AAP

Heat is on Murchison over $6b Oakajee fear – The West; Lundin boss doubts the benefits of deal – The Aus; 'War' declared in high-rise battle – The West; Council losses mount – The Fin; Ferngrove scores capital coup – The West

US stocks dropped sharply on Tuesday after Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke warned that high oil prices could spark inflation and stall the country's economic recovery.

The big supermarkets' push for a larger bite of grocery sales through home-brand items has the potential to devastate small local farms, one expert says.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon has called on the federal government to consider making natural gas exempt from a carbon tax.

Subiaco-based Venture Minerals says it will cost $162 million to develop its Mt Lindsay tin and tungsten project in northwest Tasmania.

The Australian share market closed flat after profit-taking eroded earlier gains on the information technology and materials sectors.

Former West Australian cabinet minister Norm Marlborough choked back tears outside court after hearing his conviction of giving false evidence to the state's corruption watchdog had been quashed.

Angry investors have lambasted Neptune Marine Services for proposing a dilution of their shareholdings via a capital raising of up to $80.6 million under plans to return the ailing company to growth.

The Reserve Bank of Australia surprised no one by leaving the cash rate unchanged on Tuesday, but economists expect rate rises in the near future.

January retail trade figures were better than expected, helped by a rise in food sales and a recovery in department store sales, economists say.

Federal Labor MPs have joined the opposition, the Australian Greens and independent members in voicing concerns about the milk price war being waged by major supermarkets.

Centro Properties Group has confirmed it will sell all its United States assets and look to merge all Centro properties into one fund as part of a restructure aimed at returning value to shareholders.

Borrowers are likely to face two interest rate increases this year, but an imminent move is extremely unlikely given the impact of this summer's natural disasters.

Australian manufacturing began to expand in February for the first time since August last year, a private survey shows.

More than 20,000 residents in Perth's north and east remain without power after a severe thunderstorm brought down powerlines and trees, and tore off roofs.

The Australian sharemarket has opened higher with a positive lead from overseas and commodity markets buoying local resource and financial stocks.

Stabilising oil prices and signs that the US economy may be improving pushed stock indices higher on Monday.

The Australian dollar has opened slightly higher following a battery of mixed US data overnight.

Rio rejects Forrest's boast over rail access – The Aus; Rivals see two sets of results – The Fin; Independent grocers join milk price war – The West; Union boss softens on shop hours – The West; Oswal's 'ego' behind fight for jet – The West

The Australian sharemarket closed flat after corporate reports from the tail end of the earnings season failed to inspire investors, who remained concerned about Middle East turmoil.

Iron ore pellet producer Grange Resources has booked a first half net profit of $85.2 million due to higher prices for the product.

If a tax is put on carbon, 34,000 jobs will bloom from the clean energy boom - 1,000 in Western Australia - research from The Climate Institute shows.

Perth house prices fell 1.5 per cent in January, amid a national fall of 1.6 per cent that further dampened growth as natural disasters swept across the nation, a survey shows.

Filipinos are working at "near slave labour" rates for a Danish shipping company on the North West Shelf, the Australian Workers Union says.

Western Australia's consumer protection watchdog has warned of bogus charity collectors using the Christchurch earthquake as a way to scam people out of money.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources has more than tripled its first half net profit after a four-fold rise in revenue from gold sales.

The West Australian opposition has urged Premier Colin Barnett to grant the Oakajee port and rail consortium an extension and stop acting like a dictator.

Australia's economic growth most likely picked up pace in the December quarter after the September quarter recorded the smallest rise in three years, economists say.

The boom in the natural gas sector will lift Australia's prosperity and aid the clean energy debate, Resources and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says.

Moly Mines says it has managed to beat expectations for its Spinifex Ridge iron ore mine ramp-up, despite lost time caused by wet weather.

Mining contractor Barminco says it has secured a $50 million capital injection from investment house Goldman Sachs and commenced a strategic review amid mounting speculation it could be sold or floated.

The Australian sharemarket opened flat today as investor worries about Libya's turmoil outweighed positive US leads from Friday.