AAP

Higher VIP gambler revenue and improved returns from its Macau joint venture have helped casino operator Crown increase its first half profit by 79 per cent.

Australian stocks have opened flat on the back of a mixed offshore lead.

Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens says interest rates are about where they should be, even after retail banks independently lifted their lending rates this month.

GE Oil and Gas has won a contract worth more than $150 million to supply subsea equipment for Apache Energy's Julimar gas project offshore from Dampier.

The Australian dollar has risen after the release of some encouraging economic data from Germany and the US.

US stocks have closed broadly higher, helped by solid gains from Procter & Gamble over its cost-cutting plan and blue-chip stalwart IBM.

While Mix 94.5 continues to dominate the Perth market, increasing its audience for the first radio ratings in 2012, 96fm's 2.4 percentage point boost has leapfrogged the station from sixt

Millions of Australians were left disconnected and disgruntled as Telstra's internet service crashed earlier today.

Loyal David Jones customers are spending more than they did before the financial crisis, but the department store chain is reluctant to call the bottom of the market just yet.

The Australian dollar is lower as concerns grow around the Greek bailout and growth in Europe.

Premier Colin Barnett says Prime Minister Julia Gillard will need to defeat Kevin Rudd by a "large majority" if she is to retain the leadership and confidence of her party and the public.

The state government has halted all prescribed burns near populated areas and will establish an Office of Bushfire Risk Management in the wake of the Keelty Report into the Margaret River bush

Virgin Australia Holdings says the chase for more business customers is progressing ahead of schedule and has delivered a hefty improvement in first half net profit.

The Australian share market followed negative offshore leads to edge lower after disappointing economic data from debt-riddled Europe.

BHP Billiton is the latest Australian company to flag possible job cuts because of the strength of the Australian dollar.

Federal politicians head to Sydney on Friday to quiz the nation's most influential banker, providing an opportunity to focus on the economy rather than who will win next week's Labor leadership bal

A Perth aviation business and its director have been accused of sacking a teenager after his mum queried his alleged pay of just over $5 an hour.

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings expects economic conditions in the Australian retail and industrial sectors to remain challenging.

Attorney-General Christian Porter has announced the appointment of Grant Donaldson as the state's new solicitor-general.

Iluka Resources has pledged to use surplus funds for increased dividend payments and organic growth after delivering a record profit on the back of higher sales volumes and prices.

Kevin Rudd has declared Julia Gillard can't win the next election and laid out a policy platform for his Labor leadership comeback ahead of a caucus ballot on Monday.

Australian shares have opened slightly weaker after a quiet overnight session for international markets.

The Australian dollar has fallen to its lowest level in a month, as the US dollar strengthens and leadership tensions re-ignite in Australia.

Labor tears itself apart – The Fin; Collier takes swipe at industry – The West; Shopping centres to get bigger – The West; Key union urges end to strike ballots by workers – The Aus; Costs bite at Bullant – The West

US stocks have ended modestly in the red following disappointing eurozone data that added to signs of recession in the debt-racked region.

The Australian share market tracked sideways despite a lessening of risk for a debt default by Greece and solid earnings results domestically.

Mining services company Ausenco says its outlook remains positive after it returned to profitability driven by an uptrend across all its divisions.

Premier Colin Barnett has defended plans for a state future fund after Opposition Leader Mark McGowan labelled it a "stunt" and said state debt should be paid off first.

Western Australia's peak union body has lashed out at Premier Colin Barnett over comments he made that Sunday retail workers should not be paid such high hourly rates.

Ten Network Holdings has flagged a steep drop in earnings and revenue in the first half of its fiscal 2012 as the television broadcaster battles a tough advertising market.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says he will continue to press the federal government to include gold and other minerals in its proposed mining tax.