BHP posts $US9.9bn profit
BHP has posted a 5.5 per cent fall in profit for the first half and said it expects volatility in commodity markets to persist.

Optimistic RBA puts rates on ice
THE official interest rate is on hold indefinitely, with the RBA seeing fresh signs of strength in the mining boom.

Shorten attacked in bank jobs row
BUSINESS has delivered a rebuke to Bill Shorten over his accusation that banks moving jobs offshore are favouring short-term decisions.

Threat to weir has residents on alert
A WEIR is in danger of collapsing and creating a flood surge near the Queensland town of St George, forcing residents to delay their return.

Sports chiefs lobby PM after Optus win
SPORTS administrators have urged Julia Gillard to change copyright laws after a court ruling allowed broadcasts by mobile phone

One in 10 athletes may be doping: WADA
THE World Anti-Doping Agency is warning that new research findings could suggest that as many as one in 10 athletes may be doping.

Last veteran of WWI dies aged 110
FLORENCE Green never saw the front line. Her war was spent serving food, not dodging bullets.

Ice-breakers battle Europe's big chill
ICE-BREAKERS have battled Europe's big chill as more than 170km of the Danube river froze over, and dozens more died of cold.

Mel won't testify in Jewish rant case
A CIVIL jury will likely not hear directly from Mel Gibson about the night of his drink driving arrest, a judge has said.

Round of apologies at hacking inquiry
IT was apologies all round as police, editors and press regulators acknowledged their part in the phone hacking scandal.