AAP

New worries about a second recession in the United States and Europe, prompted by an investment bank report, sent US stocks into a new sharp fall on Thursday.

Greens' gas campaign 'off target' – The Aus; Move to gag emissions debate – The Fin; $1.5bn cloud over renewables plan – The Aus; B&B directors, E&Y sued – The West; Crescent's 'lack of disclosure' irks spoiler Stone – The West

Mining giant BHP Billiton has approved a $US437 million ($A415.6 million) spend on an expansion of the Cerrejon coal mine in Columbia.

The pay gap between men and women in Australia is the widest in a generation and the mining boom is partly to blame.

The Australian share market closed weaker on profit-taking, led lower by the big miners and banks.

Miner and mining services company Mineral Resources has reported a 55 per cent jump in full year net profit after meeting its aggressive growth targets.

Investors can expect share market volatility to last for up to three years as food and energy prices rise and many developed nations struggle under massive public debt, the Australian Stock Exchang

Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson has survived a no confidence motion in state parliament, after the opposition tried to force his resignation over the lead fire authority's mishandling of th

Shares in Adelaide Brighton rose after the cement and lime manufacturer flagged a solid full year result despite a dip in first half profit amid weakness in the housing sector.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest's comment that young Aboriginal girls in the Pilbara are offering men sex for cigarettes has prompted a complaint to Australia's human rights watchdog.

Energy giant Shell is said to be on the verge of signing a multi-billion-dollar deal that will have Australia supplying a huge chunk of South Korea's liquefied natural gas needs.

Foster's Group has rejected an hostile takeover bid by UK-based behemoth SABMiller plc, saying the $4.90 offer price undervalued the company significantly.

Share market operator ASX Ltd has booked an annual net profit of $352.3 million, up 7.4 per cent on the prior year.

The Australian share market opened lower today as investors awaited direction from local earnings reports.

The Australian dollar was over half a US cent higher this morning, after reaching 106.00 US cents overnight for the first time in two-weeks.

Greens question the science of gas – The Aus; S Korea to buy LNG from Shell, Total – The Fin; States unite to crush carbon tax – The Aus; Watchdog loses another boss – The West; Court hitch for Aquila's Pilbara port proposal – The West

US stocks gave up early gains to close little changed on Wednesday as caution reigned in the still-jittery markets.

Shares in Brambles soared after announcing plans to offload its information management subsidiary Recall.

The head of Western Australia's fire and emergency services authority (FESA) has been sacked after a scathing report by former Australia Federal Police boss Mick Keelty into February's Perth Hills

International beverages giant SABMiller plc has resumed its fight for Foster's, making a formal conditional takeover offer at $4.90 per share.

The Australian share market closed higher, buoyed by bargain-hunters who helped to make up ground from the previous day's loss.

Australia's big four banks will be resilient through the financial market turmoil sparked by the European and United States debt issues, credit rating agency Moody's says.

Premier Colin Barnett has conceded that senior executives of government-owned utility companies remain on the same pay levels despite the scrapping of their bonuses.

The Reject Shop has reported a "disappointing" result as full year profit fell 31 per cent after the discount chain was caught in the fallout of the summer's natural disasters.

Westfield Group has confirmed earlier full year guidance for earnings, distributions and revenue after posting a 32 per cent fall in half year profit and flagging asset sales worth $2 billion in th

Mermaid Marine Australia says it is profiting from its role as a service provider to the booming offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry.

Australia's job market is showing signs of softening and easing inflationary pressure, making an interest rate rise unlikely in the next few months, economists say.

The federal government is under pressure to prevent Qantas sending jobs offshore after the airline announced 1,000 jobs would be affected by a restructure of its operations.

AUSTRALIA appears to be leading the race on climate change action in a way that could hurt resource companies competing internationally, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia has war

Boral's chief executive has defended the $530 million price the building materials company paid to buy the other half of its Asian plasterboard joint venture.

The death of a 27-year-old man in a workplace accident at a Rio Tinto iron ore mine has sparked union calls for stronger safety laws in Western Australia.

The Australian share market opened higher today, led by bargain hunters and defying expectations following a weak lead from Wall Street.