Archives
Thursday, September 18
Top Stories
Tony Mokbel 'a goose'
TONY Mokbel was a "goose" who should have hidden in the mountains of Lebanon, according to an alleged drug syndicate kingpin.
Telstra to slash 800 jobs
TELSTRA has announced it will cut 800 jobs as part of "streamlining" measures, with unions predicting poorer service for customers.
Tree falls on family, parents hurt
A COUPLE have been seriously injured after a tree fell on them and their children at a tourist spot off the Great Ocean Road.
Brutal bodybuilder jailed
A DRUNKEN bodybuilder who viciously beat a young woman after she rejected his advances has been jailed for at least six months.
Our banks remain strong - Rudd
PM Kevin Rudd says Australia's financial institutions are still in a sound position, despite billions being wiped off stocks today.
Denyer's recovery to take months
CHANNEL 7's Grant Denyer is expected to be out of action for months after suffering spinal injuries in a monster truck accident.
Adelaide snubs Olympic parade
ADELAIDE'S Olympic parade was no show-stopper with underwhelming crowds and few big-name athletes.
Alleged conman nabbed at airport
A MAN accused of posing as an ASIO agent to allegedly fleece $250,000 from a single mum was arrested at Melbourne airport.
Pollies stew over Stroganoff
A FEDERAL MP's apology for triggering inquiries into the standard of a beef dish has done little to tame fury over his time-wasting antics.
Savage dingo attacks toddler
A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl has been bitten on the back and buttocks by a dingo at Eurong on Fraser Island.
Olympians' drinks spiked
AUSTRALIAN Olympians celebrating success at the Beijing Games fell victim to dangerous drink-spiking at a Beijing bar.
Internet browsing to go 3D
AN ambitious Melbourne-based internet company has spent millions on a bold plan to turn the entire World Wide Web into a 3D environment.
Costello's memoirs in bargain bin
JUST three days after it went on sale, copies of The Costello Memoirs have been dumped in the bargain bins.
Sex pest faces new claims
A SERIAL sex offender accused of abusing an Australian Idol contestant when she was a schoolgirl is the subject of several fresh complaints to police.
Grant Denyer hurt as stunt misfires
CHANNEL 7's Grant Denyer is in hospital with spinal injuries after an accident at the wheel of a monster truck.
Terror's letter to editor
WOULD-BE suicide bomber Abdullah Merhi said relations between Muslims and non-Muslims were at boiling point when he was arrested.
Liberal job up for grabs
THE race to become shadow treasurer on Malcolm Turnbull's new front bench shapes as a contest between Victorian Liberal Andrew Robb and deputy leader Julie Bishop.
Council blamed for deaths
A NSW coroner has blamed a local council for the deaths of five family members in a preventable road collapse.
Market tumbles amid global wipeout
THE Australian share market was hammered today amid losses on the financial sector over fears the crisis on Wall Street would continue.
Cyclist may have lost control
POLICE say a female cyclist killed in Melbourne's CBD this morning may have fallen off her bike into the path of an oncoming bus.
Dumpster body murder charges laid
POLICE have charged a man over the murder of a woman whose body was set alight and dumped in a bin in Keysborough.
Mokbel 'was a goose'
FORMER fugitive Tony Mokbel should have enjoyed a champagne lifestyle in the Lebanese mountains, says an alleged drug syndicate kingpin.
$40 billion lost in share plunge
AUSTRALIAN shares have been hammered today, wiping around $40 billion off the market after doom and gloom on Wall St continued overnight.
The geeks inherit the earth
BILL Gates has overtaken Warren Buffett to regain the title of America's richest person - and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg debuts.
Bus ban call after cyclist's death
A FEMALE cyclist's death this morning in the city after she was hit by a bus has triggered new calls for a bus ban on Swanston St.
Pub told to put undies back on
A ST Kilda pub promotion urging women to remove their underwear in return for a $50 drink card has been banned.
Militants blast US embassy
ISLAMIC militants have killed 16 people in a car bomb and rocket attack on the US embassy in Yemen today.
Nightmare on Wall St as dollar dives
ANOTHER nightmare day on Wall St saw the Dow Jones close almost 450 points down, while the Australian dollar hit a 13-month low.
