AAP

Import and export price figures show the terms of trade most likely hit a new high in the June quarter.The terms of trade is an index of the ratio of export prices to import prices.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says the sooner Europe and the United States resolve they debt issues, the better it will be for everybody.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia's chief executive-designate, New Zealander Ian Narev, flagged a "high degree of continuity" for the bank's strategy when he replaces compatriot Ralph Norris on Decemb

The Australian share market opened higher today, after European leaders struck a new deal to manage the sovereign debt issue.

US stocks rallied on Thursday as eurozone leaders clinched a deal to bail out Greece, boosting financial stocks that had been battered in recent weeks by fears of a European debt crisis.

The Australian dollar is one US cent higher this morning, after Eurozone leaders agreed overnight to a deal that will grant Greece a new bailout.

WA gas must rise 40pc: Alinta – The Fin; NBN fees to start at $60 a month – The Aus; Privacy 'no risk to free press' – The Aus; Eclipse takes landfill levy fight to court – The West; Property prices still falling – The West

The corporate watchdog has unlicensed lenders in its sights as it seeks to crack down on those who are yet to gain full approval to provide credit services.

Police Minister Rob Johnson says the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has nothing to do with the government's "fair and generous" pay rise offer to police.

Global insurer QBE Insurance Group has split its Australia Asia Pacific business into two because of the rapid growth of its operations in the region.

Australia is not at risk from the debt crisis spreading through Europe or the looming debt default in the United States, a senior official from an international organisation says.

The Australian share market closed slightly higher, bolstered by news that Europe had moved a step closer to resolving its debt crisis.

Newcrest Mining has met its full year production targets after all of its mines contributed to a 16 per cent rise in June quarter gold output.

Some of Australia's biggest industry groups have launched an advertising campaign against the federal government's proposed carbon tax.

Graziers, truckers and exporters are considering legal action against the federal government, saying its handling of the live cattle trade to Indonesia is sending them to the brink of ruin.

The relationship between the state government and Western Australia's main gas retailer has sunk even lower, with the premier refusing to meet with the company until it "calms down".

Australia's second largest listed gold miner Resolute Mining's full year production has declined six per cent to 330,859 ounces.

The Australian share market opened higher, shrugging off a flat performance on Wall Street overnight as markets await resolution of debt issues on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Australian dollar was stronger after trading sideways during the overnight session, as investors await developments from the US and Europe on debt problems.

Treasury's warning on China – The Aus; Global meltdown fears send gold price soaring – The West;Court gags building unionist – The Fin; Barnett in backflip on $1b tax cuts pledge – The West; Meridian quits $78m mine deal – The West

US stocks fell slightly on Wednesday as investors waited for a resolution to the debt-ceiling standoff in Washington and digested a mixed bag of second-quarter earnings reports.

The Australian share market closed strongly firmer for its best performance in over a week after a compromise was reached in the US to lift America's debt ceiling.

The company vying to develop the state's first uranium mine, Toro Energy, will next week provide its environmental plan for public scrutiny.

Australia is heading into the slowest patch of economic growth since the global financial crisis, bolstering the case for lower interest rates.

The government's contract with Telstra to build a national broadband network could be thrown out if the Liberal Party wins the next election, the opposition says.

The cyclones and floods that caused havoc on the state's mining industry earlier this year led to big falls in the production of iron ore, gold, nickel and copper, a report showed.

The state's gas retailer says slugging households with a 10 per cent increase on gas bills is a "bandaid solution" to cover up the state government's mismanagement of the energy sector.

Shares in Meridian Minerals jumped after the junior explorer's largest shareholder, a Chinese state-owned entity, revealed plans for a $67.5 million takeover offer.

Retailer Woolworths has reported a 4.7 per cent lift in annual sales to $54.1 billion despite a challenging year characterised by falling prices, natural disasters and declining consumer sentiment.

BHP Billiton says it achieved production records in four commodities in 2010/11, with production of iron ore posting its 11th consecutive record.

The Australian share market opened significantly higher on Wednesday as strong corporate earnings in the US and hopes of a resolution of that country's debt problems supported strong gains on Wall Street.