AAP

US stocks took a jump in the last 15 minutes of trade on Friday to end mostly in the black, with little hard news to direct trade as talks in Washington over a fix to the fiscal cliff continued.

Australia have made a dream start in their quest to seize the No.1 world ranking after Michael Clarke's new-look pace attack skittled South Africa's top order on day one of the third Test in P

The Australian dollar is lower, on increased expectations of a rate cut from the central bank next week.

Australian stocks climbed today, driven by the major miners on the back of strong commodity prices.

Independent MP Rob Oakeshott has thrown down the challenge to commonwealth and state treasurers to sort out the issue of the mining tax and royalties, and put politics "in the back pocket".

The federal government has decided not to allow a fourth commercial free-to-air television network.

Air fares continue to be under pressure in Australia as Qantas fights for a bigger share of the domestic passenger market.

Australian households could get an early Christmas present in the form of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia - but it will be a close call.

Economists say weaker exports and government spending cuts have been slowing economic growth.

Hanlong Mining's proposed takeover of Sundance Resources could be completed by Christmas after turmoil on financial markets forced the Sundance board to curb its price and timetable for the transac

The $51 million Murchison Widefield Array radio-telescope has been launched, boosting the nation's rapidly advancing radio-astronomy capabilities.

Western Australian rare earths miner Lynas Corporation has finally begun production at its Malaysian processing plant following a recent court victory.

Agriculture Minister Terry Redman can't shed light on reports a Chinese agricultural giant could buy up to $4 billion worth of prime farmland after snapping up some 30,000 hectares in the past mont

The Australian market has opened higher, led by gains for the mining giants and optimism about the US economy.

Two top businessmen have been honoured by Australia for their contributions to the nation's resources and car industries.

US stocks have closed higher, helped by an expected strong upward revision in the US economic growth estimate for the third quarter.

The Australian dollar is higher as traders shrugged off a weaker domestic capital expenditure outlook and focused on positive comments about US debt negotiations.

A barge carrying nearly 2,000 tonnes of construction equipment has run aground on the coast near Cervantes, as emergency services frantically respond to storm damage across the state.

Australian shares closed firmer after encouraging comments by US politicians about avoiding the "fiscal cliff".

The bid to reduce general government sector spending in Western Australia is off to a bad start, rising 3.9 per cent in the September quarter compared to the same period in 2011.

Two Western Australian Liberal senators have broken ranks with their colleagues in declaring their support for a Labor bill to finalise the deregulation of wheat exports.

Australia is an "embarrassment" in the Asian region, a tourism conference has heard.

Property developer Stockland's incoming chief executive Mark Steinert is concerned that Australia's sluggish housing market is weighing down earnings.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott called for a judicial inquiry into the 20-year-old AWU "slush fund" affair, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard sought his apology for claims she had breached the law.

Stronger than expected business spending figures will give a boost to next yesterday's national accounts but economists doubt this will stand in the way of further interest rate cuts by the central

Australia's housing sector posted a mild rise in October, with new home sales lifting after three months of falls.

A union has accused Qantas of censorship after the airline pulled a series of in-flight advertisements promoting jobs for Australians in the mining sector.

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser says he does not expect any significant increase in iron ore prices soon, following a year of heavy falls in Australia's biggest export earner.

The Australian market is slightly higher after US politicians indicated they were willing to work together to ensure the economy didn't fall off the "fiscal cliff".

Julia Gillard's position as prime minister is "entirely untenable" following fresh revelations concerning her work as a lawyer almost 20 years ago, the opposition says.

US stocks scored solid gains on Wednesday, spurred by encouraging remarks by politicians on averting looming tax hikes and spending cuts that could harm the economy.