Latest Headlines

WESTERN Power and Verve Energy are shaping for a fight over increases in electricity network charges recommended by the independent market regulator last week.

PART of the third stage of the contentious Pretty Pool development at Port Hedland has been stalled by the environmental watchdog, which ruled it threatened a nesting site for flatback turtles.

China faces an ongoing inability to translate unrivalled financial clout into a dominant relationship with its key Australian suppliers.

Investors are returning to the market as the first homebuyer boost nears its end.

THE Fair Work Ombudsman has warned employers in Western Australia to be diligent in distributing workers' redundancy entitlements after investigations revealed many workers who have recently been laid-off were inadvertently short-changed.

MINING identity Andrew Forrest has continued his philanthropic ways, donating his all-scrip director payment from Poseidon Nickel to his charity, The Australian Children's Trust.

A LONG-RUNNING pilot pay dispute at Perth-based Skywest Airlines threatens to escalate into industrial action, as strained negotiations continue this week.

IN a time when a number of not-for-profit organisations are slashing non-core programs and tightening their purse strings, West Perth-based St John of God Health Care has taken a contrary approach and expanded its initiatives.

RETIRED farmer Rosston Vince, of Geraldton, will not partake in an entitlement offer for Aspen Group's ailing property fund, scheduled to close this week.

The best of modern British is finding favour at the Red Cabbage. Adam Orlando reports.

Perth company director Malcolm MacCormick has pleaded not guilty in the Magistrates Court over an insider trading charge.

Distressed asset sales could become the saviour of many Australian businesses and possibly free up some much needed capital tied up in non-performing bank loans, a financial expert says.

Litigation funder IMF (Australia) has agreed to fund claims by various former clients of Perth stockbroker Todd King against Australian Stockbroking and Advisory Services.

Tourism Western Australia have selected Sydney-based creative agency Host to take control of its advertising account, beating out the only local agency that remained on the short list, 303.

Property developer Port Bouvard has booked a $29 million net loss for the 2009 financial year which includes a more than $30 million asset impairment charge as a result of a weakening property market.

West Perth-based software and services provider Stratatel has acquired private IT company Resource Systems and Services for $500,000.

Subiaco-based Liberty Resources has signed an agreement with private company Clean Global Energy to develop an underground coal gasification project in Queensland.

The federal government has quashed Rio Tinto's push for the government to consider nuclear power as a way to meet climate change targets.

Environment Minister Donna Faragher says key recommendations have emerged from a review of the practice of clearing native vegetation in Western Australia.

Labor Party defector Vince Catania has denied misappropriating tens of thousands of dollars from the state Labor Party at last year's state election.

Opposition spokesperson Ben Wyatt says the state's finances are in disarray after the latest monthly treasury figures show government expenses had increased by $2 billion.

Emergency waiting time worst in nation; Iron ore spot price poised to jump 12%; Power pressure - business battles soaring energy bills; Harvey says signs are good after sales boost; Last rate cut for some time

BHP Billiton Iron Ore and World Vision have teamed up to form a $5 million partnership to boost care and health activities for pre-school aged children in the east Pilbara.

Shares in nickel miner Mincor Resources closed nearly 20 per cent higher today, driven by a positive quarterly report where higher production and lower cash costs generated a net cash flow of $17.9 million.

Miner Magellan Metals has stressed that its export process of lead carbonate concentrate meets the strictest conditions after a freight train derailed near houses in Fremantle.

Mining identity Andrew Forrest has donated around $10,000 worth of share to his charity, The Australian Children's Trust.

China's biggest offshore oil and gas producer China National Offshore Oil Co (CNOOC) is poised to kick off its first major drilling program in Australian waters as it seeks to match Japanese rival Inpex by establishing its own Australian production base.

Atlas Iron says it will increase the size of its $11.7 million share purchase plan by 28 per cent to accommodate for a substantial amount of oversubscriptions.

Mining services company Imdex and drilling specialist Coretrack have agreed to a $28.4 million merger that will create an entity focused on the burgeoning oil and gas sector.

Labor defector gives Nationals more power; Dioro set for tie-up, blocking Avoca bid; Bank results boost shares; Produce prices lowest in 10 years; Coalition torn over climate

Western Australia appears to have weathered the global economic downturn but the resource-rich state must still rely on China's appetite for bulk commodities to stay in the clear, according to Access Economics.

The state government has committed more than $6 million towards upgrades at 30 regional airports across Western Australia.