AAP

Australia warned of China shale gas boom – The West; Skilled migrant push intensifies – The Fin; Browse progress good, says Ferguson – The West; Chinese backers find $US500m for Moly mine – The West; Single-sex clubs under attack in WA – The Fin

US stocks closed broadly lower on Monday in the final trading session before first-quarter earnings season gets under way.

The Australian market has opened lower on strong negative leads as offshore markets were spooked overnight by the crisis in Libya and poor data from China, the US and Spain.

US stocks plunged Thursday on worries of higher oil prices and an economic slowdown, with the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 indexes all losing more than 1.8 per cent in the day.

The Australian dollar has opened almost half a US cent lower, as disappointing Chinese trade data weighed on forex markets.

Phoenix claim in Firepower fallout – The Fin; Woodside to extend NWS – The West; WA Premier broadens his horizons – The Fin; Fertiliser tycoon sued over lost $110m – The Aus; Maurice Blackburn enters expanding WA legal landscape – The West

Rio Tinto has increased its offer price for Riversdale Mining and extended the offer period in what the mining giant said would be its final bid.

Cardboard box manufacturers Amcor and Visy Board will pay out at least $95 million to thousands of businesses after settling a drawn-out class action over alleged price fixing.

The state government has announced it will increase fines to a maximum of $1 million for illegally demolishing or damaging a state-registered place without appropriate approval.

Qantas Airways says there will be further enhancements on its regional routes, with self-service check-in systems to be rolled out at 21 destinations over the next four months.

The Australian sharemarket dropped one-and-a-half per cent lower on Monday as investors sought safe haven assets amid global uncertainty and higher oil prices.

Australia's major supermarkets are pricing milk at "unsustainably low levels", a practice the food manufacturing industry says will hurt country towns.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's has upgraded its long-term rating on diversified Perth-based conglomerate Wesfarmers.

Australian industry is set to invest more money in mining than the nation puts into building new houses, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Federal Treasury officials have questioned why milk processors are complaining about the current price war between the big two supermarkets when they are supplying them for their own-brand products.

Seven Network says it will pursue departing executive James Warburton and Ten Network in court, over Mr Warburton's appointment as Ten's new chief executive officer.

Australian shares have had a flat start to the day, following US leads with modest gains and losses in the major indices overnight.

The Australian dollar opened over a third of a US cent higher this morning, on high commodity prices and a softer US currency.

Woodside sounds out Japanese – The Fin; Pressure mounts on Mitsubishi over Oakajee – The Aus; Rinehart calls for Asian guest workers – The Aus; Lehman entity 'underplayed' risk – The Fin; Mrs Oswal denies owing $140m in tax – The West

Energy giant Shell faces increasingly rigorous environmental regulatory requirements to win approval for oil and gas exploration near Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef.

US stocks were flat on Wednesday following the chop and change of the oil market, as concerns about events in Libya and a lack of indicators provided little direction for traders.

Eagle Eye Metals shares soared to record highs on news the junior explorer will acquire West African gold projects through the recommended scrip takeover of Birimian Gold.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has announced the government will begin negotiations with the UAE on a bilateral nuclear safeguards agreement, a precursor to uranium sales.

Internet service providers could be squeezed by the national broadband network, the competition regulator says.

Extract Resources says it will oppose a takeover attempt of its largest shareholder by a Chinese state-owned uranium firm unless the Chinese company makes a full bid for the parent.

The Australian share market closed lower as investors ignored a positive lead from United States markets and pulled back from the resources sector.

International air ticket prices will rise again from mid-March, when national carrier Qantas increases fuel surcharges in response to climbing oil and jet fuel prices.

Independent grocery retailers have warned of future shortages of fresh milk because of the affect of discounting on the profitability of the dairy industry.

The West Australian government's decision to send corrective services staff to help break a strike in Tasmania is a disgrace, the Opposition says.

Gold miner Catalpa Resources has posted a maiden first half profit on the back of record production of the precious metal from its two Australian mines.

The federal government won't be ditching its plan for a carbon tax but will be listening closely to the views of key independent MP Tony Windsor.

Australia's big four banks may not be as comfortable with a proposed ban on mortgage exit fees as they are letting on, a Treasury official says.