Sharon Olalia

Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard confirmed today that one Australian resident in Christchurch was killed in the quake and said there are fears for more Australians.

The value of construction work done in Australia in the fourth quarter rose by 0.8 per cent in the December quarter, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Australian budget airline Jetstar has recommenced its scheduled domestic and international operations after Christchurch Airport reopened both domestic and international flights earlier today.

Conservation group Earthwatch Australia is calling on residents and families to join the bandicoot watch to help protect long-nosed bandicoots at North Head, Manly from extinction.

Insurance Australia Group (ASX:IAG), Australia's top home and car insurer, has revised its FY11 insurance margin guidance down to 8 to 10 per cent from 9 per cent to 11 per cent in the wake of the disastrous event in Christchurch, New Zealand.

A formal agreement was signed today for greater understanding and sharing of ideas between scientists in Australia and Mongolia. The deal to foster scientific exchange was inked in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The Australian government has doubled the number of urban search and rescue specialists being deployed to New Zealand to help with the Christchurch earthquake disaster.

One of the tallest buildings in Christchurch, The Grand Chancellor hotel, is on the brink of collapse following yesterday's devastating earthquake.

A passenger bus has crashed into a ditch near Marlborough, north of Rockhampton, about 1:30am (AEST) today. Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing.

Numerous people are trapped in buildings after a large 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch, only five months after the city was badly damaged by a 7.1 magnitude temblor.

Humanis Group Ltd (ASX: HUM) has entered into a binding share sale agreement with Springsure Mining Pty Ltd in which Humanis will acquire approximately 49 per cent of the issued capital of Springsure.

The Virgin Blue Group of Airlines (ASX: VBA) has ceased services to the New Zealand city of Christchurch today in the aftermath of the earthquake that has caused wide-spread damage.

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), is working with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to support the recently launched Dengue Vaccine Initiative (DVI).

Resource giant BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) has agreed to acquire all of Chesapeake Energy Corporation's (Chesapeake) interests in the Fayetteville Shale, USA, including the midstream pipeline system, for US$4.75 billion, which BHP Billiton expects to fund from the Group's cash resources.

Vix Technology, which manages the technology for metcard and numerous international transport ticketing systems, has offered the Victorian government a replacement for myki that will not cost taxpayers or government an extra cent.

Melbourne has moved from third to second spot as the most liveable city in the world in the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) latest ranking.

Hundreds of people have gathered on the Sydney Harbour foreshore to welcome massive ocean liners as they arrived today. Cunard’s newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, arrived in Sydney for the first time this morning, following her larger sister, Queen Mary 2.

Trade unions and the federal government have opposing stands over suggested reforms to Australia's apprenticeship system.

Increasing energy prices are impacting on businesses and the community, according to an Australian Industry Group report released today.

The Victorian underemployment rate reached a record high of 8 per cent in August 2009, according to an article released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The underemployment rate since decreased to slightly below 7 per cent in November 2010.

Recovering Japanese visitor numbers are prompting Air New Zealand (NZE: AIR) to operate Boeing 747-400 aircraft on the Tokyo route following five years of absence.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) boss Andrew Forrest will appeal the shock ruling on Friday by the Federal Court that could lead to him being banned as a company director for breaching the Corporations Act.

A 43-year-old Burleigh Waters man has been charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for importing 1.3 kilograms of gamma butyrolactone (GBL).

Caltex Australia Ltd (ASX:CTX), Australia’s only listed oil refiner, today announced an after tax profit of $318 million on a replacement cost of sales operating profit (RCOP) basis for the 2010 full year, excluding the impact of significant items of approximately $16 million after tax.

Businesses have continued to reap the benefits of an improvement in consumer spending, according to the latest Commonwealth Bank Business Sales Indicator (BSI) released today.

Treasurer Wayne Swan has an opportunity to help stop the price of basic foods surging further out of the reach of the world’s poor who are also still reeling from the Global Financial Crisis, Oxfam Australia said ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers’ Meeting that starts in Paris today.

Milk price facts are not in line with claims of Wesfarmers-owned (ASX: WES) Coles, according to dairy farmers in Australia.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX: FMG) has been cleared on 18 charges brought against the company and its subsidiary company, The Pilbara Infrastructure (TPI) by the WorkSafe WA.

Australians excluded from mainstream banks and services will be assisted to access fair and appropriate financial products, including loans, under a $6.27 million Australian government pilot launched overnight.