PARIS (AFP) - French judges on Thursday again questioned the rogue trader charged in the seven-billion-dollar scandal at Societe Generale as well as another trader at a bank subsidiary, sources close to the case said.

Aberdeen Asset Management Plc sold part of its stake in miner Rio Tinto to Chinalco and Alcoa and is considering cutting holdings further.

LONDON (AFP) - An emergency bill that would allow the British government to nationalise the troubled Northern Rock bank caused ruptions between the upper and lower chambers of parliament Thursday night.

MELBOURNE, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Australian surf wear retailer Billabong Ltd BBG.AX said on Friday its first-half net profit fell 2 percent as a strong Australian dollar reduced profits made in the U.S. and Europe, but it maintained its full-year

Surf, snow and streetwear retailer Billabong International Ltd has reported a two per cent dip in half year net profit.

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - The Australian dollar held steady against a broadly weak U.S. currency on Friday, despite weaker stock markets, aided by divergent interest rate outlooks in the United States and Australia.

Artificial heart device company Ventracor Ltd has reported a & #36;14.98 million net loss for the first half of 2007/08.

Lihir shares, which rose 26 percent last year on the back of soaring gold prices, closed at A & #36;3.90 on Thursday. ( & #36;1=A & #36;1.09) (Reporting by James Regan)

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Caltex Australia Ltd CTX.AX, the country's only listed oil refiner and marketer, on Friday reported a lower-than-expected 3.25 percent rise in net profit, as lower refining margins and a strong Australian dollar offset record production

Nestle brushed off fears of commodity price inflation and global slowdown to post an above forecast 15.8 per cent rise in 2007 net profits.

The ACT Government and Canberra Business Council representatives are meeting today to discuss the city's continuing taxi crisis.

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Australian shares fell 1.2 percent on Friday, dragged down by fresh concerns that the U.S. may tip into a recession, while a tumble in oil prices hit energy firms.

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Minara Resources Ltd MRE.AX, Australia's second biggest nickel producer, said full-year profit dropped 20 percent due to lower production following a plant maintenance shutdown, but saw higher output in 2008.

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Table of the latest Australian economic data.

The following substantial shareholder notices were made to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) yesterday.

WELLINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Contact Energy Ltd CEN.NZ, New Zealand's biggest listed power company, reported a flat first half net profit on lower electricity prices and increased costs, but said it expected a small lift in full year earnings.

The Mainfreight Group has reported a net profit after tax and before non recurring items of & #36;A25.6 million.

Brazilian miner Vale X has raised its bid for rival Xstrata to 47 pounds a share from 40 pounds.

The Serious Fraud Office in New Zealand is looking into property investment business Blue Chip.

Michael Hill International has reported a 27.1 per cent rise in half year net profit after tax to & #36;A17 million.