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US panel backs MRI-safe pacemaker

2:34am Federal health experts are recommending approval for a Medtronic pacemaker designed to be safely used with MRI scanners.

Google sale left YouTube creators loaded

11:29am YouTube's creators walked away with hundreds of millions of dollars after the startup was bought by Google in 2006, according to released documents.

Retract report, Toyota tells TV network

9:34am Toyota has fired a missive to US television network ABC demanding it retract a report claiming Toyota's vehicles could speed up because of an electronics flaw.

Oil prices sink as US dollar strengthens

7:54am Oil prices dived on Friday as the strengthening US currency dampened investor sentiment for dollar-priced crude.

Germany adopts budget with record debt

7:19am Germany's parliament has approved a budget with a record level of new borrowing, as Europe's top economy seeks to bounce back from last year's recession.

Greece imposes high tax levy on Church

7:19am Greece is cracking down on major cash transactions and will impose a high levy on the Orthodox church in a scramble to boost tax revenue.

Boeing boosts production of 777s, 747-8s

7:04am Boeing says it will ramp up production of its 777 and 747-8 planes to support anticipated rising customer demand in a recovering airplane market.

ECB's Trichet warns of swaps misuse

AOIFE WHITE The European Central Bank's chief has warned that credit default swaps "should not be misused in a speculative manner."

Ausdrill wins $70m gold mine contract

Ausdrill Ltd has won a $70 million contract at the Bronzewing gold mine in Western Australia that is being brought out of mothballs by Navigator Resources Ltd.

Lloyds Banking Group expecting profit

Lloyds Banking Group says it expects to report a profit this year as trading has so far been strong and provisions for bad assets are not as large as forecast.

Resources sector activity 'to rise'

REBECCA LE MAY The number of merger and acquisitions (M&A) in the resources sector is expected to rise, driven by strong Chinese demand for raw materials, an expert says.

Gerard Lighting to raise $85m in IPO

Adelaide-based lighting supplier Gerard Lighting Group Ltd is seeking to raise $85 million from an initial public offer and hopes to commence trading in May.

Airport earnings 'uncertain'

Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service says the credit ratings of Australian airports are safe for now.

News Ltd unveils new editorial structure

David Fagan has been appointed editor-in-chief of Queensland Newspapers as part of a new editorial structure as News Ltd gears up to charge for online content.

Western Areas March quarter output up

REBECCA LE MAY Nickel miner Western Areas NL says it will likely exceed forecasts for March quarter production at its Flying Fox mine.

Amcor rejects estimate of damages

TREVOR CHAPPELL Packager Amcor Ltd has rejected an estimation of damages by an expert retained by claimants in a class action against Amcor over alleged price-fixing.

Samsung aims for sales growth

Samsung Electronics predicts a strong 2010 as economic expansion in advanced and large developing economies gains speed.

Hoki 1 well drilling delayed: NZOG

Repairs to the Kan Tan IV rig drilling the Hoki-1 exploration well off the Taranaki coast are taking longer than expected.

Cyclone may impact Macarthur forecast

Macarthur says it is uncertain whether its full year sales forecast will be affected by the suspension of services at the Dalrymple Bay coal export terminal.

Rio Tinto, Chinalco sign JV for Simandou

Mining giant Rio Tinto Ltd has struck a deal with Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) to develop the Simandou iron ore reserve in West Africa.

Lenders 'lift rates above RBA rises'

ALISON BELL Australia's lenders have lifted interest rates on mortgages by 0.22 percentage points above the RBA's interest rate rises since July, according to a website.

ERA tips stronger uranium prices

Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia Ltd (ERA) says the market outlook is positive, with stronger ore prices expected in the long term.

Fortescue upgrades Solomon estimate

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd has upgraded the estimate of iron ore at its Solomon Project by 300 million tonnes, allowing the miner to begin development.

Household finances a problem: report

The Australian economy is set to grow further in 2010, but household financial conditions are deteriorating, a report shows.

Petsec high bidder in block leases

Petsec Energy Ltd says its share price jump this week may be due to it becoming the apparent high bidder in eight lease blocks in the Gulf of Mexico.

'Significant gap' on NBN talks: Telstra

TREVOR CHAPPELL Telstra Corporation says there is a significant gap between it and NBN Co on the proposed financial outcome of the proposed national broadband network.

Sydney Airport posts traffic increase

In a further encouraging sign of a pickup in air travel, Sydney Airport has reported a double-digit increase in passenger traffic in February.

Arrow to release update on takeover bid

Shares in gas explorer Arrow Energy entered a trading halt as it prepares to release further information on the bid to take it over from Shell and PetroChina.

ASIC to discuss a resolution for Storm

ASIC has begun talks with victims of the collapsed investment group Storm Financial to determine if a commercial resolution can be reached for compensation.