Opus International Consultants has reported an annual net profit after tax up 6.5 per cent to & #36;14.2 million ( & #36;A12.36 million).

SYDNEY, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Australian shares are set for a lacklustre start on Monday, after worries about weaker consumer spending in the world's biggest economy pushed U.S. stocks lower at the end of last week.

Mitsubishi workers are being offered an employment and training service to help them find long-term replacement jobs.

SYDNEY, Feb 18 (Reuters) - The board of Allco Finance Group Ltd AFG.AX, an Australian asset manager which last week opened its books to potential suitors, was seeking a cash injection, The Australian Financial review said.

SINGAPORE, Feb 17, 2008 (AFP) - Fighter jets, commercial planes and unmanned drones will jostle for attention at Asia's biggest airshow this week as titans Boeing, Airbus and other manufacturers take their wares to the booming Asian market, organisers said.

SYDNEY, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Centro Properties Group CNP.AX, which owns 700 U.S. shopping malls, has convinced its banks to extend refinancing deadlines, giving the company more time to sell assets to raise cash and repay its debts.

The Gold Coast Public Transport Alliance has met the Queensland Transport Minister to outline its concerns about a proposed rapid transit system.

Farmers in the South Australian Mallee region are concerned that sand mining is destroying the environment.

Analysts say the Australian share market is poised for a subdued opening today, after concerns about weaker consumer spending in the United States pushed Wall Street lower on Friday.

The Construction Workers union is opposed to any increase in the number of people brought into Australia on temporary work visas.

WELLINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - The pace of growth in New Zealand's service sector eased for the second straight month in January, as the Christmas holiday period saw some businesses slow down activity, a survey showed on Monday.

Tasmania's firefighters have warned protest action is looming as they increase work bans from today.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has warned companies controlled by foreign governments that he will act in the national interest when assessing their investments in Australia.

WELLINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Auckland International Airport Ltd AIA.NZ will review its recommendation on a partial offer from a Canadian pension fund following a downturn in the equity market, a newspaper reported on Monday.

LONDON (AFP) - British finance minister Alistair Darling announced on Sunday the temporary nationalisation of troubled bank Northern Rock, which was hit by the global credit crunch in August.

DAR ES SALAAM (AFP) - US President George W.

AFP) - Iran on Sunday declined to rule out that the oil cartel OPEC would cut production at its next meeting in early March, a move vehemently opposed by oil-consuming countries.

TEHRAN, Feb 17, 2008 (AFP) - Iran on Sunday inaugurated its first stock exchange for oil products and petrochemicals, in a bid to become a major player in the global downstream industry.

Most Aussie companies are in good financial shape to withstand further market shocks although a worrying number are still vulnerable, an industry survey found.

South Australia's motoring organisation, the RAA, says it is hopeful the appointment of a national petrol commissioner will lead to greater stability and lower petrol prices.