AUSTRALIA

Researchers at a U.S. company trying to push the margins of stem cell research said on Friday they had grown human embryonic stem cells using a non-controversial method that did not harm the embryos.

H&R Block Inc., the largest U.S. tax preparer, on Thursday posted a fourth-quarter loss on the depressed value of a mortgage unit slammed by deterioration in the U.S. subprime market.

Morgan Stanley, a top Wall Street firm, has raised an $8 billion real estate fund through its property arm to focus on North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Oil prices eased on Tuesday, pulling back from a 10-month high posted in the previous session on concerns that a strike call in Nigeria could further cut crude output in the world's eighth-biggest oil exporter.

The world's largest mining group is considering a bid to rival a $28.7 billion offer for the aluminum giant.

Asian stocks rose to record highs on Monday on growing optimism about the U.S. economy, but diminished expectations for an imminent Japanese interest rate rise pushed the yen to an all-time low versus the euro.

Hedge funds, known for flexing their financial muscles around the globe but still largely shut out of China, hope the quickening pace of Beijing's reforms will open new gateways into the world's fourth-largest economy.

Oil and industrial metals prices extended the week's sharp falls on Wednesday on fears that rising interest rates will dent demand from investors and consumers.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia on Wednesday announced the extension of its Gen-i Australasia telecommunication services relationship to Feb 2009.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd., Australia's largest auto and home insurer, ended three year talks to buy a stake in China Pacific Property Insurance Co., saying the company's parent resisted the move.

GPT Group, one of Australia’s largest diversified property trusts, reported moderate March quarter growth on Wednesday, helped by increased consumer confidence and interest rate stability.

Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. (XFS: CCA) said it expects single digit earnings growth for 2007 despite rising costs.

Tattersall’s Ltd agreed to buy Golden Casket Lottery Corp. on Monday for $530 million, giving the firm a dominant position in Australian lottery sales.

Palm, Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) announced Friday it is introducing the Palm Treo 750 smartphone in Australia.

The FTSE edged up on Wednesday, led by sugar and sweetener maker Tate & Lyle and banking consolidation talk, but miners and oils limited gains as some commodity prices fell.

Water firm AWG said on Monday it has agreed a 2.2 billion pound takeover offer from Osprey, an investment group including Canadian, Australian and British firms.

Get ready for the bells and whistles - the Howard government is planning a $20 million advertising blitz to sell its Telstra float.

Federal ministers Amanda Vanstone and Kevin Andrews are at odds over plans by American Express to have Japanese workers take jobs at a Sydney call centre.

Macquarie Bank will invest $US150 million ($200 million) for a minority stake in the aircraft leasing arm of New York listed transport group GATX Corporation.

As more and more people turn to the Internet to pay bills and shop for goods and services, Dutch financial services group ING has carved out a lead in what was once considered the most elusive of online services: banking.

AWB could face terrorism-related charges amid claims some of its staff knew money being funnelled to Saddam Hussein's government could have been funding atrocities against his own people.