Sharon Olalia

Australia's debt capital markets split into "two halves" over the year, according to Blake Dawson banking and finance partner Paul Jenkins.

Multinational mining and resources group Rio Tinto will exercise warrants to acquire shares of Ivanhoe Mines, expanding its interest to 30 per cent for about $US393 million.

Waning hopes on the potential power of continued international growth pushed down commodities today, with copper suffering the hardest hit.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has denied allegations the Federal Budget is dishonest because it includes $12 billion in earnings forecast to come from the controversial RSPT.

Joining a string of Australian companies to suffer in Britain, Tatts Group is finally conceding a huge write-down of its Talarius poker machine business.

Fortescue Metals Group executive director Andrew Forrest yesterday revealed he was within 24 hours of reaching an initial agreement with former prime minister Kevin Rudd on the government's proposed RSPT.

Guinness Peat Group's Tony Gibbs has no regrets over a statement opposing the company's demerger plan that cost his job.

Australian cities offer the best value for expatriates in the Asia Pacific, based on Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2010.

The local currency was trading at $US0.8718/23 at noon, sliding 0.17 per cent from yesterday's close of $US0.8734/37. The dollar exchanged between $US0.8690 and $US0.8728 from 7am.

The share market was in positive territory by early afternoon with banks and miners leading the way after the exchange opened lower today.

Rio Tinto shareholders are still likely to refuse the $US116 billion iron-ore joint venture with BHP in the Pilbara, according to Royal Bank of Scotland analysts.

Greens Leader Bob Brown has offered new Prime Minister Julia Gillard a solution to the impasse on the emissions trading scheme. If Labor is re-elected, the Greens would help the government pass a carbon tax through the Senate within three months of polling day, Senator Brown said.

Greens Leader Bob Brown has offered new Prime Minister Julia Gillard a solution to the impasse on the emissions trading scheme. If Labor is re-elected, the Greens would help the government pass a carbon tax through the Senate within three months of polling day, Senator Brown said.

Guinness Peat Group's board has been locked in discussions under efforts to save its $1.4 billion proposed demerger.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has asserted his plan to reduce government spending by as much as $47 billion should he triumph in the next election.

Federal Labor MP Bill Shorten said forcing out Kevin Rudd as prime minister last week was the hardest decision he made in his political career. He was among a group of leaders who asked Julia Gillard to contest Mr Rudd as Labor head.

New prime minister Julia Gillard is rushing to meet a Friday deadline to conclude the damaging debate over the resource super-profits tax.

New prime minister Julia Gillard might consider an early election after the government received a solid lift in the polls, which was largely a result of the ousting of Kevin Rudd.

Australia's major banks may stop offering discounts on mortgage rates to soften the effect of elevated wholesale funding costs.

The Australian government has announced it is open for discussions with the mining sector over the controversial resource super profits tax and is anxious to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

Australia's immigration will slacken under the new leadership, New Prime Minister Julia Gillard signalled yesterday, amid rising concerns on the nation's swelling population.

New Prime Minister Julia Gillard seeks a quick agreement with miners over RSPT in order to counterbalance the issue at this year's general election, according to newspapers.

The share market recorded higher at the opening today, thanks to the financial and energy sectors.

WorleyParsons Ltd has cut a deal to supply engineering services for Brazilian iron ore mining company Vale's S11D project near Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Wattyl, which has a market capitalisation of $107m, has accepted a $142 million takeover proposal from Valspar, the Sydney-based company announced today.

Photon Group founder Tim Hughes will step down as executive chairman after the company announces a trading update today.

The Phillips River gold project is not likely to be cancelled if the resource super profits tax is implemented in its current form, according to Junior gold and base metals explorer Tectonic Resources.

Ford Australia chief Marin Burela is in drive for a greener Ford Territory and more fuel efficient power in its Landmark Falcon, believing that these are among the initiatives that will uphold the company's fortunes in Australia.

Vodaphone Hutchison Australia has started on a multi-million-dollar exercise that will see all 93 of VHA's 3 mobile stores revamped as multi-branded Vodafone and 3 stores.