BUSINESS

The Australian unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percentage points to 5.1 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in August, according to official data released today.

Australian car maker GM Holden Ltd is all set to add a second assembly shift on its Adelaide factory as the company announced on Thursday that 50 more production jobs would be recruited to fill up the afternoon duties that would commence churning on November 15.

The consumers watchdog goes to court in order to stop a unit of south-east Asia's biggest phone operator Singapore Telecommunications Limited from running misleading advertisements.

The US Department of Transport (DOT) has disapproved on Wednesday the proposed Virgin Blue Holdings Ltd and Delta Air Lines partnership on trans-Pacific service routes, stating that the riding public would be disadvantaged by the carriers’ immunity from US anti-trust regulations.

Two recently merged bureaus tagged the mineral and energy exports during the June 2010 quarter as the second highest on record.

Following three days of retreat, crude oil soared back by up to 1.8 percent as the dollar and equities picked up some gains and further pushed the lingering allure of commodities to investors as the other pot for securing their money.

Ten years after the 2000 Olympics, Sydney faces the competition with Melbourne for the role of the top city in the country. GREATER Sydney Partnership founding chairman Peter Holmes a Court is getting the ball rolling for uplifting the city's appeal on people around the globe.

With continental equities in the US and Europe surging back in recovering losses registered in the previous day, demand for gold futures slid back a bit on Wednesday as investors picked up some confidence on concerns about European sovereign finances.

The proposed global bank reforms are designed to prevent another financial crisis. However, increasing the liquidity of the banks draws in dangers for depositors.

Former BHP Billiton head Don Argus will be protecting the Australian mining industry as he chairs the mineral resources rent tax (MRRT) consultation panel.

The seven-week stall on the National Broadband Network (NBN) Company's work seems to be enough to prepare the company for a redirection.

European and U.S. markets closed higher during overnight's trading, thereby, raising hopes for a strong trading in the Australian share market today.

The US Federal Reserve Beige Book - a summary of conditions across Federal Reserve districts - reported ´´widespread signs´´ of a slowdown in economic activity.

The Aussie dollar held firm in Asia yesterday despite a negative lead from offshore markets during the previous sessions trading between 0.9100 and 0.9130 for the majority of the day.

Australian fashion designer Dana Mathers has been credited with leading a new fashion trend in the US.

The Australian currency recuperated on Wednesday as it attracted steady demand below 91 US cents, helping it withstand losses in Asian stocks.

The Australian stockmarket closed in negative territory on Wednesday, with financials and miners dragging down the market.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) housing finance data released before noon indicates a relatively weak demand for housing.

The Australian currency was lower at Wednesday noon after poor offshore trading overnight carried over into the local session.

The Australian stock market was weaker at Wednesday noon, following a slide on Wall Street, but wine manufacturer Foster's Group Limited (ASX: FGL) was soaring on takeover news.

Well-known wine manufacturer Foster's Group Limited (ASX: FGL) rejected an offer from an international private equity firm to buy 100 percent of the wine assets of Treasury Wine Estates.

Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Australia announced today that they have initiated a safety recall on its top-selling HiLux ute.

Perth-based mining firm Mirabela Nickel Ltd (ASX: MBN) said on Wednesday that it is set to raise about $US152 million or $A167.08 million to fund its debt repayment dues and growth plans, with some allocations for the company’s operational expenditures.

The rising skills shortage in information and communications technology (ICT) has given birth to a new recruitment service in the nation's capital.

Australia's quarterly energy and mineral resource export earnings climbed 41 per cent to the second-highest, according to government data released today.

The Australian Industry Group (AiGroup) welcomes the end to a two-week political uncertainty. Yet the business group calls for stakeholders other than the independents and the Greens to participate in governance.

A surging demand for Australian wheat could mean a continuing increase in export prices.

Crude oil saw its prices declining again for two straight days on Tuesday as global markets were rubbed in by the jittery European economic conditions with the Euro losing out to the mighty dollar as investors continue to shun the continent on worries of further debt crisis-related financial issues.

The elderly and the superannuation industry would most welcome an increase in the superannuation guarantee (SG) levy because it will mean more than 10 percent in retirement income.