Sharon Olalia

Real estate investment company Mirvac Group (ASX:MGR) says it will take a $215 million provision against inventories because of slower than expected sales and oversupply and heavy discounting in regional markets.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX:CBA) has reported a rise in funds under management and administration, and insurance premiums in the December quarter.

Juice maker Charlie's Group has reported $21.9 million gross sales for the six month period ending 31 December 2010.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) says its Australian subsidiary has signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Kyushu Electric Power Co. for a portion of Chevron's offtake of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gorgon Project.

Record flooding continues to threaten homes and farmland across large parts of Australia.

Veteran broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson says it is only a matter of time before Australia became a republic.

Australia's inflation rate rose a less-than-expected 0.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2010 and 2.7 per cent from a year earlier, official data shows.

AUSVEG, the national peak industry body representing the interests of over 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers, today endorsed Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten's comments that no increase in the importation of vegetables was needed due to the ongoing floods in a number of states around Australi

Australia’s accommodation industry is confident there will be numerous benefits for the sector resulting from four just-completed screenings in the US of Oprah Winfrey’s Australian show.

Trading in the shares of Australian mining contractor Downer EDI (ASX: DOW) were halted on Monday pending an announcement about its troubled Waratah train contract with the NSW government.

The general insurance industry has now received 31,300 flood claims with an estimated insurable value of $1.2 billion, according to updated figures released today by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).

In addition to the previous $1 million announced on 1 January 2011, BHP Billiton is donating a further A$10 million to the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal to assist with Queensland flood relief and recovery efforts.

Ausfilm announced on Monday it has appointed Debra Richards as its new chief executive officer.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines launched on Monday an AFL-branded 737 plane to mark the beginning of its official partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL).

Australia's QR National estimates coal haulage will fall by as much as 20 million tonnes in the current quarter due to the recent flooding in Queensland state.

Air New Zealand (NZE:AIR) has acquired a substantial shareholding in Australian-based airline Virgin Blue (ASX: VBA).

Global miner BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) has reported record iron ore production and shipments for both the half year and quarter ended December 2010 despite the impact of ongoing tie-in activities related to its growth projects.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) has pledged another $1 million dollars to the Queensland Premier's Flood Appeal.

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) is providing a range of additional initiatives to support customers and local communities impacted by the devastating Queensland floods.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines (ASX: VBA) is working in partnership with Tourism Queensland following the floods to help bring back as much business as possible to local communities.

Defending men's champion Roger Federer finally defeated his nemesis Gilles Simon although it took him five demanding sets to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

BHP Billiton (ASX: BHP) has approved the increased capital expenditure for the Esso Australia-operated Kipper and Turrum projects in the Gippsland Basin, offshore Victoria.

Outdoor clothing and equipment company Kathmandu Holdings Ltd says its performance for the six months to January 31 is expected to be significantly ahead of the same period last year.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today re-iterated its call to local governments in Queensland to release detailed flood mapping data. This would allow more insurers to develop insurance products for the QLD market.

Simply Energy has suspended billing and collection activities and established a customer hotline for people in flood affected areas of Victoria.

Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) today bolstered its contribution to the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal to $2 million, to further assist flood victims in central and south east Queensland.

Retailer and coal miner Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) expects flooding in Queensland state to significantly reduce output at its Curragh coal mine until the March quarter, the company said on Wednesday.

Woolworths Ltd (ASX:WOW) and supplier Cenvil Ltd are recalling packets of Homebrand frozen lemon flavoured crumbed fish in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland following a potential product safety issue.

Former world number one Ana Ivanovic blamed an injury setback for her shock early exit from the Australian Open on Tuesday.