AAP

Lend Lease Group says the outlook for Australia is positive and it's well-placed to deliver growth, despite global uncertainty.

The Australian share market opened slightly higher despite a weak lead from Europe and Wall Street, as investors awaited firmer direction from central bankers.

US President Barack Obama could visit Australia in November.

Almost 70 per cent of Australians want a moratorium on coal seam gas projects until the environmental and health impacts are known, a Galaxy poll shows.

Gold rose on Thursday after two days of sharp declines, as tumbling European and US equity markets on talk that Germany might enact a short-selling ban prompted investors to buy bullion as a safe h

The Australian dollar was slightly lower following poor US jobs data and as the market waits for a speech from the US central bank chairman.

US stocks fell on Thursday, a day before Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke gives a much-anticipated speech that will offer hints of how the Fed may act to stimulate the ailing US economy.

PM's push for local talent – The Fin; Carbon tax 'risks power plants' – The West; Job cuts create a ripple effect – The Fin; Burrup suit casts doubt on loan – The Aus; Stokes merger vindicated – The West

Insurance Australia Group has forecast higher insurance margins this financial year as bigger costs brought on by natural disasters are covered by premium rises.

The Australian share market has closed higher, with investor sentiment buoyed by rallies on offshore markets, but pulled back slightly from earlier gains.

Qantas passengers could face delays tonight night as the carrier's engineers begin a fresh round of industrial action.

A key Western Australian resources group says fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workers will keep growing in numbers, allowing more people from other states to benefit from the state's resource projects.

The state government will look to tighten rules on unions' right of entry to workplaces following accusations of foot-dragging on industrial relations.

Oil and gas producer ROC Oil has posted a small half year net loss due to higher taxes, special levy charges and derivative losses, but says its full year production target is on track.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she won't be changing the minerals resource rent tax (MRRT) she negotiated with big resource companies last year, despite a push from the Greens.

Gold dropped four per cent on Wednesday as a sharp rise in US durable goods orders and uncertainty ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's speech to central bankers sparked bullion's biggest one-day drop in 2.5 years.

The Australian dollar will stay above parity and may go as high as 123 US cents, causing job losses in small- to medium-sized businesses, a survey shows.

James Packer’s Crown Limited has increased full year profit by 15 per cent, but the casino operator saw revenues drop significantly at its Burswood venue due to a drop in VIP play.

Apple's legendary co-founder and top ideas man Steve Jobs has resigned as chief executive, the company says, in a long expected move after he began a dramatic fight with cancer.

Construction giant Leighton Holdings has unexpectedly appointed a new chief executive, as well as a new chairman, a day after chairman David Mortimer suddenly stood down.

Woolworths has increased full year profit by 5.1 per cent as the country's biggest supermarket chain says it's well positioned in all its market segments.

The Australian share market has opened higher following a strong lead from Wall Street.

Rio Tinto has increased its stake in Ivanhoe Mines with a payment of $C529.5 million ($A511.7 million).

Iluka Resources has booked a first half profit due to higher mineral sands production and a jump in prices, and expects strong prices will continue amid tight supply.

US stocks rose Wednesday following an upbeat report on durable-goods orders and amid hopes that the US central bank chief might endorse new stimulus measures later this week.

Record profits for NW iron ore giants – The West; 'No sign' Aussie steel shut out – The Aus; DEC joins fight against SW coal – The West; Red tape cut in new green laws – The Fin; Super fund eyes half stake in premium Perth tower – The Fin

BHP Billiton's record $A22.46 billion net profit shows the need for a resources rent tax, Australia's lead mining union says.

Ports and rail operator Asciano has returned to a full year profit, boosted by more coal contracts in Queensland and fewer one-off charges.

The Australian share market closed flat, pulling back from earlier gains as investors awaited firmer direction from a global meeting of central bankers later in the week in the United States.

Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet should cut all his renewable energy policies before asking the states to do the same, Premier Colin Barnett said.

Western Australia's first fire commissioner will be "someone in uniform" and is unlikely to have links to the existing lead fire authority, Premier Colin Barnett says.

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke must delay his decision on heritage listing for the West Kimberley and not rely on a report based on "emotion rather than evidence", a key mining group says.