AUSTRALIA'S film and television production expenditure has grown by more than $250 million in the past financial year, figures show.

SYDNEY, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Australian shares rose 0.2 percent on Friday, ending a seven-day slide, as investors scooped up bargains in banks that had been sold off on concerns about their exposure to the property sector.

Russian railways want tiny robots to replace humans in difficult maintenance work, and they want Russian-made androids that can dance and talk.

A far north Queensland marble producer has secured a & #36;250,000 deal with Middle Eastern royalty.

Construction company Devine Ltd expects its fiscal 2008 profit to be substantially above last year.

WELLINGTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - A New Zealand-based carbon trading market, which hopes to attract global players, is set to start operating from the middle of 2008, one of its directors said on Friday.

SYDNEY, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Asian technology stocks are seen rising on Friday, after a reassuring profit and outlook from Oracle Corp ORCL.O lifted Nasdaq, but U.S. investment bank Bear Stearns' BSC.N first quarterly loss could limit gains.

THREE adults and eight children have been found safe and well after they were reported missing in the Torres Strait off far north Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.

California is suing the US Government over the Bush Administration's refusal to approve the state's tough new vehicle emission standards.

SYDNEY, Dec 21 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar was stuck in a range below 86 U.S cents on Friday, as persistent credit market worries checked gains while favourable yield differentials over U.S. assets helped it stay above recent three-month lows.

THE Victorian government will today take action in the Federal Court to try to stop industrial action by thousands of health professionals across the state.

ELEVEN people aboard two dinghies are missing in Torres Strait in far north Queensland.

THE high profile death of skin cancer victim Clare Oliver coupled with a multi-million dollar graphic campaign has already had an impact on teenagers who are now recognising the dangers of tanning.

WELLINGTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - New Zealand's economic growth slowed in the third quarter as high interest rates hit consumer spending, but analysts said the central bank would take little comfort given concerns over rising inflation pressures.

EU environment ministers agreed on Thursday to include airlines in the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2012 as part of its fight against climate change.

Tasmania's main business group has reiterated its demand for user-pays water rates to be introduced state-wide.

Motorex KTM Racing has confirmed a four member team for the 2008 Australian Motocross Championship commencing in April, with new recruit Michael Addison heading up the Pro Open class, plus Ryan Mar...

Queensland's Tourism Minister says the controversial 'Where the Bloody Hell are You' campaign should be mothballed.

SYDNEY, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Australian shares are expected to start up on Friday, ending a seven-day slide, with a positive lead from Wall Street seen encouraging investors to buy beaten down banks while energy stocks could get a boost

The technology sector has led the way higher on Wall Street this morning.