Erik Pineda

Pay TV operator Foxtel said on Thursday that its operations’ saw a double-digit jump in 2009/10 amidst slow downs in attracting new subscribers for Australia’s biggest cable network.

Power generator AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGK) sealed a deal with New Zealand’s Meridian Energy to build a $1 billion 420 MW wind farm in Victoria, set to commence operation by 2013, according to a Thursday statement furnished by the energy company.

Giant beverage firm Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL) announced on Thursday that it has netted high earnings from its first half operations this year, garnering some $212.7 million from the first six months leading to the end June and improving by 12.1 percent from the net profit posted in the previous corresponding year.

Following its announcement of interim dividend non-payment for the full year 2009/10 in order to retain funds and finance growth projections in the United Kingdom, ThinkSmart Ltd shares plunged by more than 13 percent on Wednesday.

Once re-elected, the Labor-led government will work on a legislation that will create a unitary regulatory body for Australia’s oil and gas industry.

The Australian operations of street wear specialist Ed Hardy has entered voluntary administration as financial adviser Deloitte announced on Wednesday that the clothing company succumb to sales slowdown.

Toyota Motor Corporation joined the global sanctions against Iran as it announced on Wednesday that it is halting all auto shipments into the country as the international community steps up its efforts to dissuade the pariah nation from pursuing its nuclear program.

Uranium miner Extract Resources Ltd (ASX: EXT) revealed on Wednesday a tenfold resource upgrade on its Rossing South project in Africa, elevating the site project as the world’s fifth biggest established reservoir of uranium so far.

Fortescue Metals Group chair Andrew Forrest told businessmen gathered in Tasmania on Wednesday that the revised mining tax being pushed forward by the Labor-led government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard only favoured Australia’s big three mining firms.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard is all set on face off confrontation with opposition leader Tony Abbot on Wednesday and she carries with her some potent ammunition in the form of a pledged $2.1 billion rail services repair projects in Western Sydney.

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) announced on its website Wednesday that it is withdrawing from the alliance that challenges the federal government’s proposed plain packaging for retailing cigarettes.

Call them strange bedfellows but Blackfeather Ltd and AdultShop.com (ASC), both firms catering to adult entertainment needs, are set to collaborate on a steamy deal as ASC announced on Tuesday that it is taking over Blackfeather’s Stiletto brothel operation.

IT consultancy firm Oakton Ltd (ASX: OKN) reported on Tuesday that it saw a 42 percent spike on its full-year profit as the company recuperates from the debilitating effects of the worldwide economic downturn.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ordered the Australian government to revise its stringent restrictions on imported New Zealand apples, arguing that the measures were inconsistent with scientific evidence.

Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC) announced a profit windfall on Tuesday as it netted a total of $US44.2 million in the six months leading to June 30, as against the measly $US4 million it posted in the previous corresponding period.

Japanese firm Honda Motors Ltd announced on Monday that it will recall some 427,000 vehicles across the United States and Canada due to faulty ignition locking device that allows the removal of the key, even in a non-parking position.

Software management specialist Reckon Ltd (ASX: RKN) announced on Tuesday that the company’s first half net profit for the current year soared by 44 percent to $8.85 million, coming from the $6.15 million it netted on the previous corresponding year.

To better serve its three geographical divisions’ operational structure, QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) said on Monday that it is implementing management shake up for the company’s major executives.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said on Monday that up to 120 workers suffered job losses when a Brisbane rail factory relocated to China as the union warned that more job cuts can be expected with more manufacturing companies opting to outsource their contracts.

Following its two-hour rolling work stoppages last week, the University of South Australia staff union announced on Monday that a new round of four-hour work stoppages would be observed starting Tuesday morning.

Managing to reduce the high funding costs it incurred last year, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) subsidiary, Rural Bank Ltd reported on Monday that its full year net profit jumped by 23 percent thanks to the bank’s much better interest margins in the same period.

About half of Australian business leaders are doubtful that the country is heading the right way on a number of policies and chief among their concerns were infrastructure priorities and superannuation guarantees.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said on Monday that it is currently studying the revised proposal submitted by the National Australia Bank Ltd (NAB) for the acquisition of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings.

Electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi announced on Monday that it has achieved a 26 percent jump on its full year profit as the company predicted that overall sales for the rest of the year would slow a bit and steady at 17 percent to close down the current year.

Celebrity shoe provider Jimmy Choo is reportedly considering a potential sale of the business floating an asking price of $A869.11 million and as reported by the Sunday Telegraph over the weekend, the company is seeking out investment banks for further determination of its business options.

Traditional land owners of the aboriginal Arnhem Land called on the Northern Territory government on Friday to halt the planned off coast manganese exploration projects by a company until such time that actual consultations have already been conducted with them.

Mineral explorer Aurox Resources Ltd (ASX: AXO) announced on Friday that the company’s shareholders gave its overwhelming approval on the proposed merger with Atlas Iron Ltd (ASX: AGO) to the tune of $143 million.

Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan said on Friday that the new monetary policy statement of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is a solid testament to the country’s stable financial condition, in its observation that Australia emerged from the economic downturn in a much better shape than most economies.

Sleep management specialist ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) said on Friday that it achieved record revenue and income for the financial year 2009/10, reporting an operating income of $US240.4 million and a net income of $US190.1 million for the 12 months leading to June 30