Christine Gaylican

Consumer confidence in Australia is far higher in the rural areas than those in the urban parts these past two to three months. This has been revealed in the the Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index published today.

Asian regional markets are mixed in the last hours of trading in Australia, Singapore, and Japan as investors kept a "wait and see" attitude and bearish sentiments spilled from European and U.S. markets.

Microsoft Bing is seen overtaking Google as more users are making the switch to the Bing powered research on the Internet.

The International Monetary Fund is still optimistic the Australia's economic growth will be sustained by mining and other private investments pouring into the country.

Australian renewable energy company, CBD Energy (ASX: CBD), has disclosed to the ASX it would finalise its joint venture with two of China's largest renewable energy companies and pursue A$6-billion worth of renewable energy projects in the coming years.

To secure Australia energy supply requirements, the government has declared its largest area for offshore petroleum exploration in more than a decade.

Workers at the Royal Dutch Shell BV's fuel refinery at Clyde and Gore Bay Terminal in Greenwich, Sydney, NSW are in danger of losing their jobs as the company would likely convert its facility to a fuel import terminal.

Australia is closely watched by other countries in the Asia-Pacific as to how it will implement a very tough anti-smoking law that seeks to discourage the habit and promote a more healthy lifestyle.

Barely a month after his announced retirement from the Macquarie Group, chairman David Clarke has succumbed to his lingering illness today at age 69.

Mining experts are convinced that the global supply deficit could further push copper prices higher until the year 2013 to the benefit of mining companies world-wide, mining experts attending the CRU World Copper conference in Sanitago, Chile said today.

Women with weight problems, particularly those dealing with obesity, are warned of the possible pregnancy risk and health concerns for their future babies.

A security breach at the Qantas domestic terminal in the Melbourne Airport has prompted the evacuation of passengers this morning causing some delays for thousands of passengers.

Australia's Rio Tinto Mining Ltd has strengthened its bid obtaining 49.49 percent of all the shares of Riversdale Mining Limited (Riversdale), the company announced late Wednesday.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has kept its benchmark interest rates at the highest level of 4.75 percent as typhoon floods continue to hamper coal mining in the Northeast and the competitive currency eases inflation fears.

Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) has been informed that there is a big possibility that its proposal to $8.4-billion take over the local Australian bourse will be rejected by Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan.

The performance of Australia's services sector declined further in March, as both the retail and transport industries slackened for the fifth consecutive month.

The allure of online retailing has befallen Australian billionaire James Packer as he reportedly made investments in DealsDirect.com.

The Australian daughter of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos was haunted by her past and claimed to have been axed in a reality TV show in spite being discreet and with unquestionable talent.

Dealing with the government and private sector in countries Australia and Singapore were perceived to be the least tainted with corruption, a new survey made by Hong Kong-based Political & Economic Risk Consultancy, Ltd.'s (PERC) latest Asian Intelligence report indicated.

Beginning on 1 May, smoking in public places will not be allowed in China's cities and towns.

Losing to rival party in New South Wales, Australia's Labour Party now faces the prospect of having tougher times seeing the taxes on carbon emissions and mining profits legislation getting approved.

Australian logistics firm Brambles Ltd has announced that it has received final approval from the United States authorities to proceed with its A$1.24-billion acquisition of plastic container pooling service IFCO Systems NV.

The cities of Beijing and Chongqing, China have recently issued a rule banning outdoor advertising that tends to promote high-end lifestyles and may trigger social unrest.

Japanese authorities will distribute bottled water to some 80,000 families dislocated by the earthquake as that tap water may not be safe for drinking in areas near the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Following the move of the United States, Australia also imposed restrictions on some food products from Japanese prefectures near the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant.

Australia and New Zealand are among the top countries with remarkable governments maintaining "fiscal responsibility" in spite an era of budget deficits and debt restructuring.

Qantas Airways has announced that it would further increase domestic, regional, and trans-Tasman flights for the second time after the forward adjustment made in February due to higher fuel prices.

The United States is the first nation to suspend food imports of milk, vegetable, and fruits from Japan areas hit by the tsunami and close to the ailing Fukushima nuclear power plant, northeast of Tokyo.

The Japanese government is considering setting up a more organized agency to oversee the country's rehabilitation efforts after the devastating earthquake, a senior official said today.