Christine Gaylican

The sudden tightening of fiscal policy in China again is seen sending a new wave of tests on the inner strength of the Australian dollar and equity markets.

Credit ratings agency S&P has given a triple B+ rating on Australia's biggest gaming firm Tabcorp Holdings Ltd.

Tony Burke, the Federal Water Minister, has agreed to meet irrigation groups belonging to the Murray-Darling Basin tonight.

Christchurch City of New Zealand and its surrounding district were once again hit by a magnitude 5 earthquake, almost six weeks after the high intensity tremor rocked the island-nation.

Australian copper and gold mining firm OZ Minerals Ltd. said annual gold production will exceed earlier forecast by 10 percent based on third-quarter output rose to 51,451 ounces as of end-September.

A New York-based private equity firm has offered to acquire Australia's Perpetual Ltd. (ASX: PPT) for A$1.75 billion to take advantage of the higher yielding assets available.

External factors especially higher commodity demand from Australia's trading partners will further trigger the rise of the Australian dollar, which is still seeking parity with the U.S. dollar.

Working online has been the norm these days. As more and more do their transactions whether it's banking, retailing, advertising, and now even stocks and currency trading can now be done over the worldwide web or the Internet.

South Australian Premier Mr. Mike Rann is prepared to accept the results of his recent approval ratings, which dropped at 38 percent, taking into account the tight budgetary allocations.

The Australia Post plans to take advantage of the digital mailing craze and in 2011 targets to open an online retail store.

The planned joint venture between the two largest miners in the world reached another setback as BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) received another disappointment with the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO).

The appointment of Mr. Stephen Koukoulas as macroeconomic adviser Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's administration seeks to address the current economic situation in the country.

The Australian dollar is on the verge of reaching its parity with the US dollar since it was floated freely for more than 26 years.

The Australian banking sector has assured that there will be no changes in the way they do business in areas affected by the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin project.

Commonwealth Bank has given hints that it may increase interest rates even before the central bank makes its move to jack up cash rates.

Mr. Chris Bowden and his family, the new owners of Sunshine Coast's Big Pineapple have planned to restore the iconic landmark in Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Australian mining firm Indophil Resources NL is most certain that a Philippine-based partner for their world-class mining reserve project is the way to go.

As the world was awed by the successful rescue of Chile's 33-trapped miners, Chinese netizens have urged that similar safety and security measures should be put in place in China.

The Australian stock market is seen to benefit from the gains of the S&P 500 index and futures, which both bounced back reflecting the Federal Reserve's decision to ease up on its fiscal policy.

An upbeat sentiment in the domestic and global markets will once again give the Aussie dollar and the New Zealand Kiwi reasons to hit a new higher note in today's trading.

Australia's economic growth momentum remains on the upturn until the year 2011, the National Australia Bank's group chief economist Alan Oster said today.

Shares of ASX-listed mining firm Conquest Mining (ASX: CQT) has steadily climbed with the lifting of its trading halt that coincided with its announcement of securing a $45 million institutional placement.

The Australian dollar is still outperforming its peers as investors bet on higher yielding instruments and the U.S. equities are believed to boost Asian stocks.

Investments in gas-fired power plants may double and reach close to $15 billion in the near term if Australia starts to implement a stiff price on carbon emissions, Fitch Ratings said.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is expected to ease from its early rally this week, as investors are wary of China's economic performance. Analysts said though there will be a positive push from the turn of events in the US with the Federal Reserve's decision to temper its fiscal policy, this will not easily avert the dampened mood that may set in today.

Australia's economic growth may be eroded by local banks' preference toward household lending over business loans, a National Australia Bank Ltd. executive warned.

The Adelaide Airport had a brief security concern this morning when a man suddenly broke in with his car crashing into the tarmac. The man suspected of drunk-driving or mentally ill has been subdued by the airport police moments after the said incident.

As the country struggles to retain its global competitiveness but retaining its current energy production levels to sustain local industries, the Australian Parliament has chosen to put a price on coal emissions.

Business confidence remains high albeit a very slight tinge of wariness in the country's business sector. This is according to the latest of the National Australia Bank's quarterly business survey published today.