BUSINESS

Representing one of the most agriculturally bio-diverse nations in the world, India has become a primary target for biotechnology companies like Monsanto and Cargill to spread their genetically-modified (GM) crops into new markets.

Germany voted to support the European Stability Fund overnight, a welcome decision.

The 2011 Telstra Business Women's Awards have kicked off around the country, and three HR leaders are in the running to receive the prestigious title in front of business heavyweights.

Buried in last Friday's Stability Review from the Reserve Bank was yet another warning to banks and their investors not to be too optimistic about the outlook.

The volatile share market has seen self-managed superfunds dumping shares for quality commercial and industrial space in Melbourne’s city fringe following an outpour of deals in the past week.

Former Apple Chief Patent Counsel Richard Lutton told the Sydney Federal Court on Thursday that ex-Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs personally contacted Samsung in 2010 to fix their patent row.

- Supply side issues persist in copper- Oil prices expected to range trade- Updates on Australian developers and contractorsBy Chris ShawThe current focus in the copper market is on downside demand risks in China, the US and Europe but Macquarie suggests it is important to remember ongoing poor supp...

Minmetals Resources Ltd. of China is poised to buy Anvil Mining of Congo for $1.31 billion to secure copper mine production output in Africa amid the recent fall of the commodity's prices in the world market.

The U.S. Federal regulators announced on Wednesday International sports shoe line Reebok International limited will pay a total of $25 million refunds to its customers for false health claims over its EasyTone line sneakers.

Australian newspapers named on Friday the man caught on film having sex on Wednesday with his female partner on the balcony of a Darwin hotel. He is Wade John, former owner of the bankrupt Top End Escapes, a tour operator.

A superannuation umbrella group demanded on Thursday the sweeping ouster of the incumbent News Corp board led by Rupert Murdoch and his sons, charging that all six directors, were guilty of gross oversight in relation to the UK phone hacking scandal that made headlines in July.

American investment analyst James Dines criticised Australia's natural resources policy, particularly selling large land areas to China.

South Australian mortgage manager Loan Avenue is offering brokers the chance to win a drive of four Ferraris, promising that they will be able to 'return home and gloat'.

There has been no significant change to the ability of brokers to write genuine low-docs under NCCP, which has only stamped out more dubious forms of lending, according to Select Finance director Bruce Gibbons.

Homeloans has launched a new product it says will help brokers cater to a variety of credit profiles.

The taxes on a median new home in Sydney are more than $260,000, the HIA has claimed.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 143 points or 1.3% while the S&P finished up 0.8% to 1160 and the Nasdaq closed down 0.

After gaining considerable momentum throughout the domestic session yesterday the Australian Dollar traded as high as 0.9878 following strong gains on global equity markets as well as better than expected economic data out of the US.

New claims for unemployment insurance in the US (jobless claims) fell by 37,000 in the latest week to 391,000.

Flag carrier Qantas has warned passengers of possible travel difficulties because of the baggage handler and ground staff strike scheduled for Friday. The airline estimated about 8,000 passengers would be affected as the job walk-off would lead to the cancellation of two flights and delays by up to one hour of 39 flights.

New claims for unemployment insurance in the US (jobless claims) fell by 37,000 in the latest week to 391,000. Economists had tipped a result near 420,000 The US economy grew at a 1.3pct annual pace in the June quarter, up from the previous estimate of 1.0pct. US pending home sales fell by 1.2pct in August. And the Kansas City Fed index rose from +3 to +6 in September.

AFTERNOON REPORT (4.30pm AEST)The recent rally on the Australian share market came to an abrupt end today, although the losses weren't overly significant or surprising. US and European markets closed in the red overnight, as investors looked to square their books ahead of the end of the month and end of the September quarter. A lack of concrete and decisive action from European leaders also frustrated investors. The Australian market, which has gained around 4.5pct over the past couple o...

Australia’s building and construction industry is asking for major reforms in two key areas of the Australian taxation system, which it says have a substantial impact on housing affordability, and the supply of residential housing in Australia.

Apple is reportedly considering killing the iPod line. With the press invite for the iPhone5 out it seems the hardy iPod Shuffle and iPod Classic have been left out of the big hoopla once more.

Qantas warns that more than 8000 domestic and international passengers will have their flights disrupted tomorrow as customs and quarantine staff at Sydney's international airport are set to stage a protest on Friday.

Australian stocks fell today as investors played it safe waiting for the result of a German vote on whether to approve new powers for a European bailout fund.

A study by investment group Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS), forecasts that spending on so-called targeted media will rise by 7.1 per cent to $200 billion this year, as companies on a tight budget focus on their key customers.

Australia's competition regulator has approved a transpacific alliance between Qantas Airways and American Airlanes, the regulators said on Thursday.

Leighton Holdings subsidiary John Holland has been selected as the preferred tenderer for the construction of the $400 million proposed Connors River Dam to Moranbah Pipeline in Central Queensland.