Komfie Manalo

Scientists from the University of New South Wales has provided the first conclusive evidence that cannabis use significantly hastens the onset of psychotic illnesses during the critical years of brain development - with possible life-long consequences.

Fresh data released by the Australian government has shown that the country's commercial interests in the African resources sector have grown significantly and tripled in the last few years.

A new study by Testra has shown that Australian parents have failed to teach their children with cyber skills despite spending a lot of money buying their kids with the latest gadgets.

Australian scientists believe that microalgal bloom in the Carama Creek caused the massive fish kill that off the New South Wales South Coast early this month. The scientists made the revelation after initial tests point to microalgal bloom as the likely cause of death for the thousands of fish.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout on Tuesday announced a slew of packages from the Federal Government to assist communities affected by the epic flooding.

Western powers should work on the assumption that Iran could have a nuclear weapon by next year and an Israeli intelligence assessment of 2015 could be over-optimistic, British Defense Secretary Liam Fox said on Monday.

The Premier of Queensland, Ms Anna Bligh and the Commonwealth Bank Group's Chief Executive Officer have announced a comprehensive flood assistance initiatives totalling over $57 million to help the Group's customers and communities affected by the recent floods that have occurred in Queensland, Victoria and other affected States.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore on Monday announced that the city's central business district (CBD) is starting to produce fresh crops as vegetable patches throughout the CBD has transformed the city as part of the 'Live Green' summer planting program.

Health authorities in Australia are advising parents of children with asthma to prepare back to school asthma action plans in anticipation of a spike in asthma cases at the start of the school term.

Australia's health department on Monday unveils its most hard-hitting campaign against tobacco use with a new advertising campaign graphically links smoking with lung cancer hit the airwaves and TV screens as the Gillard Government continues its world-leading action to combat tobacco use.

Fourth quarter (December 2010) results from Nielsen's Global Online Consumer Survey show that the Australian consumer has slightly lost their confidence, as a conservative drop of three points takes the Consumer Confidence Index score to 112 points (this compared to September's high of 115 (Chart 1)). But the latest score is still a good five points higher than the one recorded this time last year (107), and is still a positive result for Australia.

Leading Japanese and Chinese electronics firms NEC Corporation and Lenovo on Thursday announced a strategic partnership to create the largest PC group in Japan. The agreement aligns NEC, Japan's number one PC company, with Lenovo, the fastest growing top-five PC maker in the world. The new joint venture gives both Lenovo and NEC a unique opportunity to grow their commercial and consumer PC businesses in Japan, the third largest PC market in the world, through a stronger market position, enhan...

The Charles Sturt University has extended some leeway to students affected by the "epic" flooding, particularly in Australia's eastern states. In a statement, CSU said the school is extending sympathy and support to affected students and their families.

Australia's telecoms giant Optus on Friday reported that it has completed repair works in fixed residential network. However, the company said they are still repairing phone lines of customers that sustained water damage.

The Bank of China in London has partnered with technology giant IBM to transform the bank into a "green bank" by reducing paper consumption by 95% as well as improve the efficiency of conducting business.

A group of Australians on Wednesday called for the preservation of Australian English accents to safeguard the nation's identity despite the influx of electronic media and cultural icons from overseas. However, just as society changes, so too does accent as it constantly evolves to meet the changing needs of its users.

Students from the University of Queensland on Wednesday unveiled a blueprint with the aim of promoting Brisbane as a world class city.

Australian snowboarding athletes won three gold medals in the men's and women;s halfpipe events at the FIS Snowboard World Championships in La Molina, Spain, which ran from 14 to 23 January. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)/Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) athletes Nathan Johnstone and Holly Crawford have each claimed a gold medal in the men's and women's halfpipe events respectively.

Westpac Banking Corporation once again emerges as Australia's most favourite business bank despite declining customer satisfaction amongst the nation's four largest lenders since the since the November interest rate hike, research shows.

A study by the Policing Just OUtcomes (PJO), in collaboration with Edith Cowan University and the Victoria Police has revealed alarming insights into Australians view on rape and sexual assault victims.

A new survey by Testra has shown that grammar is back in fashion amongst Australian's as 50% of those polled find it objectionable receiving SMS that include abbreviations or emoticons, with 'totes' (totally), '4COL' (for crying out loud) and 'wut' (what) topping the no-go list.

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.

Australia's health authorities has warned the public against the dangers of mosquito borne diseases in flood areas due to favourable breeding conditions.

Westpac Banking Corp., New Zealand's second-biggest lender by total assets has announced plans for the sale of covered bonds as it expressed confidence foreign investors are still bullish of the country's economic strength.

The local government of the city of Sydney on Sunday ordered the deployment of 34 vehicles, as well as 30 specialists to assist in the cleanup operations in communities affected by the "epic" flooding in Brisbane and Queensland.

Australia's manufacturing sector declined in December as the PwC Australian Performance Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI) fell 1.3 points to 46.3 to remain below the 50 point level separating expansion from contraction. According to the Australian Industry Group which releases the index, the local manufacturing sector underperformed in December and there were few signs activity would pick up in the near term.

Data gathered from the Commonwealth Bank Performance Services Index (Australian PSI) shows that the local services sector continued its downward performance in December and was relatively flat during the month, up 0.2 points to 46.4 (readings below 50 indicate a contraction in activity). The index was released by the Australian Industry Group.

Latest date from the Australian Industry Group's Australian Performance of Construction Index (Australian PCI) in conjunction with the Housing Industry Association, has shown that developments in engineering construction mitigated effects in the national construction industry as it helped slow the rate of contraction in December. While lifting 1.6 points to 43.8, the seasonally adjusted index remained below 50 indicating a contraction in activity.

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.