Commenting on the spate of suicides by Chinese workers at the Foxconn factory for the first time, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said in a recent statement that the factory complex “is not a sweatshop,” as the reports claim. Jobs’ comments came during his address at the D8 conference - an annual gathering of top technology executives.

It has been reported that Diversified explorer Cazaly Resources has signed an agreement with Leighton Contractors subsidiary HWE Mining to develop Parker Range iron ore project at Yilgarn, Western Australia.

According to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, inspite of the rise in interest rates by the Reserve bank of Australia, ANZ's has increased its profits by 0.867 per cent to $179.02 million while Westpac expanded its book by 0.726 per cent to $101.84 million.

Grocery and liquor wholesaler Metcash Ltd has reported a 12.4 per cent rise in annual net profit and anticipated up to eight per cent earnings growth in the current fiscal year.

Metcash, said on Tuesday, net profit for the year to April 30 was $227.6 million, up from $202.5 million in the previous corresponding period.

With some capital cities posting falls and others just marginal gains, HOME prices have skidded to a halt in April.

The RP Data-Rismark Hedonic Home Value Index released yesterday showed national average growth for dwellings of 0.2 per cent, after a 1.3 per cent rise in March, The Australian reported.

Deutsche Bank, An international investment Company, has taken a major stake in Tasmanian timber Company Gunns.

Last week, The German bank bought 44 million shares or 5.5 percent of Gunns, according to a stock exchange report.

Deutsche Bank, which is based in Frankfurt, has purchased the Gunns shares through its London Branch.