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WESTERN Australia's seemingly unstoppable supremacy on top of the stock exchange leader board has taken a battering over the past year, with a significant percentage of the state's mining and resources groups finding themselves in the crosshairs of worrie

THE push to redevelop laneways in the Perth CBD is gaining momentum, with plans for a series of small bars and cafes being developed by business owners and arts groups.

PLUNGING international stock markets have been the most visible manifestation of the global financial crisis of the past month, but an equally worrying trend has occurred in debt markets.

ABOUT $14 billion has disappeared from the share portfolios of Western Australia's 20 wealthiest company directors since share prices last peaked.

PROPERTY developers with projects in the City of Joondalup will soon have their development plans assessed by an independent committee, following a decision by the council to set up a design advisory panel.

MINING company directors haven't been the only victims of the stock market plunge.

GLOBAL share markets have entered a netherworld that no-one working in the finance industry has ever experienced before, unless they were alive in the 1930s.

THE global financial crisis has had a big impact on two energy projects off Western Australia's northern coast, with Coogee Resources and Nexus Energy both putting out 'for sale' signs this month.

THE country's banking sector has been the focus of intense scrutiny over the past few months as the global financial turmoil casts light on potential targets.

AUSTRALIA is safeguarded from the worst of the global financial markets because of the strength of the nation's big four banks, according to KPMG partner Kevin Smout.

OSBORNE Park-based distributor of electronic workstations and servers, EDsys Computers, has taken an energy efficient approach to business since it was founded in 1992.

ASK any sport buff in Western Australia what summer means in the world of sport and they will emphatically tell you one thing - cricket.

A DECISION by Perth-based Technip Subsea 7 Asia-Pacific to link its safety standards with not-for-profit donations will this year assist the Leukaemia Foundation of WA with its ongoing research.

WITH universities facing growing pressure to specialise, driven by funding models and the looming federal government higher education review, Western Australia's four public universities are preparing to run the measuring tape over their course offerings.

BUNBURY will get its first new hotel in almost 10 years this Christmas with the opening of The Mantra Bunbury, attached to the Silos apartment development on the Koombana waterfront.

Western Australia has been allocated $21 million for research as part of the federal government's $363 million national funding package.

Subiaco-based Richfield Group Ltd plans to raise $2 million through a non-renounceable entitlements issue, with funds to go towards working capital and exploration expenditure.

Almost 120,000 extra workers could be made available in Western Australia if more women were encouraged to join the workforce, according to a new report from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA.

Premier Colin Barnett has named North Head, north of Broome, as his preferred site for a gas processing precinct to serve the Browse Basin gas fields, located off the Kimberley coast.

Shares in Paladin Energy Ltd have dropped 16 per cent after the company said the global credit crisis will probably cause the deferral or cancellation of some planned uranium projects.

Perth-based Axiom Properties Ltd has refinanced its Port Geographe residential subdivision project with St George Bank, which will provide a $100 million construction finance solution.

Iluka Resources Ltd, the world's biggest zircon producer, has increased its profit outlook for the full year after a fall in the Australian dollar and higher commodity prices as it plans to take one of its kilns out of production.

The decline in world investment markets has dented Perth-based wealth management company Plan B Group Ltd's funds under management, administration or advice.

The $10.4bn giveaway; Europe unites in $2.8 trillion shock and awe blitz on cash crisis; Base metals bounce as bailouts inject new hope; Credit crunch crimps broadband plan; Top lender falls into line with rates cut

Phosphate Resources Ltd has had a minister decision banning mining expansion plans on Christmas Island set aside.

Perth-headquartered Clough Ltd has been awarded a services contract by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd to support oil production facilities at the Barrow and Thevenard Islands located off the coast of Onslow.

Shares in Fortescue Metals Group Ltd have soared 56 per cent higher today, a turnaround from recent days where the share price has taken a hammering.

Shares in Wesfarmers Ltd surged as much as 10 per cent today as the company assured investors it was confident it would be able to repay $1.26 billion worth of debt due in less than a year.

The Australian bourse has clocked up its best two-day gain in over 33 years after the market closed four per cent higher, following the biggest point gain ever on Wall Street and news of the federal government's $10.4 billion economic stimulus package.

As the Australian bourse continued its rally today on the federal government's $10.4 billion stimulus package, gold stocks were left behind as the price of the precious metal dropped.

The cost for Moly Mines Ltd's Spinifex project in the Pilbara has risen from $1.1 billion to $1.26 billion following the inclusion of costs for a power station after a deal with an infrastructure company fell through.

Perth-based Specialised Broking Associates Pty Ltd will be re-branded after worldwide broker Arthur J. Gallagher & Co agreed to take a stake in the company.