Sharon Olalia

Leighton Holdings (ASX: LEI) said today its subsidiary John Holland has won the contract to deliver the enhanced land force (ELF) stage 2 works at the Singleton Army Base in NSW by the Australian Department of Defence. The construct only contract is valued at approximately $110 million.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has appointed Michele Bullock as assistant governor (currency), one of six assistant governor positions in the central bank.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN) has initiated its uranium business in Canada and entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Aurora Energy Resources Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fronteer Gold (TSX:FRG, AMEX:FRG).

Australian gas giant Santos (ASX: STO) has successfully completed its fully underwritten A$500 million institutional placement at A$12.55 per share.

Oil and gas explorer Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) has increased its relevant interest in Impress Energy Ltd (ASX: ITC) to above 60 percent, as a result of continued strong on-market acceptances by Impress shareholders.

Consultant engineer Coffey International Ltd (ASX:COF) today announced it is going to simplify its organisation structure and further reduce operating costs to bring the company into line with fee revenue. Approximately 100 positions will be made redundant.

Conditions are looking more positive for Australian businesses, despite stalling consumer spending, according to the latest Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) Business Sales Indicator (BSI) released today.

Australian energy firm Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) has flagged a $500 million to $1 billion equity raising to fund its Gladstone LNG project after signing a deal with state-run Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS).

The government's metropolitan plan for Sydney 2036, which reveals that the city needs 770,000 more homes, lacks clear targets and implementation strategies, according to Australia's peak body for the residential construction industry.

Anglo-Australian Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) said production at its New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd subsidiary was being cut by about 5 percent due to high electricity prices.

The Australian competition watchdog has given the go-ahead to South African-based Aspen Pharmacare Holdings to buy Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:SIP) pharmaceutical's division for $900 million.

Hastings Funds Management Ltd, as responsible entity for the managed investment schemes comprising the Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF), today announced the execution of a binding agreement to sell its interests in South East Water (SEW) to global asset manager CDPQ.

The Australian dollar has opened slightly higher this morning, regaining ground lost late in the offshore session.

Copper mining company Equinox Minerals Ltd (ASX: EQN) announced today that it has a relevant interest in Citadel Resource Group Ltd of 56 per cent and that its recommended takeover offer for Australia-based metals and gold mining company Citadel has been declared free of all defeating conditions.

Consumer inflation expectations declined to a 4 month low, capping the Australian Dollar at 0.9875 US Dollars during the morning session.

US jobless claims fell by 3,000 to 420,000 in the past week. The four week moving average of claims - considered to be a better measure of labour market trends - fell for the sixth straight week to a two-year low.

U.S. stocks rose Thursday, following generally upbeat economic data and as global bellwether FedEx delivered an optimistic full year forecast.

The NSW government has approved the expansion of Sydney's $6 billion Barangaroo development to include a controversial hotel.

Global miner Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) expects the total gross proceeds for the divestment of the majority of Rio Tinto Energy America will be at least US$2.0 billion.

Brockman Resources Ltd (ASX: BRM) says it is in advanced negotiations with Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) for an end-to-end rail haulage, port access and marketing service for its wholly-owned Marillana Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.

Victorian energy consumers sought out competitive market offers as prices of electricity and gas continued to hike in 2009-10, according to a report issued today by the State's energy regulator.

Macarthur Coal (ASX:MCC) has cut its first-half profit guidance by 18 per cent after wet weather affected coal mining operations and due to a stronger Australian currency.

The world's top explosives maker Orica Ltd (ASX:ORI) has confirmed it expects its profit in fiscal 2011 will rise from a year earlier.

Spanish construction company Actividades de Construccion y Servicios (ACS) has raised its takeover bid for Leighton Holdings Ltd's (ASX:LEI) parent Hochtief, a few hours after the German builder recommended that shareholders reject a lower offer.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has given the go-ahead for the proposed trans-Tasman alliance between Air New Zealand (NZE:AIR) and Virgin Blue (ASX:VBA).

SITA Environmental Solutions, a joint venture between France-based Suez Environnement and Singapore's Sembcorp Industries, has acquired the NSW government's waste services firm, WSN Environmental Solutions for $235 million.

Consumers remain confident, but are likely to hold out on spending, the peak body representing Australia's leading retailers says.

Ten Network Holdings Ltd (ASX:TEN) has appointed Grant Blackley as chief executive officer of Ten Holdings effective immediately.

Mineral explorer Conquest Mining Ltd (ASX: CQT) has given the formal approval for the development of the Mt Carlton Project in North Queensland following the positive results achieved in the project's optimisation study.