COMMONWEALTH Bank of Australia (CBA) has announced a $2.731 billion first half profit, just a week after raising its variable home loan rates by 30 basis points.

A BIGAMIST has been caught after inviting the same guest to both of his weddings - but his forgiving "wives" have ensured he wasn't jailed.

The following substantial shareholder notices were made to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) yesterday.

WELLINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Fletcher Building Ltd FBU.NZ, New Zealand's largest construction and building products company, said its first-half profit rose 22 percent on contributions from new businesses and cost savings, and reaffirmed its full-year target.

Russia's threat to cut back gas supplies to Ukraine has been averted after talks between the two countries' presidents.

Workers from an automotive parts distribution company which went into administration yesterday are blockading one of the company's New South Wales offices this morning.

The world's biggest computer chipmaker, Intel, has been raided by European Union competition regulators amid claims it abused its market position.

SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Creditors of Centro Properties Group CNP.AX have given it an extra two months to refinance its debt and help avoid a firesale of assets, the Sydney Morning Herald paper reported on Wednesday.

Mining group Rio Tinto has sold its 70.3 per cent stake in the US Greens Creek silver mine to its joint venture partner Hecla Mining for & #36;A830 million.

Australian airline Ozjet has proposed initially operating four days a week from Brisbane and Sydney to Palmerston North in New Zealand.

SYDNEY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Australian stocks are set to open firmer on Wednesday following gains on Wall Street, with attention on results from Commonwealth Bank CBA.AX and global miner and takeover target Rio Tinto Ltd RIO.AXRIO.L.

Police in central England are hunting for a would-be copper thief who tried to cut through an 11,000 volt power cable with a hacksaw.

THE three men killed by a bomb outside Sydney's Hilton Hotel 30 years ago will be remembered today at the site of the attack.

TODAY'S apology to the stolen generations starts a new page in Australia's history, a former indigenous affairs minister said.

A FIRE has destroyed a century-old grandstand at a Melbourne football oval that was due to be the new home of AFL team St Kilda.

DRUG busts of major cultivations - which included "man traps" - near Port Lincoln have disrupted the distribution of cannabis around South Australia, police say.

THE Attorney-General will seek jail terms for the nine men and teens who raped a 10-year-old girl.

CHANNEL 9's bid to recapture the title of the nation's premier network has suffered a severe blow.

OIL prices fell today as fears eased that Venezuela would follow through on a threat to cut off shipments to the United States and on forecasts for an increase in US crude inventories.

THE dollar has opened marginally higher thanks to improved risk appetite overnight.