Sharon Olalia

Global miner Rio Tinto has obtained $226.4 million in funding for the expansion of its iron ore operations in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

The local unit opened 1.3 US cents higher today as strong earnings reports in the US underpinned investor confidence for equities and commodity-driven currencies.

Treasurer Wayne Swan is set to unveil today a more-detailed economic forecast showing the Budget remains on track to return to surplus even with the revamped resources tax by 2013.

National Australia Bank’s plan of keeping its standard variable rate lower has earned it a bigger share of the mortgage market.

There is still no word on the federal poll date even as the government is set to update Australians on the state of the economy today.

Lewis Hamilton is planning to bend on one knee and propose to Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, according to reports.

Frasier star Kelsey Grammer broke up with his wife over the phone, according to reports.

Jennifer Aniston has reportedly fallen for Paul Rudd, her friend for more than a decade.

Director Christopher Nolan said there will not be a Joker, the villain portrayed in "The Dark Knight" by the late Heath Ledger in the next Batman film.

Jon Bon Jovi sustained an injury while performing but kept going during his concert over the weekend.

Carlos Santana is getting married to his drummer.

Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group stands the Gillard government's proposed minerals resources rent tax (MRRT) should not proceed in its current shape.

Treasury secretary Ken Henry declined to give any detail about the tax assumptions when quizzed on a Senate hearing Tuesday.

The NSW government has shelled out more than $1.4 million in taxpayer funds to consolidate data centres, even as there is no savings estimate.

Minara Resources has reported its share of nickel produced at the Murrin Murrin mine in Western Australia slumped 15 per cent both on quarter and from the previous year.

Australian companies are set to deal with higher finance rates as the major banks reprice business loans.

National Australia Bank may pump up to 387 million pounds ($A664.79 million) more into its British arm Clydesdale amid increasing pressures from UK regulators to aid local units .

Queensland premier Anna Bligh has confirmed industry talk the state government has been encouraging proponents to combine projects.

Canadian Ivanhoe Mines insists its shareholder rights plan does not violate any of British-Australian Rio Tinto's existing contractual rights.

Australia's major banks are feeling the squeeze of rising funding costs but refuse to increase mortgage rates until after the federal election.

The Australian dollar opened higher today, strengthened by a positive close on Wall Street.

Carrie Underwood has married Mike Fisher, a hockey star who plays for the Ottawa Senators.

Leonardo DiCaprio confessed he did not understand the script for his sci-fi motion picture, Inception.

Robert Pattinson hopes to continue his intense shooting schedule for the foreseeable future, because it makes up for the months he spent unemployed when he was first starting out as an actor.

Gwyneth Paltrow admits it was not easy to lose her baby weight.

Avatar star Zoe Saldana confesses her fiance is not the type of guy she usually goes for.

Kylie Minogue is planning to adopt a baby with her Spanish boyfriend.

Remarkably high interest rates on savings accounts could end thanks to the Reserve Bank of Australia's ruling to put the cash rate on hold for the second straight month, an analyst has warned.

Australia-based investment company Mirrabooka has posted a 31 per cent increase in full-year net profit, and announced a share purchase plan saying equity valuations had gone back to attractive buying levels.