PM

The surging Australian dollar came to a screeching halt today after the Reserve Bank attempted to backtrack on comments it made about interest rates earlier in the week. Speaking to business leaders in Adelaide, the RBA's deputy governor downplayed speculation that an interest rate rise is to come. He's cautioned against reading too much into the RBA's recent talk about the neutral cash rate.

The mysteries of Torres Strait Islander culture are taking centre stage in the new production 'My Name is Jimi' which opens in Brisbane on Saturday night. Ancient stories from Thursday Island combine with teenagers gazing at their mobile phones, in this slice of Torres Strait Islander life.

A blueprint for legal, voluntary assisted suicide has been released in Victoria. It would allow people with a terminal condition and who are close to dying access to lethal drugs to end their life. Proponents say eligibility criteria is strict. But critics in the palliative care industry say MPs would be making a huge mistake if they backed the plan.

The Federal Government is being criticised for proposing to change the level of protection over waters on and around parts of the Great Barrier Reef. Environmentalists say about 50 per cent of the Coral Sea would have its National Park protection status slashed under the new plan. The Government's head of National Marine Parks has confirmed the plans allow for more commercial fishing but says much more of the sea floor will be protected and there needs to be a balance between the environment and coastal community livelihoods.

New research suggests one in three cases of dementia could be prevented if more of us looked after the health of our brain throughout life. An international study lists nine key risk factors including a lack of education, smoking and physical inactivity. Scientists also say people with hearing loss are also more likely to develop dementia.

Business PM catches you up on the most important news in business and finance.

The RSPCA has raided 11 properties in Queensland, busting a major cockfighting ring. About 200 birds have been seized, along with illegal cockfighting paraphernalia. Animal welfare inspectors say the illegal activity is widespread in Queensland and across Australia. They say there's evidence the birds were bred and trained for fighting domestically and abroad. They expect to charge numerous people over the operation.

The Federal Court has upheld a native title claim over one of Fortescue Metals Group's West Australian mine sites. The court has granted the Yindjibarndi people exclusive native title over the land on which FMG's $110 billion Solomon Hub sits. The group says they're now planning to sue the company founded by WA mining magnate Andrew Forrest for compensation.

Malcolm Turnbull says people with mortgages should prepare for interest rates to rise. The Prime Minister says the Reserve Bank has been signalling that in its recent statements. Today's brighter than expected employment figures even further underlined the possibility of a rise. But experts who help people who run into trouble servicing mortgage debt caution against hiking rates when power prices are so high.

Crucial details of the fatal police shooting of an Australian woman in Minneapolis have emerged at a slow trickle this week. Justine Damond was shot dead by an officer in Minneapolis after reporting a possible assault near her home on Saturday night. Since then, the officer who fired the shot has refused to testify, as an investigation into the death continues. A criminologist says information is always slow to emerge in cases like this, and that problem is a battleground for reform in the US.