UNITED KINGDOM

The University of Melbourne has jumped two places to No 36 - and again is the only Australian university to have all surveyed disciplines in the Top 30 in the world - in the Times Higher Education-QS (THE-QS) 2009 World University Rankings, released toda

Text messaging can help smokers quit the habit, according to an international study.

General Electric Co and Britain's Rolls Royce Group PLC said on Wednesday they have halted tests on an alternate engine for the F-35 fighter jet after damage was found to some turbine blades, and no timetable was given for the tests to resume.

General Electric Co and Britain's Rolls Royce Group PLC said on Wednesday they have halted tests on an alternate engine for the F-35 fighter jet after damage was found to some turbine blades, and no timetable was given for the tests to resume.

The Aussie dollar pulled back from its early morning highs above 89 cents yesterday dipping to an intraday low of 0.8865 following slightly softer than forecast Home Loan data. The markets insatiable desire for the AUD resurfaced however as it bounced back to eventually exchange at an overnight high near 0.8950, its highest level since early August 2008.

Oil prices fell toward $69 a barrel on Wednesday after U.S. data showed fuel stocks surged last week in the world's biggest energy consumer, signaling a recovery in oil demand could take more time.

Smokers who are trying to kick the habit may be able to turn to their cell phones to avoid temptation, a study published Tuesday suggests.

Three scientists who produced atom-by-atom maps of the mysterious, life-giving ribosome won the Nobel chemistry prize on Wednesday for a breakthrough that has allowed researchers to develop powerful new antibiotics.

Britain expects around 100 billion pounds ($159 billion) of investment in a third round of offshore wind projects by 2020 and about 5 billion in its Pentland Firth marine energy scheme, the agency in charge of the coastal seabed said.

Britons remain opposed to the war in Afghanistan but the level of opposition has not risen much over the past three years despite a rapidly rising death toll, a poll for the BBC showed Wednesday.

The skeleton of a sperm whale is competing with the brain of a cow for this year's Turner Prize, Britain 's annual competition of contemporary art that regularly triggers debate about what is art and what is not.

The teacup pigs were featured this morning on NBC's Today Show because of its growing demand from people including from celebrities who want them as their pets.

European shares were lower at midday on Wednesday after sharp gains in the previous session on global economic recovery hopes, with banking and industrial engineering shares leading the decline.

Britain's top share index eased in mid-session trade on Wednesday, with weakness in energy and food retailers offsetting some strength in miners and banks, as investors await the start of the third-quarter corporate results season in the United States.

Britain's top share index was flat early on Wednesday as investors paused for breath after the previous session's sharp rise, with gains in miners offsetting weak energy stocks and ahead of the U.S. third-quarter earnings season.

Soccer's global governing body FIFA, gaming software-maker Electronic Arts and Sony Corp's PlayStation announced the start of the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2010 (FIWC10) season on Tuesday.

Investors flocked to the Aussie dollar following yesterday's surprise interest rate increase by the RBA. Despite the central bank having previously provided strong rhetoric pointing to an increase from 3% most analysts had been expecting the first increase in the cycle to come later in the year. The immediate reaction to the news saw the AUD/USD jump from 0.8750 to trade around 0.8850 within an hour and headed into offshore exchange looking to add to the gains.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday as investors bought commodities to hedge against a weaker dollar and the U.S. government forecast an increase in world oil demand.

Gold surged to a record high above $1,040 per ounce on Tuesday, as investors piled into the metal to preserve the value of their dollar-denominated assets against erosion by a weakening dollar and inflation.

Oil prices rose slightly on Tuesday as investors bought commodities to hedge against a weaker dollar and the U.S. government forecast an increase in world oil demand.

Oil prices rose toward $72 a barrel on Tuesday as investors bought commodities to hedge against a weaker dollar, and the U.S. government forecast an increase in world oil demand.