ABC Learning Centres is rebranding some facilities to attract those who don't have faith in the company, marketing experts say.

BANKS are set to raise profit margins to levels not seen since the 1990s by hiking rates and not passing on any interest cuts.

US stocks finished higher today, shaking off a surge in oil prices, after a private survey showed an increase in hiring and as the Federal Reserve extended its assistance to stretched finance firms.

CORPORATE leaders are starting to see value in the local share market in the wake of the recent price shake-out.

THE global iron ore wars took another twist yesterday, with Rio Tinto announcing a $2.5 billion mine expansion on Brazilian rival Vale's home turf.

WOODSIDE Petroleum has ruled out a $15 billion East Timor liquefied natural gas export plant to process output from its Greater Sunrise fields.

A SUCCESSION announcement at National Australia Bank is imminent, possibly as early as today at the end of a regular two-day board meeting, with New Zealand boss Cameron Clyne still the favourite to succeed chief executive John Stewart.

ARISTOCRAT Leisure has taken a battering on the stock market today after predicting that net profit for first-half 2008 would come in around $70 million, or 15.4 cents per share.

PROMNINENT Perth lawyer Lloyd Rayney has pleaded not guilty to charges of tapping his murdered wife's phone.

WEST Australian cycling coach Rick Lee will wait more than a month to face a US court on charges of raping a 15-year-old girl.

POLICE are investigating the suspicious death of an elderly couple in suburban Perth.

QUEENSLAND'S biggest power supplier Ergon Energy has been caught trying to use the devastation of Cyclone Larry to falsely inflate electricity prices.

TORRES Strait teachers will stop work for 24 hours today in a protest over the condition of their housing.

A WOMAN has died in a rafting incident in far north Queensland.

THE Queensland Government is facing a storm of protest over its decision to close three primary schools in Brisbane, while a fourth in the state's north is fighting for survival.

Killer pleads with judge to keep him in prison He beheaded his mother, stabbed neighbour to death Admits he feels no remorse for his actions

A FORMER policeman who allegedly chained his wife inside a car and drove it into the sea has been committed to stand trial for attempted murder.

TWO people accused of stealing private medical records of AFL players have indicated they will plead guilty.

IT'S one of the most unlikely places to snap up the cheapest meal deal in town.

SIXTEEN motorists - including one speeding at almost three times the legal limit - have been caught in a major overnight blitz on Melbourne's Monash Freeway.