Latest Headlines

US stocks have closed lower as market sentiment soured less than two weeks before the United States risks going over the so-called fiscal cliff.

The Australian dollar is slightly lower following weakness in Chinese stocks.

Rare earths miner Lynas has won its latest court battle in Malaysia and is free to keep operating after opponents lost an appeal to take away its licence.

Andrew Caruso has been appointed as the new CEO of the aspiring coal miner and developer Ascot Resources.

The Australian share market closed at its highest level for the year with investors betting on US policymakers to back a deal to avert $US600 billion in federal tax hikes and spending cuts.

Australia's economic growth is likely to slow in the near future, an industry study predicts.

Premier Colin Barnett wants a legal stoush between the state's treasurer and his ex-lover resolved soon as it's proving a distraction.

 The state government will get a US$22 million stamp duty windfall after Canadian company Cameco completed the purchase of the Yeelirrie uranium project for US$430 million.

Nexus Energy has exercised a put option to sell 2 per cent of its 17 per cent stake in the Crux gas field off the northwest coast to Royal Dutch Shell for $75 million.

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering is looking to capitalise on unprecedented demand for its services from the liquefied natural gas sector by launching a joint venture with international electri

 ANZ Banking Group says local and global economic conditions will remain soft in 2013, with political uncertainty adding to concerns.

Retiring PwC partner Frank Cooper has been appointed to the board of Woodside Petroleum as a non-executive director.

Former Reserve Bank governor Bernie Fraser says the pursuit of a federal budget surplus is harming the economy.

The former head of Western Australia's anti-corruption commission believes Julia Gillard may have breached state law by providing legal advice for the incorporation of an association used

Apartments developer Finbar is preparing expanded plans for the Springs Rivervale redevelopment area, after acquiring three vacant sites for $9.35 million.

The state government has awarded the $200 million managing construction contract for the Elizabeth Quay inlet to a joint venture between Leighton Contractors and Broad Construction Services.

Shares in struggling surfwear retailer Billabong have dived almost 15 per cent after it downgraded its earnings guidance and said it was considering a fresh $527 million takeover bid.

As an election year approaches, Colin Barnett finds himself nursing a headache despite not having done the drinking.

Voters should be wary of Labor's plan to close a costly waste facility as it eyes two marginal seats.

Competition in the retail sector is getting tougher as marketing and technology merge, with smaller businesses likely to be left behind.

The upheavals in the iron ore sector dominated news in 2012 but our readers were also keen to hear about mining magnates, real estate, new hotels and one particular barrister.

Factions aren’t at the heart of Labor’s problem but rather the failure to allow for dissenting votes.

The Australian market has opened higher amid signs US politicians are willing to compromise to avoid the world's largest economy falling off the fiscal cliff.

THE federal government has released a paper on draft governance standards and financial reporting regulations for charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.

BHP Billiton has agreed to continue its partnership with Mission Australia, committing $4.5 million over the next five years to the ‘Connected: From Classroom to Career’ program.

THE residents of the remote Nepalese village of Ghilling are a step closer to creating a sustainable local economy, with the help of a Perth-based not-for-profit group.

IT seems society is loosening up; the internet, music, movies, book titles, TV, and texting have created an ‘openness revolution’ not matched since the 1960s.

FORMER US president Hany S Truman is famously quoted as having said “The buck stops here”, and I’ve seen this quote (and others similar) framed and up on many a CEO’s office wall.

A Minerals Council policy paper sets out the steps for Australia to harness its commodities exports for the long and sustainable haul.

Iron ore producer BC Iron says its $190 million deal with Fortescue Metals to boost output to six million tonnes will not be affected by any sale of Fortescue's infrastructure assets.

US stocks rallied on Tuesday amid optimism that Washington was serious about reaching a deal on the "fiscal cliff".

PLANS for the overhaul of Karratha’s central business district are progressing with development applications lodged and more state funds allocated to revitalisation projects.