AAP

Woodside Petroleum has signed a preliminary agreement with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to help finance future liquefied natural gas projects.

US stock markets are closed as Hurricane Sandy nears landfall on the heavily populated east coast and parts of New York City's financial district were evacuated.

Asbestos found in the roof at Fremantle's major police station has forced officers to relocate.

The Australian dollar has been boosted by better than expected US economic growth figures that helped turn around market sentiment.

Agribusiness and automotive interiors supplier Elders wants to sell its biggest business unit, its rural services business, before someone tries to take it over.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has avoided opposition calls to directly guarantee there will be a budget surplus this financial year.

The Australian share market closed a touch higher as investors sold off shares ahead of some major annual general meetings this week.

Ramelius Resources expects to reach full production at its flagship Mt Magnet operation by the end of the year after boosting gold production by 15 per cent in the quarter.

A new species of lizard has been discovered in sand dunes outside Perth but scientists fear it faces extinction with urban sprawl rapidly closing in.

Greed triumphed over diligence when investors were promised unachievable returns by the now collapsed agribusiness group Great Southern, a court has heard.

Electricity consumers should be paid for reducing their energy use during "super-peak periods" as a way to cut energy bills, a new alliance of business, community and consumer groups says.

Vodafone will axe 500 jobs as the telco attempts to revive its ailing Australian business.

Growing Australian interest in Halloween is making the quintessentially American celebration as important for retailers as Easter and Christmas, the peak retailers' group says.

The Australian market has opened higher as investors correct a late sell off before the weekend.

Foreign investment in Australia is being inhibited by its strong dollar and perceptions about its attitude to offshore investment, according to the latest Global Ambition survey.

More reports of falling earnings and slashed forecasts sent US stocks lower for another week, with uncertainty over the November 6 election and what will follow, policy-wise, increasingly holding i

The world's largest private sector coal miner Peabody Energy has become the latest global giant to attack Australian governments for policies they say threaten the industry.

The Australian dollar has closed weaker in-line with regional market and currency performances, and ahead of a crucial reading for US growth.

The Australian share market has closed lower on fears that US markets will react badly to the latest earnings figures from iPad and iPhone maker Apple.

Job cuts and lower costs helped investment firm Macquarie Group overcome subdued financial markets to increase its first half profit.

Mining giant BHP Billiton admits some jobs are likely to go at its Nickel West operations near Leinster.

Chinese investment in Australia has declined since 2009 while Australian investment in China almost tripled, a new report shows.

Australia's existing renewable energy target for 2020-2030 should be retained, the Climate Change Authority has recommended.

The state government has dismissed claims that the state's resources-sector regulator has formed an unhealthy relationship with new-style gas miners.

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings says it still expects to increase earnings this financial year despite weaker economic conditions impacting some of its businesses.

Buru Energy says it has stopped work at its Ungani oil project in Western Australia after traditional owners claimed it had destroyed a significant Aboriginal archaeological site.

Australian stocks opened flat after mixed leads from Wall Street and European markets.

BHP Billiton has called for government collaboration in a bid to ease regulatory pressure on the mining sector amid continued volatile global markets.

US stocks have made modest gains as durable goods orders and weekly unemployment claims came in better than expected and Procter & Gamble earnings beat forecasts.

The first indigenous woman elected to an Australian parliament has come out swinging against Browse gas hub opponents, saying the Broome community is not divided over the proposal and it's only a s

The state government has passed amendments to its building legislation introduced earlier this year, saying the changes will minimise delays and cut unnecessary red tape in the approvals process.

The Australian dollar has hit a one-week high, amid increased optimism about the Chinese economy and reduced expectations of further domestic interest rate cuts.