Woolworths shares dive to all-time low after warning of 'marked' downturn

Woolworths had a day to forget yesterday, when it posted a profit warning, revealed dire recent trading, and tore up plans to sell its £200m stake in DVD publisher 2 entertain.

Fairfax moves to unwind margin loan

THE Fairfax Media director John B. Fairfax has unwound a margin loan over 159 million of the publisher's shares, which was believed to have prompted short-sellers to target the stock over recent weeks.

Rio Tinto spins iron ore deal into bid defense (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares in global miner Rio Tinto gained over 1 percent on Tuesday after it won a huge price rise for iron ore shipped to China, giving it a chance to trumpet its defense against a $163 billion takeover bid.

Australian merchant bank Babcock and Brown faces lenders

Babcock & Brown Ltd., Australia's second-largest merchant bank that last week lost half its market value, is accelerating an examination of its listed funds as it faces its bankers over a potential review of its 2.8 billion Australian dollars (US$2.7 billion) corporate debt facility.

Red Wings reward Babcock for winning Stanley Cup (AP)

AP - Mike Babcock's new contract allows the oldest of his three children to graduate from the same high school she's attending. And if all goes well with the Detroit Red Wings over the next three years, Babcock's younger two kids likely will get the same opportunity.

BHP Billiton abandons bid for Rio Tinto

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's biggest mining company, abandoned a hostile $68 billion takeover bid for rival Rio Tinto Ltd., blaming the global economic downturn and plunging commodity prices.