Hitchhiker's Guide gets new chapter
ARTHUR Dent will get to continue his adventures across the universe with another tale in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series announced.
Man now fighting for life
A MAN is battling life-threatening injuries in a Melbourne hospital after being hit in the head during a fight last night.
One killed, two injured in smash
A MOTOCYCLIST has been killed and two men are in hospital with head and leg injuries after a collision in Melbourne's outer-east early today.
Superannuation takes $100b hit
MORE than $100 billion has been wiped out of Aussie superannuation funds as the global financial meltdown worsens.
Assets watch on AIG
LOCAL and overseas insurers are eyeing the Australian and Asian assets of embattled US insurer American International Group ahead of a widely-anticipated asset sales program.
Hospital volunteers shut out
VOLUNTEERS who have spent decades helping the sick have been booted out of hospitals so big business can make more money.
Pensioners hungry, MPs whine
PENSIONERS have slammed MPs for being out of touch after a complaint about beef stroganoff triggered Parliament House inquiries.
Death rocks Cathy Freeman
OLYMPIC gold medallist Cathy Freeman has flown home to join relatives struggling to cope with the death of her younger brother.
Victoria News
Dumpster body murder charges laid
POLICE have charged a man over the murder of a woman whose body was set alight and dumped in a bin in Keysborough.
'Zero tolerance' policy should stay
THE Opposition has slammed a softening of the Government's 'zero tolerance' policy to sexual offences committed by teachers.
Pub told to put undies back on
A ST Kilda pub offering free drinks to women who remove their underwear will be investigated by liquor licensing authorities.
Alleged conman nabbed at airport
A MAN accused of posing as an ASIO agent to allegedly fleece $250,000 from a single mum was arrested at Melbourne airport.
Work starts on water pipeline
WORK has started on the controversial $750 million Sugarloaf Pipeline project that will bring 75 billion litres of water to Melbourne.
Motoring menace plonks plank out window
POLICE are amazed at the stupidity of a Melbourne motorist who drove with a plank of wood protruding from their car.
Praise for fire hero nurse
A COURAGEOUS nurse braved thick smoke and flames to drag an elderly man from a burning building. He kicked down the back door to save the man.
Fire grips tyre recycling plant
A SUSPICIOUS fire at a tyre recycling plant in Melbourne's south-west last night has caused severe damage.
One killed, two injured in smash
A MOTOCYCLIST has been killed and two men are in hospital with head and leg injuries after a collision in Melbourne's outer-east early today.
Kasia tells: me and my Buddy
MODEL Kasia Z has confirmed she and Lance "Buddy" Franklin are an item. The brunette put an end to months of rumour and speculation.
Bridges take toll on us all
TAXPAYERS, not ConnectEast, will fork out millions of dollars to build pedestrian bridges along EastLink. The Government will pay almost $10m.
Drug raids across border
A SYNDICATE trafficking drugs across the Victorian border into southern NSW has been smashed by raids by heavily armed tactical officers on a series of homes yesterday, police say.
Fans priced out of AFL finals
HEARTBROKEN footy fans have labelled the AFL greedy for pushing up the price of finals tickets. They say they cannot afford to pay the premium prices.
VCAT stuck to Cranbourne policy
THE state planning tribunal ignored an EPA recommendation for a 500m buffer around a tip that now leaking methane in Cranbourne.
3AW fans swamp Ernie Sigley
ERNIE Sigley was swamped with calls from well wishers yesterday after it was revealed he was quitting his 3AW drive program after 12 years. He said he would be finishing up after the Spring Carnival.
Sex pest faces new claims
A SERIAL sex offender accused of abusing an Australian Idol contestant when she was a schoolgirl is the subject of several fresh complaints to police.
Terror's letter to editor
WOULD-BE suicide bomber Abdullah Merhi said relations between Muslims and non-Muslims were at boiling point when he was arrested.
Bash victim wants jail for 'coward'
A REVELLER left fighting for his life with a brain injury after a Schoolies' Week bashing at Lorne wants his "cowardly" attacker jailed.
