AAP

The Australian market had its best day in nearly 18 months as investors decided its month-long slide had gone far enough.

Find a fault in the earth's crust and you could find some gold, Western Australian researchers say.

Japan's Mitsubishi says it will halt any further work on the $6 billion Oakajee port and rail development in the Mid West.

Debt-laden Elders has received at least one formal bid for its main rural services business and is working on securing a sale, following eight months of negotiations.

The Australian market has opened stronger, raising hopes of an end to the sharp slide in shares in recent weeks.

Google captured more than half of the $US8.8 billion ($A9.33 billion) spent on mobile internet advertising worldwide last year and is expected to boost its share in 2013, market watchers say.

The Australian dollar has surged to its highest point in a week with it looking less likely the US Federal Reserve will wind back its economic stimulus program.

US stocks gained their footing after a rocky start on Thursday to put on strong gains in their first positive day this week, shrugging off the 6.4 per cent plunge in Japanese markets.

Security screeners at Perth Airport's Qantas terminal have walked off the job for the second time this week over a pay dispute.

The Australian share market posted its 13th day of losses in 17th trading sessions amid worries about global economic growth and the winding back of stimulus packages.

An unexpected fall in the unemployment rate could see the Reserve Bank hold off cutting interest rates in July.

Many fly-in, fly-out  mine workers want a cap on rostered stints away from home, more support to maintain family obligations, and a loosening of accommodation camp rules.

The Australian market has continued its downhill run, opening more than half a per cent lower following falls on international bourses and worries about central banks' stimulus plans.

Rio Tinto has agreed to sell its Eagle project in the US to Lundin Mining Corporation for an estimated $US35 million ($A37 million) in cash.

The Australian dollar is higher after hitting a one-week high following the release of strong local consumer sentiment figures.

US stocks have fallen sharply in highly volatile trade, with the Dow posting its first three-day losing streak this year amid worries about central banks' stimulus plans.

Lynas Corporation is worried that it is giving away its rare earths products and has decided to draw a line in the sand for its own prices.

The Australian share market extended its losses on Wednesday as investors continued to move their money offshore amid concerns about a weak global economy

Iron ore miner BC Iron is on track to hit its 2014 full production target as the price of iron ore hovers just above $US110 per tonne.

Supermarket giant Coles has been wrongly labelling its bread as baked in-store, the competition watchdog says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has ramped up her bid to encourage Western Australia to sign up to the federal government's schools funding plan, pitching a more generous offer to Premier Colin Barnet

Former West Coast Eagle David Wirrpanda has finally committed to a tilt at federal politics, becoming a Senate nominee for the WA Nationals.

There was a sharp bounce in consumer confidence in June, but it may be short-lived.The Westpac/Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment in June rose 4.7 per cent to 102.2 points.

A new venue has been secured for a Labor Party fundraiser where comedian Ben Elton will quiz Prime Minister Julia Gillard, after a booking at a public school in Fremantle was withdrawn.

Gold miner Newcrest has defended the timing of its major restructure announcement and says it has not breached any share market rules.

Target has announced 260 jobs will go in a restructure of its business operations.

The Australian share market has opened more than half a per cent lower.

The Australian dollar is higher, after bouncing back a from heavy losses that saw it hit an almost three-year low overnight.

US stocks have ended the day solidly lower after the Bank of Japan's status-quo policy decision revived concerns about the winding down of central bank stimulus measures.

The Australian share market closed higher as cautious investors searched for higher yielding and defensive stocks.

Toyota insists it will stay in Australia after posting a $149 million profit, making it the only local car maker to be in the black.

Daily metropolitan newspaper The West Australian will cut 40 jobs as it undertakes a major restructure.