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Top cricket venue nod for stadium

Crude oil prices have jumped, settling near three-year highs after US government data show a drop in crude inventories and production, even as fuel inventories rose.

The Australian dollar has rebounded from its previous session's loss against its weakened US counterpart.

Gold has risen, hitting its highest in nearly four months as the US dollar swoons after a report that Chinese officials had recommended slowing or halting purchases of US Treasury securities.

The share market has lost ground as investors pulled back following five straight sessions of gains.

Melbourne-based Crocmedia, which is merging with a listed company backed by Perth investment group Viburnum Funds, has been announced as the radio partner of Optus Stadium for the next five years.

Treasurer Ben Wyatt has warned businesses using labour hire companies to confirm they have met their payroll tax obligations, after a number of local operators fell victim to a scam.

Local tech company Nuheara has partnered with multinational manufacturer ams AG to launch its new noise-cancelling earbud product, LiveIQ.

The right kind of government assistance could provide a timely fillip for WA's startup and innovation community.

Melbourne-based shell company Public Holdings (Australia) is set to move into gold exploration after striking a deal to acquire a group of Western Australian gold tenements from prospector Denis O'Meara, while also announcing plans for a $7.5 million capital raising.

Insurance giant QBE has appointed Vivek Bhatia as chief executive of its Australian and New Zealand business.

Indonesian group Eastern Field Developments has extended the offer period for its hostile 23-cents-a-share bid for Finders Resources, while also raising a number of concerns with the copper miner's supplementary target statement.

Perth-based BCI Minerals has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chinese steel producer Sinosteel to assess potential development of BCI's Buckland project in the Pilbara.

The Australian share market has opened up after key indexes around the globe finished stronger with some hitting fresh highs.

The Australian share market looks set to follow its international peers and open in the green, while the local dollar has fallen nearly a third of a cent against the US dollar.

McGowan says WA will clear path for gas pipeline from Browse

Oil prices have edged higher, with US crude touching its highest since December 2014, supported by OPEC-led production cuts and expectations that US crude inventories have dropped for an eighth week in a row.

Gold has edged lower, weighed down by a stronger US dollar on the back of concerns about political uncertainty in Europe, while a buoyant stock market also drained enthusiasm for bullion.

James Cullen has emerged as the major shareholder at new listing Babylon Pump & Power, which is led by Michael Shelby, formerly general manager at Mr Cullen's former company Resource Equipment.

Fraser's Kings Park is among the early takers for a new program aiming to bring loyalty back to Perth's food scene.

Perth-based Eden Innovations' concrete admixture has been approved by the Oregon Department of Transportation, with EdenCrete now permitted for use in 11 US states.

Approvals for the construction of new homes have jumped by 11.7 per cent in November, boosted by a spike in apartment and townhouse construction activity in Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Perth-founded online design company Canva has raised $US40 million ($50 million) from private investors as it continues to expand on a global scale.

The share market has closed slightly higher as gains by miners and energy companies offset weakness in the retail and healthcare sectors.

Perth-based Volt Resources has raised $4.7 million through a strongly supported exercise of listed options, with the proceeds to be used to develop the company's Tanzanian graphite project.

A number of asset classes are facing the likelihood of a bust this year, with WA watchers' eyes trained on the lithium sector.

Engineering and construction group Valmec has tapped investors for $5.1 million through a strongly supported share placement that will strengthen the company's balance sheet.

The Australian share market has started the day on positive footing, buoyed by the major miners following the recent lift in the price of iron ore.

Forrest-backed clinic urges cancer research revolution

The Australian dollar has slipped a little against its US counterpart which has strengthened to a one-week high against a basket of six major currencies.

Oil prices are little changed, trading near their highest since May 2015, as political concerns in some OPEC nations offset projections for higher US oil production.

Gold has edged lower, retreating further from last week's 3-1/2-month high as the US dollar regained some ground against the buoyant euro and traders bet on further US interest rate hikes after Friday's payrolls data. The dollar, which has remained weak after its biggest annual drop since 2003, had helped to lift assets priced in the US currency, with gold last week registering a fourth straight weekly gain for the first time since April.