Superannuation takes $100b hit
MORE than $100 billion has been wiped out of Aussie superannuation funds as the global financial meltdown worsens and our market takes a hammering.
Tourists discover Victoria
VICTORIA is fast becoming Australia's tourist mecca with figures showing it was the only state to record a rise in visitor numbers in the past year. Domestic visitor numbers are up 2.2 per cent from last year.
Kayaker tells of lucky break
A NORTHCOTE kayaker yesterday told how he deliberately broke a leg to avoid drowning in a torrent of whitewater near Mt Beauty.
Hundreds at fundraiser for accused
THEY gathered at a gala function at Docklands last night for the one man who could not be there. "They" included businessmen and Carlton Crew identity Mick Gatto.
Fans fired by Olympic spirit
OUR Olympic heroes were given a gold-medal welcome home by tens of thousands of Melbourne fans yesterday. Grant Hackett, Leisel Jones and Steve Hooker were among 19 Victorian medallists.
Hospital volunteers shut out
VOLUNTEERS who have spent decades helping the sickhave been booted out of hospitals so big business can make more money.
Toddler gives herself a hand
A TODDLER whose malformed fingers were replaced with two of her toes in a 10-hour operation is now moving her new "tingers".
A Cossack down under for Show
THE Royal Melbourne Show has swung into action with some high-flying stunts by Ukrainian Cossack rider Sergiy Khimich and his trusty sidekick, Mojo.
Tired old issue won't go away
ONE in three new parents don't get a full night's sleep in the year after having a baby, a poll has found. And two-thirds of kids 2 to 6 are climbing into bed with their parents.
Daniel's big kick from Bulldogs
MOVE over, all you one-eyed footy fans. It's time to make way for a one-legged Bulldogs fan hopping with joy over his team's finals chance. Footy fanatic Daniel Redi was invited to training yesterday.
Tree falls on family, parents hurt
A COUPLE have been seriously injured after a tree fell on them and their children at a tourist spot off the Great Ocean Road.
Cyclist may have lost control
POLICE say a female cyclist killed in Melbourne's CBD this morning may have fallen off her bike into the path of an oncoming bus.
Brutal bodybuilder jailed
A DRUNKEN bodybuilder who viciously beat a young woman after she rejected his advances has been jailed for at least six months.
Mokbel 'was a goose'
FORMER fugitive Tony Mokbel should have enjoyed a champagne lifestyle in the Lebanese mountains, says an alleged drug syndicate kingpin.
Alarm over rapist's 'parole breach'
NORLANE rapist Joshua Maynard was reported for breaching his parole conditions weeks before he attacked a 15-year-old girl.
Bus ban call after cyclist's death
A FEMALE cyclist's death this morning in the city after she was hit by a bus has triggered new calls for a bus ban on Swanston St.
Man now fighting for life
A MAN is battling life-threatening injuries in a Melbourne hospital after being hit in the head during a fight last night.
National News
Council blamed for deaths
A NSW coroner has blamed a local council for the deaths of five family members in a preventable road collapse.
Denyer's recovery to take months
CHANNEL 7's Grant Denyer is expected to be out of action for months after suffering spinal injuries in a monster truck accident.
Adelaide snubs Olympic parade
ADELAIDE'S Olympic parade was no show-stopper with underwhelming crowds and few big-name athletes.
Pollies stew over Stroganoff
A FEDERAL MP's apology for triggering inquiries into the standard of a beef dish has done little to tame fury over his time-wasting antics.
Savage dingo attacks toddler
A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl has been bitten on the back and buttocks by a dingo at Eurong on Fraser Island.
Costello's memoirs in bargain bin
JUST three days after it went on sale, copies of The Costello Memoirs have been dumped in the bargain bins.
Olympians' drinks spiked
AUSTRALIAN Olympians celebrating success at the Beijing Games fell victim to dangerous drink-spiking at a Beijing bar.
$40 billion lost in share plunge
AUSTRALIAN shares have been hammered today, wiping around $40 billion off the market after doom and gloom on Wall St continued overnight.
Death rocks Cathy Freeman
OLYMPIC gold medallist Cathy Freeman has flown home to join relatives struggling to cope with the death of her younger brother.
