Australia shares gain 4 pct on M&A talk, banks

BHP Billiton's chief executive has reassured investors of the miner's desire to lift dividends four days after posting its first profit fall in three years. […]

One year on from NAB's Valentine's Day-inspired "break-up" campaign, the big banks have grown closer over mortgage profitability. […]

Australian stocks will probably open as much as one per cent lower as investors digest the outcome of Greece's vote on a $A160bn bailout deal. […]

Greece's cabinet approved a new austerity agreement, facing down massive angry public protests and ignoring the resistance by a handful of Cabinet members who resigned over deeper spending cuts demanded by European leaders. […]

Bob Katter says the two major parties will both sell off Queensland's assets if they win the state election on March 24. […]

Two more deputy ministers have resigned from Greece's coalition government over new austerity measures, as protesters vent their anger in Athens. […]