An Australian woman born without arms and legs after her mother took thalidomide during pregnancy, on Wednesday won a landmark multi-million dollar settlement in her class action against drug firms.

An Australian woman born without arms and legs after her mother took thalidomide during pregnancy on Wednesday won a landmark multi-million dollar settlement in her class action against drug firms.

Australia's unemployment rate rose to 5.2 percent in June, data showed Thursday, with the economy shedding 27,000 jobs as global uncertainty and the strong Australian dollar weighed on employers.

Australia's unemployment rate rose to 5.2 percent in June, with the economy shedding 27,000 jobs as global uncertainty and the strong Australian dollar weighed on employers.

Australia will press the case for direct conversion between the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan during high-level talks in Beijing this week, Treasurer Wayne Swan said Wednesday.

Australia will press the case for direct conversion between the Australian dollar and the Chinese yuan during high-level talks in Beijing this week, Treasurer Wayne Swan said Wednesday.

Australia's central bank held interest rates steady at 3.50 percent on Tuesday saying strong domestic growth was being countered by global uncertainty and recent cuts had provided breathing space.

A Sydney brothel has received the green light for a multi-million-dollar expansion which will see it become Australia's largest sex premises, with rooms featuring multiple beds and pool tables.

Asian markets mostly rose for a third successive day on Thursday, posting strong gains on hopes for stimulus measures in the United States and Europe as well as promises of help for Spain's banks.

Australia Wednesday hailed as "remarkable" the 1.3 percent growth in its mining-driven economy in the first three months of 2012, as consumer spending rallied and business investment boomed.

Australia Wednesday hailed as "remarkable" the 1.3 percent growth in its mining-driven economy in the first three months of 2012, as consumer spending rallied and business investment boomed.

Asian markets climbed on Tuesday and the euro clawed back some of its losses as dealers took a breather from a recent heavy sell-off caused by concerns over the eurozone.

Australia's central bank cut interest rates by 25 basis points Tuesday to 3.5 percent amid fears over weakness in Europe and easing growth in key trade partner China.

Australia launched a multi-million dollar global tourism campaign in Shanghai on Monday, targeting China's growing affluent classes who are venturing overseas in greater numbers.

Oil prices slid Monday as the dollar strengthened against the euro on mounting worries over Greek politicians' inability to form a government.

Oil prices slumped on Monday, with New York crude striking five-month lows, as the dollar strengthened against the euro on mounting worries over Europe's debt crisis, traders said.

European stock markets fell in opening trade on Monday, rattled by ongoing political uncertainty in Greece.

The Australian dollar dropped below parity with the greenback on Monday for the first time since December as political turmoil in Greece led traders to sell riskier assets.

Singapore Telecommunications' fourth-quarter net profit soared 30 percent on improved contributions from some of its overseas associates and a stronger Australian dollar, the firm said Thursday.

After four years of work and $10 billion in investment, an international expo will open Saturday at a glittering hi-tech venue on the site of a former dusty cement terminal in South Korea.