Cambridge University has beaten the Waikato University Men's Eight rowing crew for the second time in the race's history, crossing the line just a quarter of a boat length ahead in the Gallagher Great Race.

THE Reserve Bank may be cautious about how quickly it cuts official interest rates in the future, because inflation still has a long way to fall, economists say.

RESERVE Bank governor Glenn Stevens says a slowing economy will help to bring down inflation.

THE Federal Government has given timber company Gunns until January next year to complete an environmental impact management plan for its controversial pulp mill in northern Tasmania.

SHARES jumped nearly 4 per cent today as a bail-out of two US mortgage giant eased investor fears about global markets.

OVERSUPPLY continues to be the biggest threat to the Australian wine industry and the sector needs a break from plantings of new vines, says the newly-formed Barossa Grape and Wine Association (BGWA).

THE biggest banking acquisition in Australian corporate history looks set to go ahead after an independent expert said Westpac's proposed takeover of rival St George was "fair and reasonable".

NATASHA Ryan, the teenager believed murdered who actually spent five years hiding in a cupboard in her boyfriend's house, is to marry the man who hid her.

AN Australian power company has withdrawn more than 3000 Chinese-made protective uniforms after staff complained of skin irritations.

AUSTRALIAN Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty spent 3 ? hours today giving evidence to an inquiry into the bungled investigation of doctor Mohamed Haneef.

A 15-YEAR-old girl has been charged over two armed robberies.

ORIGIN Energy has signed a gas deal with a United States energy giant, which will put $6 billion into its coffers by the end of October.

A COLOURFUL Romanian-Australian businessman has claimed he will repay tens of millions of dollars to many of the "mum and dad" investors burned by the collapse of controversial fuel additive company Firepower.

ABC Learning Centres says it has no timeframe for the release of its annual financial results nor could it if it was to be the subject of a regulatory investigation.

SEARCHERS looking for two sailors missing aboard their yacht off the southern Queensland coast are heading to inspect debris found in the sea.

A MAN conspired with his lover to drown his wife in the surf just months after he sought counselling in a bid to save his marriage, a court has heard.

THE search for a yacht carrying two Australian men has been ramped up, with 21 aircraft scanning the eastern seaboard.

JOHN Howard approved a $6.3million grant to buy a property as a memorial to Steve Irwin, although the funding breached guidelines.

QUEENSLAND police are seeking help to find World War II medals stolen from a Gold Coast home.

HE was killed by a barrage of spear thrusts and an axe blow to the head - a payback punishment.