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US stocks closed a choppy day of trading higher after Japan's monetary stimulus plan boosted sentiment.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 55.76 (0.38 per cent) to 14,606.11.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has touted Australia's friendship with China on the eve of her visit to the regional powerhouse, saying only Labor has a plan to engage with fast growing Asian markets.

Silver Lake Resources is embroiled in a dispute with Resource Development Group subsidiary Pacer, after the engineering contractor did not explain why the Murchison gold project's costs had blown o

The Australian dollar is slightly lower against its US counterpart following news of fresh stimulus measures in Japan.

Sundance Resources has given Hanlong Mining until Monday to stump up a $5 million payment due under the companies' stalled takeover agreement.

PMI Gold Corporation has appointed Ausdrill co-founder Jim Askew as its new chairman, replacing Peter Buck who resigned in the fallout of the company's failed merger deal with Canada's Keegan Resou

The Australian share market finished almost one per cent lower due to weaker offshore leads and lower commodity prices.

Central Petroleum has increased its stake in a lightly-explored but highly prospective shale gas play, while at the same time announcing plans to sell off its coal assets for $1.8 million.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott has indicated a federal coalition government would not invest in state urban rail projects, insisting the Commonwealth should “stick to its knitting” of funding roads.

Better technology allows almost three out of five small businesses to have employees working away from the office, a survey says.

Hundreds of jobs at Shell's Geelong refinery face the axe if the company can't find a buyer to keep the plant open, a union says.

The competition watchdog isn't satisfied with the national broadband network builder's plan governing wholesale broadband pricing and access to its infrastructure.

Australian grape farmers are being left to wither on the vine by supermarkets that refuse to pay them a fair price, the industry says.

The state's environmental watchdog has backed the use of waste-to-energy recycling facilities in Western Australia, but cautioned that any proposed plant must meet international best practice stand

A group of disgruntled Gunson Resources shareholders have commenced proceedings to remove managing director David Harley.

Uranium concentrate from a new Western Australian mine will likely be shipped through two other states.

The record $22 billion spent in the nation's shops in February is a further sign low interest rates are supporting the economy, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

Shares in troubled retailer Billabong have been suspended indefinitely so it can continue takeover talks with two potential suitors.

Australian stocks have opened weaker, with mining companies posting the largest falls amid broad based declines.

A rout across precious metals markets on Wednesday pushed gold futures to a nine-month low and left platinum at its lowest price so far this year.

US stocks dropped on Wednesday after weak economic indicators halted the market's upward momentum of recent weeks.

Korab Resources has granted an extension to Estonian group Augur Investments for the completion of the sale of the Winchester magnetite deposit in the Northern Territory.

Sundance Resources is likely to end its takeover talks with Hanlong Mining and look for another Chinese suitor.

Wesfarmers has appointed Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott to its board of directors.

The trucking industry wants to stay protected from the carbon tax beyond 2014.

The strong three-month rally in Perth company Atrum Coal's share price was halted today, after the company unveiled a 460 per cent increase in resources at its flagship Groundhog anthracite deposit

The Australian share market has closed about 0.6 per cent lower amid mixed economic data.

Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has already begun planning with Premier Colin Barnett on potential changes to GST distribution.

Apartment developer Finbar Group says demand is running hot for its CBD projects, with two of its newest developments selling out before completion.

Woodside Petroleum's $40 billion Browse gas project could be delayed by up to a decade if it does not come to a final investment decision by June.

Glenn Stevens will continue to serve as central bank governor until 2016 following his reappointment by Treasurer Wayne Swan today.