Global markets tumble after the US rejects an offer from China to hold initial trade talks this week, and concerns about slower growth in the world economy continue to weigh on sentiment.

Should souvenirs featuring one of the most profane words in the English language be sold at family-oriented events? The debate over the Top End's "CU in the NT" slogan is polarising Territorians.

The government promises cost-of-living relief in next week's budget, including tax cuts, but a NAB survey suggests as many as a third of taxpayers will simply squirrel it away.

It was a year most investors would prefer to forget with ASX shedding $120 billion as risk was abandoned on mounting fears both at home and overseas.

Beloved Australian songwriter Garry Koehler, who rose to fame with his band The Bobkatz after penning The Man in the Picture, has died in his Queensland home.