Sharon Olalia

The Federal, New South Wales and former Victorian Government’s have been funnelling taxpayer funds into organisations which have actively sought increases in the price of electricity, petrol, water and gas, reveals a report released today by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA).

Japan cut the outlook for its economy on Wednesday for the first time in six months, saying last month's devastating quake and tsunami would hurt growth, with no sign yet when the nuclear crisis they triggered might be brought under control.

Australian insurance companies sent their key officials to London last week to meet with sponsors and urge them to renew their July reinsurance contracts.

Citi has appointed Scott Southall to the role of Head of Global Transaction Services (GTS) for Australia and New Zealand.

Australian brand development powerhouse, lime door brands has signed a global deal with international burlesque star and fashion icon Dita Von Teese.

Experts today warned about the serious risk of health problems after the floods across Australia.

The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) is seeking clarification from Qantas management on behalf of the travelling public over whether the QF50, which made an emergency landing at Sydney airport today, was actually a Qantas flight or not.

Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) says its operations were affected by ongoing weather-related issues during the first quarter.

Australia’s access to dependable gasoline source is in threat as its oil refining capacity continues to decline.

Czech media chided President Vaclav Klaus on Tuesday after a viral Internet video showed him discreetly pocketing a ceremonial pen during a visit to Chile in what viewers are calling a theft.

Independent lawmaker Andrew Wilkie says he has received death threats as debate intensified about his proposal on imposing betting limits in slot machines.

But the money found in the ground wasn't all the family was hiding. UPI said investigators interrogated Lee's family and later recovered about $1 million in the rental car of his son and more than $100,000 in the family's apartment in Jeonju, North Jeolla province.

A key measure of Australian consumer confidence bounced modestly in April as people grew more optimistic on the economy for the year ahead and felt better placed to buy major household items.

Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has assured voters they will pay less to cut carbon discharges under Labor than the Coalition as he suggested that carbon tax compensation will be paid through the tax transfer system.

The Australian dollar’s upsurge has affected Foster’s beer business, subjecting the company to a shareholders’ vote by month end that will divide the company into halves. SABMIller shows interest on the great divide.

Almost 70 per cent of residential builders expect housing affordability to deteriorate over the next three years, according to new data.

Concern is growing among Australian builders on whether private sector demand will pick up in time to compensate for reduced public demand as government stimulus programs come to an end.

Queensland’s retail property sector will remain stalled following Premier Bligh’s announcement of a new infrastructure charges regime that will do little to unlock major development projects.

Shell Australia says it plans to convert its Clyde Refinery and Gore Bay Terminal in Sydney Australia into a fuel import terminal.

The Australian economy is emerging progressively from the slump caused by natural calamities and a severe shoot up in interest rates at the end of 2010.

The Fukushima nuclear crisis reached the highest level corresponding to the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Ever-increasing radiation provokes the government to widen the evacuation areas as after shocks continue to shake the nation’s main island of Honshu.

Shell Australia Chief Ann Pickard declared yesterday Shell is in no rush to decide on the trade of its 24 per cent share in Woodside Petroleum to BHP Billiton.

Leighton Holdings Ltd. (Leighton) received ‘BBB’ long-term and ‘A-2’ short-term corporate credit ratings from Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

An Australia-wide research study into fraud committed by bookkeepers has revealed new evidence of the size of the problem and its devastating impact.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) says it has entered into agreements with Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd to bring Shell into the Chevron-operated Wheatstone Project as a natural gas supplier and equity participant.

FBI’s online disclosure of its 64 year old memo on the infamous alien landing in Roswell, New Mexico produced a number of hits on YouTube videos showing the autopsy of the three aliens who died in the believed UFO crash or capture.

After completing a major review of its operations and asset base which has resulted in a revision of the profit forecast for the 2010/11 financial year, Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) says the group now expects to report a loss of $427 million for the financial year versus its previous guidance for a profit of $480 million after tax.

Assumption about BHP Billiton Ltd’s move on Woodside Petroleum Ltd after Royal Dutch Shell sold last year part of its share in the company, was proven by West Australian leader Colin Barnett.

Resource giant BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) says it has successfully completed of its off-market tender buy-back of its shares. T