Lance Armstrong may ride in Oz
CYCLING great Lance Armstrong may be heading to Australia to start his comeback.
Liberal job up for grabs
THE race to become shadow treasurer on Malcolm Turnbull's new front bench shapes as a contest between Victorian Liberal Andrew Robb and deputy leader Julie Bishop.
Drug raids across border
A SYNDICATE trafficking drugs across the Victorian border into southern NSW has been smashed by raids on a series of homes yesterday, police say.
Pensioners hungry, MPs whine
PENSIONERS have slammed MPs for being out of touch after a complaint about beef stroganoff triggered Parliament House inquiries.
Our banks remain strong - Rudd
PM Kevin Rudd says Australia's financial institutions are still in a sound position, despite billions being wiped off stocks today.
Nightmare on Wall St as dollar dives
ANOTHER nightmare day on Wall St saw the Dow Jones close almost 450 points down, while the Australian dollar hit a 13-month low.
Stars breed false hope for women
OLDER celebrity mums such as Nicole Kidman, Madonna and Halle Berry are to blame for women's unrealistic expectations of giving birth after age 40, an IVF expert says.
Superannuation takes $100b hit
MORE than $100 billion has been wiped out of Aussie superannuation funds as the global financial meltdown worsens.
Grant Denyer hurt as stunt misfires
CHANNEL 7's Grant Denyer is in hospital with spinal injuries after an accident at the wheel of a monster truck.
World News
Indonesia won't join Rudd's arms race
INDONESIA will not join any Asian arms race, its defence minister said today, following Kevin Rudd's plan to build up Australia's military in response to a regional weapons buying spree.
Rebel leader not executed, says president
EAST Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta has rejected reports that rebel leader Alfredo Reinado was executed rather than killed in a gunbattle with police.
Seven soldiers killed in chopper crash
SEVEN US soldiers have been killed in a helicopter crash in southern Iraq, the US military said.
Man 'threw explosives around for fun'
A FORMER Japanese serviceman who said he wanted to have fun was taken into custody today for allegedly hurling explosive-laden fire extinguishers towards the Imperial Palace, reports said.
Livni set to replace Olmert as PM
ISRAELI Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has secured a narrow victory in a party leadership contest that sets her on course to succeed the scandal-crippled Ehud Olmert as prime minister in the coming weeks.
The geeks inherit the earth
BILL Gates has overtaken Warren Buffett to regain the title of America's richest person - and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg debuts.
Soldier opens fire at performance review
A US soldier in Iraq is detained after allegedly shooting dead a superior and another soldier at a discussion about his leadership.
Sarah Palin's Yahoo! email account hacked
PRIVATE messages and what appear to be email addresses for Sarah Palin's family members have been revealed by hackers.
US solider slays mates
A US soldier has allegedly opened fire on a superior and another unit member, killing them both, the US Army said today.
Militants blast US embassy
ISLAMIC militants have killed 16 people in a car bomb and rocket attack on the US embassy in Yemen today.
'Robin Hood' banker jailed for fraud
A "ROBIN Hood" bank manager has been jailed for taking money from the accounts of his rich clients and putting it into those of struggling businesses.
Chef agrees to pay waiters $1m in tips
CELEBRITY French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has agreed to settle a lawsuit over tips filed by waiters at his swank New York restaurants for $US1.75 million ($2.21 million), court papers say.
Car bombings at US embassy kill 16
TWO suicide car bombers set off a series of explosions outside the heavily fortified US embassy in Yemen, killing 16 people.
Nightmare on Wall St as dollar dives
ANOTHER nightmare day on Wall St saw the Dow Jones close almost 450 points down, while the Australian dollar hit a 13-month low.
Hitchhiker's Guide gets new chapter
ARTHUR Dent will get to continue his adventures across the universe with another tale in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series announced.
Internet is 'a deep web of lies' - creator
THE inventor of the world wide web has called for a new labelling system to help people distinguish fact from fiction when browsing the internet.
Mum drowned disabled child 'out of shame'
A WOMAN allegedly drowned her four-year-old daughter in the bath because she was embarrassed by the child's mild cerebral palsy.
