Sharon Olalia

Australian coal-to-retail conglomerate Wesfarmers reported a net profit after tax of $1.9 billion for the full-year ended 30 June 2011, an increase of 22.8 percent on the previous corresponding period despite tough retail conditions.

Trading conditions and confidence in small business continued to deteriorate over the June quarter, with all the actual and expectation indicators for small business falling below their five year averages over the quarter, the August 2011 ACCI Small Business Survey shows.

Airport delays are likely on 19 August as quarantine workers take industrial action.

Silex Solar, the only Australian company which manufactures solar cells, will continue to manufacture solar panels at its Sydney Olympic Park plant. ABC earlier reported the company will stop making the cells at its western Sydney facility due to the "very tough market".

Qantas's CEO Alan Joyce has slammed the claims of unions about the airline's new international strategy that were announced on Tuesday.

Growers of apples in Australia are calling on consumers to buy local produce as they launch a retail fightback against the introduction of imported apples.

Major Australian bank Westpac Tuesday reported $1.55 billion in cash earnings for April, May and June, down about 2 percent on the average for the first two quarters. Reported net profit after tax for the same period was approximately $1.45 billion.

A Canadian woman received the greatest, most wonderful shock in her life when she discovered she is to have her dream wedding on the same day he popped the question. Colleen Freker, 32, was surprised by his boyfriend of 7 years Shawn Lippert after he proposed on August 13 at a beach side restaurant in Tecumseh and asked her to marry him the same day in front of 207 of their friends and family.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce’s new strategy will benefit Australia’s tourism sector, Tourism Australia says.

Qantas Airways has confirmed plans to set up a low-cost operation in Japan as it aims to increase its presence in Asia, the fastest-growing aviation market in the world.

Australia’s flagship airline Qantas has announced wholesale changes that will see the loss of 1000 jobs as it cuts international routes, retires four Boeing 747s and delays the delivery of six Airbus A380 superjumbos by up to six years.

EFTPOS Payments Australia Limited (ePAL), the company that manages one of Australia’s largest popular debit system, reiterated that its new interchange fees will not be passed directly on to the consumer or retailers.

Insurance Australia Group will acquire a 20 percent strategic interest in China-based general insurer, Bohai Property Insurance Pty Ltd (Bohai Insurance), for an estimated price of A$100 million or RMB687.5 million.

Virgin Australia launched on Monday its Capital Connect daily shuttle services between Canberra and Sydney, which offer up to 10 return services each day between the cities with guests receiving complimentary in-flight snacks and drinks.

Leighton Holdings Ltd (ASX: LEI) posted an after tax loss of $409m for the 2010/11 financial year, but targets to bounce back with its string of new projects on hand.

Newcrest Mining, Australia's biggest gold producer, has posted a 63 percent jump in its annual profit, driven by higher gold prices and the acquisition of Lihir Gold last year.

Scientists have successfully bent light beams around an object on a two dimensional metal surface, opening the door to faster and cheaper computer chips working with light. The demonstration that light can be made to bend on a flat surface has been the subject of fierce academic competition by research groups around the world, including groups from the USA, China, and Korea.

Brick company, Austral Bricks unveiled a giant 100 square metre brick mural in Craigieburn to celebrate the parade of Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans.

Virgin Australia pilots have secured pay rises of up to 28 percent. The Australian and International Pilots Association, which represent Qantas long-haul pilots, has today congratulated VIPA - the union representing Virgin Australia and V Australia pilots - and Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti for successfully negotiating the airline’s first enterprise agreement.

Australia's securities watchdog released on Friday a new guidance that demands more disclosure on some investment instruments that lures a lot of investors because of the promise of high returns.

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch gave his most explicit statement yet on who will succeed him as News Corporation chief and it is not James.

Solar technology set to revolutionise the Army's power needs has been developed by The Australian National University.

HP has decided to permanently cut the price on its TouchPad price by $100 a few days before its official launch in Australia. The TouchPad is due to go on sale through Harvey Norman on 15 August.

Telstra today announced it had returned to EBITDA growth in the second half, with the telco giant exceeding its guidance, and maintaining its 14 cent final dividend.

Supermarket chain Woolworths is taking grocery shopping to another level by launching an iPhone App that aims to make it easier to navigate through Woolies with an aisle ordered shopping list.

Australians campaigning for animal rights will rally across the country on Sunday, August 14, in support of legislation that will determine the future of the live export trade. This comes after the first shipment of cattle since the lifting of the live export ban to Indonesia left the Port of Darwin on Wednesday and the government announcing a new package of subsidised loans and grants to cattle producers affected by the suspension of trade.

Australia's unemployment rate climbed unexpectedly in July to its highest level since November 2010. The latest figures from the Australia Bureau of Statistics has prodded economists to cast a dim outlook that this may further worsen in the coming months if market conditions especially consumer confidence does not improve for the better.

Electrical goods and furniture retailer Harvey Norman has started laying off employees as it moves to shutdown down under performing Clive Peeters and Rick Hart Stores. Up to 100 staff could be out of work due to the Harvey Norman restructure.

As if lifting the suspension is not enough, the Australian Government has announced an extra $70 million in assistance for cattle raisers and other related businesses affected by the recent temporary suspension of live cattle to Indonesia.