Guests at the recent Distinguished Alumni Awards were in excellent company at the dinner hosted by the University's Chancellor, the Rt Hon. Jim Bolger at the Wel Academy of Performing Arts.

THE share market jumped 3.5 per cent today to post its biggest single-day rise in almost four months.

A LOWER than expected jump in producer price inflation could open the way for a fall in interest rates by Christmas, economists say.

ECONOMIC growth will slow in 2008 as the global economy struggles against the credit crunch and high inflation, a survey finds.

IRON ore miner Fortescue Metals is expected to quickly achieve its ambitious production ramp-up to 55 million tonnes a year, analysts say.

AUSTRALIANS facing negative superannuation returns for the past financial year should consider their medium-term averages, Federal Superannuation Minister Nick Sherry says.

FLIGHT Centre expects its pre-tax profit to grow 10 - 15 per cent as consumers take advantage of cheap airfares and the stronger Australian dollar to travel overseas.

TEACHERS in Western Australia will become the best-paid in Australia and get up to about 22 per cent more cash if they accept a new offer from the State Government.

AN uncle of the late actor Heath Ledger appeared in court today charged over the theft of two earthmovers.

CONVICTED pedophile Dennis Ferguson has been moved from a Queensland property to a secret location in Brisbane ahead of a court hearing tomorrow.

FORMER surgeon Jayant Patel has appeared in a Brisbane court this afternoon after being extradited from the United States.

A NEW economic snapshot of Tasmania warns of leaner times ahead with uncertainty surrounding the Gunns pulp mill.

BEACONSFIELD miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb will give evidence at an inquest starting tomorrow into the death of fellow miner Larry Knight.

A QUEENSLAND man has been charged after he allegedly inappropriately touched a 15-year-old girl.

SOUTHEAST Queensland motorists can expect to pay less than $1.50 a litre at the bowser tomorrow, says the RACQ.

SOUTH Australians overcharged for water by a "monumental" State Government "stuff up'' will get refunds, Treasurer Kevin Foley says.

A COMPANY that painted its campervans with slogans found to be demeaning to women has now urged complainants to call Queensland Premier Anna Bligh at her office.

QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh has bowed to public pressure and declared to Parliament a holiday she took in the home of a director of a development company.

INDIAN-born surgeon Jayant Patel has been granted bail by a Brisbane magistrate on manslaughter charges.

A 31-YEAR-OLD man is being questioned over more than 40 sexual assaults on women in Brisbane since January 2006.