Murder suspect face to face with victim's family
SUSPECTED killer Amanda Knox came face to face with the family of Meredith Kercher for the first time yesterday at a hearing to decide if she should be tried over the British student's murder.
Doctors shocked at fish in penis
A PET fish has given new meaning to swimming upstream after it managed to get into its owner's penis while the boy was urinating.
Web of lies worries inventor
THE inventor of the world wide web has called for a new labelling system to help people distinguish fact from fiction when browsing the internet.
New Thai PM calls for unity
SOMCHAI Wongsawat, brother-in-law of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, won a majority of votes in parliament yesterday to become Thailand's prime minister.
Spurned Gurkhas find new avenger
SHE'S known more for comedy Absolutely Fabulous but actor Joanna Lumley yesterday played a new role as an advocate for Gurkhas.
Undies show trial
A FLORIDA judge has deemed unconstitutional a law banning baggy pants that show off the wearer's underwear.
Storm proves mane event
MANY years from now, a small group of Hurricane Ike survivors will probably still be telling the story of how, on the night the storm flattened their island, they took sanctuary in a church with a lion.
Two battle for Israel's tough top job
A TOP peace negotiator and a hawkish former general were battling it out overnight in a party vote that could give Israel its next prime minister and determine the course of Middle East peace efforts.
Commando raid frees pirate hostages
FRANCE has used crack commandos to free two French hostages under cover of night.
Obama defies credit crisis
AS the presidential candidates search for a political dividend from the US financial crisis, Barack Obama hosted a $US28,500-a-head Hollywood fundraiser.
Sports News
Broncos boss slams 'double standard'
BRISBANE Broncos boss Bruno Cullen accused the media of double standards today in the wake of sex claims against three players.
Armstrong wants to ride here
SEVEN-TIME Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has reportedly told Tour Down Under officials he wants to contest the race in Adelaide in January.
Snapper catches Faldo on the hop
EUROPEAN Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo was caught on the hop today when a photographer exposed some of his secrets ahead of the contest against the US.
Wrong man Beauchamp sent off
AUSTRALIAN Michael Beauchamp was the victim of mistaken identity and was sent off in a UEFA Champions League match in Glasgow today.
Ronaldo back but United disappoint
CRISTIANO Ronaldo made his return but Manchester United made a frustrating start to their Champions League defence today.
Late Gallas goal rescues Arsenal
ARSENAL avoided another dose of pain in Ukraine as William Gallas snatched a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Dynamo Kiev in their opening Champions League match.
Bronco skipper denies pub skirmish
BRONCOS captain Darren Lockyer last night denied he aggressively tackled a Brisbane bar staffer as allegations against his team escalated yesterday.
Pitch report adds bounce to Aussies
AUSTRALIA'S hopes of inflicting early pain on India were given a boost yesterday, with the first Test expected to be played on a fast and bouncy pitch.
Flemington to the rescue
A VICTORY for common sense is how trainers describe the VRC's decision to host the controversial transferred Sandown meeting at Flemington.
Fabiano cops nine weeks for spit
MELBOURNE Victory striker Ney Fabiano will miss almost half the A-League season after last night being banned for nine matches for spitting at an opponent.
Bullet aims to earn shot at Caulfield Cup
SCENIC Bullet's win in the Golden Doubles Handicap (1800m) at Sandown yesterday may be just the luck Perth trainer Danny Morton needed.
Six lengths up Weekend Hussler's sleeve
ROSS McDonald says Weekend Hussler's rivals will have to find an extra six lengths to beat him in Saturday's Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
Discipline the key to beating Broncos
MELBOURNE Storm players last night declared discipline the key to keeping their premiership defence alive in Saturday night's elimination-final.
No close shave as Dragons fire
THE last time South Dragons coach Brian Goorjian lost the first two games of an NBL season, he had hair.
Rookie teams impress
EUROPEAN heavyweights Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea and Inter Milan opened their Champions League campaigns with victories yesterday.
Didak 'wants to stay a Pie'
MERCURIAL Collingwood forward Alan Didak expects the Pies to honour the two-year contract he signed in July.
Fearnley win caps golden Paralympics
AN EPIC marathon victory for Kurt Fearnley has helped Australia to a top-five finish on the Beijing Paralympics medal tally.
