Australia

Australia slashes interest rate to avert recession (Washington Post)

2 Dec 2008

SYDNEY, Australia -- Australia's central bank slashed its key interest rate by one percentage point Tuesday in the latest bold move by the country's top finance officials to stave off a recession.

O'Connor set for first Australia rugby team start (AFP via Yahoo! News)

2 Dec 2008

James O'Connor, the 18-year-old who became the second youngest cap for Australia last month, is to make his first start for the Wallabies in Wednesday's Wembley meeting with the Barbarians.

British Airways holding merger talks with Australia's Qantas (Market Watch)

2 Dec 2008

British Airways on Tuesday says it’s holding merger talks with Australia’s Qantas Airways in a deal that could combine two of the world’s best-known international carriers.