AUSTRALIA

Vaccinations for equine influenza will increase the widespread of the disease throughout Australia in the future.

Gold rose on Thursday to a two-week high and platinum group metals rallied to their highest in more than 20 months as fresh investment money poured into commodities.

Factories across Europe and Asia cranked up production in March, business surveys showed on Thursday, showing a strong recovery in fast-growing emerging markets taking root in the developed West.

Factories in China and India cranked up production in March and Japanese business morale rose to its highest in more than a year on signs of improving global demand, boosting hopes for a sustainable economic recovery.

Patrick McGorry, Australian of the Year wants to see immediate upgrade of mental health services to halt the alarming spike in suicides.

The culture of breastfeeding in Australia needs to be altered if health advantages such as the prevention of metabolic diseases in mothers is to be achieved, says the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

Australia's Macarthur Coal rejected a $3 billion bid from U.S. miner Peabody Energy Corp , saying it undervalued the growth prospects of a company that controls a third of the world's supply of a cleaner coal coveted by steelmakers.

European industry bodies urged European Union regulators on Wednesday to prevent unfair competition and excessive pricing of iron ore, saying it could hamper economic recovery in Europe.

Australia's Macarthur Coal rejected a $3 billion bid from U.S. miner Peabody Energy, saying it undervalued the growth prospects of a company which controls a third of the world's supply of a cleaner coal coveted by steelmakers.

Australia researchers say the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer in women, is now a leading cause of oral cancer among men in the Western world.

A leading sexual health said gonorrhoea risks becoming a drug-resistant superbug if doctors do no come up with new ways of treating it.

To address the significant health consequence of osteoporosis, under diagnosis and under treatment of the disease, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has launched a new osteoporosis guideline to provide clear, evidence-based recommendations to assist GPs in the management of osteoporosis sufferers.

Clapham released an opinion article in a newspaper from Jakarta that points out to smoking as good for the health.

Following a court's decision to send four of steel giant Rio Tinto's employees to jail for accepting bribe, the world is waiting with bated breath to see how the steel firm reacts to the Chinese government's move. The verdict has cast a cloud over China as a destination for global firms to do business. After the verdict, the Australian government and media had expressed concerns over the trial and the conviction of Rio's four employees, including its China head.

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Tuesday that the verdicts in the trial of four executives of global miner Rio Tinto left serious unanswered questions for business about China's legal system.

The Rudd Government announced today $4.9 Million for 12 Healthy Communities grants across Australia to tackle overweight and obesity in local communities.

The Aussie rallied overnight after hawkish comments from RBA Governor Glenn Stevens sparked speculation that an interest rate hike may be ahead.

An Australian panel called Review of Food Labeling and Policy is considering a recommendation of a required labeling of trans-fat in Australian foods or going a step further with a total ban for the country.

Both swine flu and more common strains of flu are expected to cause a double whammy flu threat this year, health authorities warn.

According to an eight-year study conducted in the Sydney Sexual Health Care Centre, which is to be published in the international journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, backpackers should be a priority population for sexual health promotion and access to services.

A Chinese court sentenced four Rio Tinto employees to 7 to 14 years in jail on Monday for taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets, a verdict the Australian government called harsh.