teen did not make a formal complaint to police until years later, after Amon became a local councillor and the boy realised his real identity.

Amon was arrested and charged in August 2024.

Now aged 36, the former politician has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges, including five counts of having sexual intercourse with a child and two counts of attempted sexual intercourse with a child.

He also denies indecent assault charges.

Amon admits meeting the teenager on a gay dating app, but it may have been different to the one the Crown alleges was used, defence barrister Matthew Johnston SC told jurors.

The former MP also admitted talking with the teen on Snapchat before going to his home.

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But Amon denied he knew the boy was 13-years-old as anyone who signed up for the dating website had to be aged over 18.

"At no point in time did (the alleged victim) provide Mr Amon with his real age," Johnston told the jury.

Instead, the 36-year-old had an honest and reasonable belief that the complainant was at least 16-years-old, the jury heard.

"That is an innocent state of mind," Johnston said.

The alleged victim is expected to tell the court he said he was at least 15-years-old.

Amon also disputed meeting up with the teen twice, saying he only went to the apartment block on one occasion, Johnston said.

The trial continues.

National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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Four teens have been charged, but as many as five other suspects connected to a string of alleged shootings and an arson attack targeting the family of a former NRL player remain at large, according to police.

Ex-Bulldogs and Wests Tigers winger Matt Utai remains in a critical condition after he was shot outside his family home in Greenacre, in the city's south-west, at about 6am on Tuesday as he was leaving for work.

He was treated by police and paramedics before being taken to hospital in a serious condition. He has since been moved to a different hospital to continue treatment.

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There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Matt Utai, and police say he is not involved in any criminal activity.

Authorities said the alleged gunman fired from an SUV before it drove away on Tuesday.

A short time later, the car, a black Toyota, was found burnt out in the nearby suburb of Wiley Park.

The following night, at about 12.45am, shots were fired at a house in St Clair. A woman in her 50s was uninjured inside.

A second burnt-out car discovered a short time later in Colyton was seized by police for forensic examination.

The morning following the second shooting, at 6.05am, a fire broke out at a Guildford West house and a nearby car was set alight. Firefighters extinguished both blazes, and no one was injured.

Yesterday, officers raided four properties in Riverwood, Guildford, Lilyfield, Villawood and Auburn and seized three vehicles, 1kg of cocaine, knuckle dusters, electronics and clothing.

An 18-year-old man was arrested in Riverwood, and a 19-year-old man was arrested in Villawood.

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"We will allege in court that those two men were involved in the firebombing of that home in Hunt Street, Guildford," Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said.

Both have been charged to appear in court today. 

Police were later led to a 19-year-old man in Guildford and a 16-year-old in Auburn, who they believe were involved in the shooting of the 44-year-old Utai.

"We will allege the 19-year-old picked up the gunman, while the 16-year-old allegedly helped with the handling of the firearm after the shooting," Abdy said.

Both men were also charged to face court today.

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Abdy said authorities believe some of the alleged offenders are acting "as part of a criminals-for-hire group", and that as many as five perpetrators are still on the loose.

"At this stage, we are still looking for the two primary offenders who are involved in the shooting of the 44-year-old man, at least two offenders involved in the shooting of the house at St Clair, and we believe there may be a third person involved in the firebombing," he said.

"We are concerned that people from overseas are effectively able to task people in Sydney to commit crimes on their behalf while they remain basically tucked away, free from reach," he added.

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"That reach doesn't remain free.

"If we can identify them, then there are processes to have them arrested and returned to this country."

Abdy said the people offshore are "too afraid to come to Australia and NSW to commit crime".

"They are using young people to commit crime on their behalf, promising them riches that they will never get," Abdy said.

Police are investigating whether Utai's son, Iziah's alleged links to the Alameddine crime network could have been the reason behind the alleged attacks.

9News understands 24-year-old Iziah is currently overseas.

NSW Police say the younger Utai is currently wanted for "criminal group offences". 

NSW Police set up Strike Force Halesowen to investigate the incidents, all of which are believed to have been targeting Utai's family.

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Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, has died aged 53.

The news comes just 10 months after Dane went public with his diagnosis of incurable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS, formerly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most common form of motor neurone disease.

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Dane's family confirmed the actor died on Thursday, February 19 (local time).

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," read a statement from his family to People.

"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world.

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight.

"He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he's received."

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Dane's family asked for privacy in the wake of his passing.

The late star got his start in the '90s with small roles on TV shows including Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, and Roseanne.

He famously played Dr. Mark Sloan (nicknamed 'McSteamy') in the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy and acted alongside Australian heartthrob Jacob Elordi in Euphoria.

Dane married actress Rebecca Gayheart in 2004 and they welcomed two daughters together; Billie, born in 2010, and Georgia, born in 2011.

Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018 but filed to have it dismissed in 2025, around the time Dane shared his ALS diagnosis publicly.

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Dane became an advocate for ALS patients after his own diagnosis.

He worked with US charity I Am ALS on legislation and fundraising before he passed.

"I don't really have a dog in the fight, per se, when it comes to worrying about what people are going think about me," he told the Washington Post in October.

This is more of a: 'How can I help? How can I be of some service?'"

"Not to be overly morbid, but you know, if I'm going out, I'm gonna go out helping somebody."

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The seismic detainment of the King's brother has sent shockwaves throughout the world.