COMPANIES

Apple has announced that download from its iconic App store breached 10 billion apps by the more than 160 million iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users across the globe. The 10 billionth app downloaded, Paper Glider, was purchased by Gail Davis of Orpington, Kent, UK. As the winner of the App Store Countdown to 10 Billion Apps, Gail Davis will receive a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card.

India's state-owned metal and energy firms will decide this week whether they would combine their arsenal to counter the bid to Rio Tinto's $3.9 billion offer for Riversdale Mining Ltd.

The South Australian government has announced on Friday that additional workers were recruited by Holden for further deployment in the company’s Adelaide assembly plant.

The Australian Industry Group on Friday announced the launching of several practical measures to assist thousands of businesses affected by the flooding to get back on their feet and resume normal operations.

Australia's QR National estimates coal haulage will fall by as much as 20 million tonnes in the current quarter due to the recent flooding in Queensland state.

Air New Zealand (NZE:AIR) has acquired a substantial shareholding in Australian-based airline Virgin Blue (ASX: VBA).

Global miner BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) has reported record iron ore production and shipments for both the half year and quarter ended December 2010 despite the impact of ongoing tie-in activities related to its growth projects.

Giant telecommunication firm Telstra Corporation Ltd sets its sight on fresh sales and marketing approach following the impending departures of the telco’s two senior executives.

Australia’s two major airports on Thursday reported spikes on the number of passengers traveling through Melbourne and Sydney in 2010, with both terminal managements attributing the rise to record influx of Chinese and other Asian visitors flocking into the two Aussie cities.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has pledged another $1 million dollars to the Queensland Premier's Flood Appeal.

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) is providing a range of additional initiatives to support customers and local communities impacted by the devastating Queensland floods.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines (ASX: VBA) is working in partnership with Tourism Queensland following the floods to help bring back as much business as possible to local communities.

BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) has approved the increased capital expenditure for the Esso Australia-operated Kipper and Turrum projects in the Gippsland Basin, offshore Victoria.

Outdoor clothing and equipment company Kathmandu Holdings Ltd says its performance for the six months to January 31 is expected to be significantly ahead of the same period last year.

Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) today bolstered its contribution to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal to $2 million, to further assist flood victims in central and south east Queensland.

Retailer and coal miner Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) expects flooding in Queensland state to significantly reduce output at its Curragh coal mine until the March quarter, the company said on Wednesday.

Woolworths Ltd (ASX:WOW) and supplier Cenvil Ltd are recalling packets of Homebrand frozen lemon flavoured crumbed fish in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland following a potential product safety issue.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) says its subsidiary Thiess Pty Ltd has been awarded a six-year $1.3 billion contract to extend mining operations at Peabody Energy Australia’s Burton Coal Mine in Queensland’s resource rich Bowen Basin.

Global miner Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has set a new quarterly production record at 65 million tonnes and a new annual record at 239 million tonnes.

National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) has pledged $150,000 to the Red Cross Victorian Floods Appeal to assist Victorians affected by the floods.

Equinox Minerals Ltd (ASX:EQN) says it has successfully completed its $1.25 billion friendly takeover of Citadel Resource Group Ltd (ASX:CGG), which owns a copper mine in Saudi Arabia.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX:NHC) says its Queensland coal mines are back in operation, though the state's floods have inflicted significant damage to a major rail link.

Fortescue Metals (ASX: FMG), Australia's third-biggest iron ore miner, says ore shipments jumped 9 percent in the December quarter from a year earlier as it continues with its expansion plans in Australia.

Woolworths (ASX: WOW) has reached a current total donation of $10 million for the Salvation Army flood appeal, with three shopping days still to go.

Construction giant Leighton (ASX: LEI) says its subsidiary Thiess Pty Ltd has been awarded a major coal seam gas upstream infrastructure contract in Queensland.

Agrichemicals company Nufarm Ltd (ASX:NUF) says it will fight legal proceedings vigorously after law firm Slater & Gordon Ltd (ASX:SGH) filed class action proceedings against it.

Spanish building giant ACS has secured regulatory clearance from the European Union to take control of Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX:LEI) parent, Hochtief.

Transfield Services (ASX:TSE) says it has secured two new defence industry contracts totaling A$68 million.

Resource giant BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) is refocusing on organic growth after a string of failed high-profile takeover attempts.