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BRIEFCASE is amazed at the poor understanding of market dynamics shown by many commentators and self-appointed analysts.

WELL It's time to face it. You take the most pessimistic analysis of the global economic situation and we're in for tough times.

ONCE the most energetic and successful married couple in global mining, Phil and Viv Snowden have re-emerged after 18 months with plans to take on a new industry - wine.

THE growing number of mass participation events in Perth has provided fertile ground for benevolent institutions looking for more creative means to raise funds and deliver their message of goodwill.

BARACK Obama made the sale. Sixty three million people were sold on his potential ability to lead and govern. And they did so without the benefit of actually seeing what he will do.

PERRON Group's shopping centre and office ownership has helped it comfortably absorb more than $100 million from downward revaluations of its equity investments.

HOSPITALITY entrepreneurs Kristan Roche and Chris Sweeney are taking Victoria Park a step closer to the vibe of Mount Lawley or Leederville with their first venue, The Imp.

THE Western Australian business community has given a mixed reaction to the latest review into 457 visas, the Deegan Report, released by Immigration Minister Chris Evans last week.

WESTERN Australia's South West has expanded its offering for foodies of all kinds this summer.

As spectacular shareholder stoushes go, EFTel's extraordinary general meeting held today had it all: disallowed proxies; a bitter family feud; disputed legal opinions; all topped with allegations of lies and dirty tricks.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore today announced his wife, Lee had sold her shares in BHP Billiton, Wesfarmers and Woodside Petroleum but he insisted he had done nothing wrong over perceived conflicts of interest.

Canning Vale-based electrical contractor, Electrical Construction & Maintenance Australia took out the Industrial category award for excellence at the National Electrical and Communications Association Awards held last week.

The inaugural meeting of the Economic Audit Committee, the group tasked with examining the operational and financial performance of the Western Australian public sector, has taken place today launching the four-month review.

AusQuest shareholder's have approved the strategic alliance and $26 million placement with international mining company, Cliffs Natural Resources.

Perth-based explorer Bauxite Resources has signed an MOU with a Chinese group, aimed at establishing a 'farm-in' type arrangement for exploration at the company's Darling Range tenements for all minerals other than bauxite.

Latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics show that capital spending on mining and energy projects has fallen from its peak levels, though WA still accounts for the majority share.

The Western Australian government has set aside almost $6 million in funding for major regional projects.

Uranium exploration companies, Uranex NL and Energy and Minerals Australia have joined the collective voice of uranium mining groups, politicians and business lobby groups in applauding the Western Australian government's decision to lift the ban on urani

Shares in AWB gained over four per cent in early trading after the wheat exporter and agricultural services group reported that full-year net profit more than doubled.

Mac's $15bn global fire sale; Coal, ore exports to drop by $30bn; Reynolds wins construction union vote; Wealth slump fuels case for more rate cuts; Citi, ABN the latest to slash finance jobs

Privately owned investment company Perron Group’s shopping centres and offices have helped it comfortably absorb more than $100 million from downward revaluations of its equity investments.

Former Canberra bureaucrat Peter Conran has been formally appointed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, a key policy adviser role in the Barnett government.

The propsed merger between NSL Health and Iron Ore HIll has been delayed, in part due to the significant downturn in world financial markets.

Resolute Mining has finalised details of its capital raising aiming to generate up to $72.5 million to complete the re-development and ramp up of the Syama gold project in Mali and maintain the company's other development activities.

Anchor Foods has received the overall prize at the inaugural Westpac Food and Beverage Industry Awards held last week.

Mineral Resources has forecast its profits in the FY2009 could potentially fall by 32 per cent following this financial year's profit growth of 133 per cent.

Forestry Minister Terry Redman has launched a plan for the oil mallee industry to capitalise on opportunities presented by the future carbon pollution reduction scheme.

Jolimont-based short term computer rental group, Hire Intelligence International has announced a profit upgrade and improved fully franked dividend prospects for its shareholders.

Western Australia's uranium players have jumped up in trading today after the state government yesterday lifted a ban on uranium mining, a move strongly backed by WA business lobby groups.

The Australian dollar was lower at noon, after losing about 0.5 US cents following the release of the Reserve Bank of Australia's November board meeting minutes.

GME Resources has pulled back on the planned expenditure on its NiWest Nickel Laterite Project, resulting in a number of redundancies to senior staff members.

The nation's nuclear science chief says lifting the ban on new uranium mines in Western Australia will prove a positive step for the cause of nuclear energy, although the federal government will ensure any moves are closely regulated.