Aussie youngsters stun Kiwis on debut
AUSTRALIA's rookie netballers showed nerves of steel to score a memorable 53-51 win against New Zealand in Christchurch last night.
Special Reports
Leigh Paatsch's Film Reviews
Step Brothers
Fans of the back-and-forth that Ferrell and Reilly have perfected will not be able to stop laughing throughout
The Tender Hook
The Tender Hook is one of those Australian films that gets you wondering how it was ever made in the first place
Space Chimps
There is a minuscule something about Space Chimps that will achieve liftoff for very young viewers
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Nothing much of note happens here, but it's perfectly agreeable time-killing fluff for its target audience
Superfooty Video Wrap
All Australian Commentary Team 2008
SuperFooty Wrap are proud to announce the inaugural All-Australian Commentary Team.
Kung-Fu Buddy
Coming up with a method for stopping the Buddy Franklin juggernaut may require more than careful planning.
Energy crisis
Voyage to bottom of vapourware
THERE are lessons in the science fiction classic Journey to the Centre of the Earth for Energy Minister Martin Ferguson as he ponders how to whip up investor interest in deep geothermal power to produce electricity.
Extra Listings
>> Rock, Pop and Roots
Rock, pop and roots gigs for an entire week. You'll be seeing so many shows you'll start to wonder why you even have a television...
>> Stage, comedy, dance, circus
All the theatre, laughs, dance troupes, circus and kid's theatre you can fit into seven days. And a few more on top of that...
>> Mix
From lectures to markets to special events in the country...we'll let you know about those fun things that you usually miss out on.
>> Other music
For those keen on seeing/hearing country, blues, jazz, classical, world and cabaret. Variety is the spice
>> Exhibitions
All the exhibitions you never knew you wanted to see, as well as all the details about those ones you have marked in your diary
Royal Melbourne Show 08
A Cossack down under for Show
THE Royal Melbourne Show has swung into action with some high-flying stunts by Ukrainian Cossack rider Sergiy Khimich and his trusty sidekick, Mojo.
AFL Finals Series
Cats could Gamble on prelim
GEELONG forward Ryan Gamble could be the beneficiary of Paul Chapman's injury blow.
Underdogs have everything to lose
"We've got nothing to lose - let's just go out there and have a crack."
Belief the key, says Warne
SHANE Warne has a message for all those footy fans who think Geelong and Hawthorn are over the line in this weekend's preliminary finals.
Bulldogs channel spirit of '99 Blues
RODNEY Eade has a keen sense of history. He won't need prompting about the finals series of 1999.
Thursday, September 18
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Entertainment
Brothers in arms
Will Ferrell has been mistaken for Jim Carrey, but has his Step Brothers co-star John C. Reilly ever been mistaken for Will Ferrell?
Colosimo hits Top Gear Australia
UNDERBELLY actor Vince Colosimo will guest star in the first episode of Top Gear Australia.
Grant Denyer hurt as stunt misfires
CHANNEL 7's Grant Denyer is in hospital with spinal injuries after an accident at the wheel of a monster truck.
Footy finals songs
Extrahit's Sugarfoot names the songs that could power your team to glory - or be the soundtrack to your sorrow.
Leigh Paatsch's film reviews
The Herald Sun's film critic takes in the week's films, including the instant classic animation WALL-E.
Hitchhiker's Guide gets new chapter
ARTHUR Dent will get to continue his adventures across the universe with another tale in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series announced.
Business
Macquarie slumps to five-year low
SHARES in Macquarie Group slumped to a five-year low today after ratings agency Standard & Poor's revised the outlook for Australia's biggest investment bank to negative from stable.
Market tumbles amid global wipeout
THE Australian share market was hammered today amid losses on the financial sector over fears the crisis on Wall Street would continue.
Suncorp reconfirms earnings guidance
SUNCORP-Metway has reconfirmed its earnings guidance for this financial year, despite the challenges posed by volatile financial markets.
Lloyds TSB takes over HBOS
BRITISH bank Lloyds TSB has confirmed it will take over rival Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS).
