A young Victorian man killed in a plane crash on New Zealand's South Island was a budding paramedic with a lust for adventure, his heartbroken family says.

The worst floods in more than 15 years have given Melbourne a week's water supply in one day.

Pakistan's cricket team prepared to face England in a one-day match Sunday under the shadow of fresh claims about an alleged betting scam and reports that a fourth player was being investigated.

An explosion has rocked an Iraqi ministry of defence complex that three weeks ago was the site of a suicide bomb attack that killed dozens of army recruits.

A little adversity goes a long way for St Kilda, galvanising the Saints in their pursuit of the AFL premiership which so nearly went their way last year.

Pakistani authorities were on Sunday trying to protect another town from floodwaters in southern Sindh province, as the nation continues to grapple with its worst natural disaster in living memory.

The response among New Zealanders to the most devastating quake in decades has been "tremendous", politicians and media say.

Newcastle chief executive John Tsatismas has painted a bleak picture for his club, admitting it could fold this week if it can't secure financial assistance.

The Wallabies' dressing room was dripping with determination as much as joy or relief after Saturday's historic victory over the Springboks.

AUSTRALIA'S second-largest gold company, Andean Resources, has recommended a $C3.6 billion ($3.75bn) offer from Goldcorp Inc.

AUSTRALIA'S 30 top executives have earned a collective $1.5 billion in the six years since mandatory disclosure began.

AS Michael King cursed, joked and threw about slang before court this week, he looked every bit the small-time Gold Coast solicitor.

WHEN the Leighton Holdings board convenes for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, there will be one notable absentee.

THE Australian sharemarket posted its first weekly gain in four weeks, supported by materials and industrials.

GLOBAL investors are losing faith in the "Australian story", doubting the strength of the economy and the resilience of the sharemarket.

THE Australian dollar was relatively flat in quiet Asian trading yesterday as traders waited for a report on US employment, due overnight.

FORTESCUE Metals Group could raise up to $1.97 billion in interest-free cash if it wins a battle with shareholder Leucadia National.

THE Australian Tax Office has had its claims against BHP Billiton further whittled down after the High Court refused to hear an appeal.

BILLIONAIRE Gina Rinehart's ambitious plans to produce tens of millions of tonnes of coal from the Galilee Basin in Queensland have hit a major hurdle.

MANY doubted the Clem7 tunnel traffic forecasts on which RiverCity Motorway's public float was based long before the cars failed to turn up.

INVESTORS have rushed to ditch shares in Cougar Energy - the gas company at the centre of a water contamination scare - slashing its market value in half.

ABC tycoon Eddy Groves is demanding $10 million from his broker Austock over a share deal he claims cost him his private helicopter and a luxury yacht.

The Australian share market on Friday ended the week with a third successive gain.

INVESTORS have sounded out the possibility of legal action against the troubled operators of the Clem7 toll tunnel who have reported a $1.67 billion loss.

THE former boss of failed MFS hosted an Elton John concert and got drunk with mates as his cash-strapped firm struggled to repay a creditor, a court heard.

STORE rejected $850,000 offer to settle just days before damaging harassment complaint lodged.

CLEM7 boss defends bonuses of more than $1 million paid to senior executives, saying payments linked to successful opening of tunnel.

FIRST homebuyers should have a savings history, an understanding of their mortgage and must be able to make the payments on it.

NOT only do many Aussies not have enough superannuation but they are unhappy about the management of what they do have.

QANTAS will be forced to pay upwards of $40 million to thousands of Australian travel agents it short-changed.

AUSTRALIA'S major banks are careering towards a "tipping point" that could see billions wiped from their profits.

A COCKTAIL of damaging elements has wiped almost 14 per cent off the share price of fertiliser manufacturer Nufarm this week.

THE Australian share market ended the week with a third successive gain after stocks rose marginally today.

IT is a pair of aces you wouldn't dare bet against - Shane Warne going into business with gambling kingpin James Packer.

A SHARP drop in one of the nation's key exports wasn't enough to stop Australia banking a fourth straight monthly trade surplus.

THREE years into the Coles turnaround, Wesfarmers boss Richard Goyder is still not keen to draw comparisons with Woolworths.

CONSUMERS are plundering their savings to meet rising mortgage payments while splashing out on holidays and computers.

SERIOUS questions are being asked about the effectiveness of the $300m Operation Wickenby.

FINANCIAL markets thrive despite unresolved Federal election outcome on the back of strong dollar and growth.

FAILED tycoon Eddy Groves is demanding $10 million from his broker over a share deal he claims cost him his private helicopter.

SIGMA Pharmaceuticals to defend any possible legal action over the generic drug marker's capital raising in 2009, it says.

JACOB'S Creek has seen a slump in global sales in the last financial year, as it tries to establish a position as a premium drop.

SHANE Warne and mogul James Packer to open "Warnie"-branded poker rooms at Crown Casino.

NURSE denied registration in Australia until she can prove she is competent in English.

THE Greek economy is in recession but may do better than expected, says finance minister.