AAP

The federal government has welcomed an agreement between Telstra and the NBN Co finalising key commercial terms for the rollout of the national broadband network.

Iron ore miner Atlas Iron has amassed a controlling stake in iron ore explorer Giralia Resources NL.

The Australian stock market has opened flat after gains throughout the week, with small movements across the board.

US stocks have closed mixed in listless trading as investors shrugged off Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony to Congress and merger and acquisition activity in the stock exchange sector.

The Australian dollar opened domestic trade lower today, as currencies struggled to find direction during a cautious offshore session.

Taj-on-Swan buyer emerges – The Fin; Grylls floats supertown plan to revive the bush – The West; Hatfull hits back at bid to oust him – The West; Wheatbelt farmers faced with soil getting drier – The Aus; Big WA gas find for Chevron – The Aus

The West Australian government's long awaited legislation for fixed-term elections is expected to be introduced next week nearly two and a half years after it was promised.

Australia's economic outlook looks bright, despite a gloomy background of developed economies struggling to shake off the effects of the global financial crisis.

The Australian bourse closed in the black for the third consecutive day after a better than expected profit result from Commonwealth Bank drove gains in the financial sector.

The Australian dollar was lower today, as currency traders waited for local jobs data.

Stockland has upgraded its full year earnings after doubling first half profit from the previous corresponding period because of a solid increase in commercial and residential property sales.

Authorities in Western Australia have defended their warning procedures and burn-off regimes in the wake of a devastating bushfire that destroyed 72 homes in the Perth Hills.

Shares in Boral gained nearly six per cent after the building products supplier reported a 36 per cent rise in first half net profit.

Perth-based resources sector services provider NRW Holdings has flagged a rise in first half net profit of about 30 per cent, compared to the previous corresponding period.

Consolidated Minerals has won a Supreme Court case against JP Morgan regarding fees the investment bank had charged for advice to the manganese and chromite miner.

When then premier Alan Carpenter chose to make 2008 an election year in Western Australia, Labor stalwart Kim Beazley joined a handful of optimistic Liberals in foreshadowing a change of government.

BHP Billiton Ltd has posted steep production declines in several metals and minerals due to shut-downs and other difficulties with strong headline numbers, at its key Western Australian interests failed to excite analysts.