Telstra to slash 800 jobs
TELSTRA has announced it will cut 800 jobs as part of "streamlining" measures, with unions predicting poorer service for customers.
BlueScope strikes deal with BHP
BLUESCOPE Steel has entered into a new 10-year contract to buy iron ore from mining giant BHP Billiton and its joint venture partners.
Our banks remain strong - Rudd
PM Kevin Rudd says Australia's financial institutions are still in a sound position, despite billions being wiped off stocks today.
The geeks inherit the earth
BILL Gates has overtaken Warren Buffett to regain the title of America's richest person - and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg debuts.
Morgan Stanley talking mergers
MORGAN Stanley, one of the last two independent US-based investment banks, is reportedly in talks to merge with Wachovia Corporation
World central banks take action
THE Bank of England will conduct a dollar swap of $US40 billion ($49bn) with the US Federal Reserve as part of a central bank liquidity plan.
Gold shines brightly amid turmoil
SHARES in Australia's largest gold miners rose today after the price of the precious metal recorded its biggest one-day gain in nine years.
Incitec Pivot enters new $1.68b loan
CHEMICALS maker Incitec Pivot has entered into a three-year syndicated bank facility of $1.68 billion.
Nightmare on Wall St as dollar dives
ANOTHER nightmare day on Wall St saw the Dow Jones close almost 450 points down, while the Australian dollar hit a 13-month low.
Right courses but no solution
THE Fed delivered exactly the right combination with its 'Tuesday one-two'. But all it achieved was to avoid an immediate - unnatural - disaster named AIG.
Iron ore tipped to rise
RIO Tinto and rival BHP Billiton - the world's second and third-largest iron ore producers - are in line for a seventh consecutive annual price rise for the bulk commodity.
Hidden carbon cost
THE Federal Government's proposal to give free permits to polluting companies when emissions trading begins is unlikely to stop them from taking new investments offshore.
Gas deal big win for BHP
BHP Billiton has completed a supply contract that will underpin the $500 million expansion of the Greater Angostura gas project off the Trinidad coast.
Our stocks defy American lead
THE Australian share market closed lower yesterday despite a positive lead from American markets and the US central bank's rescue of global insurer AIG.
A lot of fuss about exposure
HUGE exposures, but really not much skin. What am I referring to? The really quite silly attempts to 'expose' individual exposures to collapsed companies. Make sense?
America's richest people
BILL Gates has overtaken Warren Buffett to regain the title of America's richest man.
UK banks talk merger
THE transformation of international banking took another turn last night with embattled British banking group HBOS plc negotiating a merger.
Assets watch on AIG
INSURERS are eyeing the Australian and Asian assets of embattled US insurer American International Group ahead of a widely-anticipated asset sales program.
What next? Nerves rule market
THE US Federal Reserve's $US85 billion ($A107.2 billion) bail-out of insurance giant AIG threatens to be overshadowed by fresh concerns Morgan Stanley may be next.
Superannuation takes $100b hit
MORE than $100 billion has been wiped out of Aussie superannuation funds as the global financial meltdown worsens.
Macquarie plummets as rumours probed
MACQUARIE Group shares sank to a four-year low yesterday, with the corporate watchdog revealing it was investigating alleged false rumours about the bank.
Catching an art shark
"This is Vic," drawled the voice down the phone from Hervey Bay in Queensland. "Vic Hislop, the shark hunter?" I asked. "That's me," he replied.
Householders tightening up
RISING risk in the aftermath of the global credit crunch may force households to curb debt levels after years of spending, RBA governor Glenn Stevens said.
Seek claims key Asian stake
JOBS website Seek has snapped up a minority stake in a Malaysian-listed employment site provider, sealing the first of two offshore opportunities in its sights.
Red light on going green
PRIVATE companies are refusing to go green until they are forced to do so because they're not willing to pay the costs of environmentally-friendly initiatives.
Tech
Internet browsing to go 3D
AN ambitious Melbourne-based internet company has spent millions on a bold plan to turn the entire World Wide Web into a 3D environment.
VideoNow
Latest
The Cat Man cometh
We've found Australia's most passionate Geelong supporter, and he's not your average footy fan. Report:Katherine Firkin. Production:Craig Hughes.
