Latest Headlines

Howard promises $34b tax cut; PBL defers planned denerger; AGL Energy slashes 2008 earnings outlook; Cape to sweeten $230m bid; Zinifex and Umicore to sell 70pct in Nyrstar.

Consolidated Minerals Ltd bidder Palmary Enterprises Ltd has taken rival bidder Pallinghurst Resources Australia Ltd to the Takeovers Panel in the latest twist in the long-running takeover battle.

Former Western Australian Crown Solicitor Peter Panegyres has been appointed to the State Government's Economic Regulation Authority's governing body for three years in a part-time capacity.

Perth-based uranium explorer Atom Energy Ltd has finalised the acquisition of seven uranium exploration licences in the Northern Territory, the company has announced.

Belmot-based Ferrowest Ltd will work with the Geraldton Port Authority in planning for the receipt, storage, loading and dispatch of merchant pig iron at its planned Yalgoo Iron Project, the company has announced.

The Federal Court of Australia has set November 12 as the date for the directions hearing of the long-running legal battle between West Perth-based intellectual property company ipernica Ltd and Sweden-based Ericsson Inc.

Perth-based CityView Corporation Ltd aims to raise $2.3 million for working capital through an entitlements offer of one option for every five shares held, the company has announced.

West Perth-based biotechnology company Rockeby Biomed Ltd has raised $1.5 million through a placement, with funds raised going towards covering working capital costs, future research and development of existing products.

West Perth-based minerals explorer Resource Mining Corporation Ltd will raise $2.3 million through a renounceable rights issue to shareholders on a one for 10 basis, the company has announced.

Como-based GME Resources Ltd will add will acquire an 80 per cent stake in two nickel projects in the Murrin Murrin region from Wanbanna Pty Ltd for $50,000 and the issuing of 12 million shares and 2 million options, the company has announced.

The Insurance Commission of Western Australia, Alcoa's outgoing Australian chief executive Wayne Osborn and outgoing WA Art Gallery director Alan Dodge have been recognised by the WA Business and the Arts Partnership Awards.

Supermarket warehouse supply chain business Metcash Ltd has sold the remaining 12 of its former Action supermarkets in Western Australia for between $40 million and $45 million, the company has announced.

Stuart Corp and Brian Smith have been sentenced to three years each in prison after being prosecuted for using offshore entities to avoid disclosure of their interests, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has announced.

Melbourne-based construction group John Holland Pty Ltd has won the main building contract for the state government's new performing arts centre, located on the corner of Roe and William Streets.

Howard promises "right leadership", Rudd "new leadership"; CBH makes big step in shipping sector; Investors preparing for six weeks of uncertainty; Pratt under public scrutiny on price-fixing; Nine and Fox bid record $117m for 2010 and 2012 Olympics right

As the ALP's Robert McClelland had his black armband torn off and the Prime Minister prepared to sport a grey one, WA's CCC euthanised some careers, rail lines were in a coma and voters still don't know how long they have left.

Welshpool-based gold explorer Mineral Commodities Ltd's has commenced legal action against Perth-based ProMet Engineers Pty Ltd, claiming the project managers failed to work towards the building of a diamond pan plant at its Sierra Leone Oversize Tailings

West Perth-based gold explorer Goldstar Resources NL has increased the value of a placement to investors after an Australian funds manager signed on to take 2.5 million shares at 43 cents each, raising $1.1 million.

Perth-based plastic tie fastening company Millipede International Ltd has completed a rights issue worth $1.5 million after underwriter Novus Capital subscribed for 85 per cent of shares offered.

Shareholders in Nedlands-based Dioro Exploration NL have approved the acquisition of Harmony Gold Mines Ltd's South Kalgoorlie Mining Operations as well plans to spin-off of its nickel holdings, list on the Toronto Stock Exchange and raise $70 million.

South Perth-based Pure Energy Resources Ltd has been named the preferred tenderer for two Queensland coal seam gas permits, and will hold both the CSG and rights on granting of the permits, the company has announced.

Perth biotechnology company Imugene Ltd has received notice of grant for patent protection for its Porcine Adenoviral Delivery Vector technology in the United States of America, the company has announced.

Perth-based metals explorer Tasman Resources NL will raise up to $2.5 million through a non-renounceable rights issue to shareholders on a one for ten basis, the company has announced.

South Perth-based energy company Aviva Corporation Ltd will raise $21 million through a placement of 30 million shares at 70 cents each for feasibility studies on coal projects in Western Australia and Botswana.

West Perth-based Jabiru Metals Ltd has refinanced a major debt facility of $US40 million, releasing Consolidated Minerals Ltd from a guarantee it had provided for the original loan.

West Perth-based metals explorer Reed Resources Ltd has raised $16.2 million through a placement, with plans to complete a definitive feasibility study on its Barrambie vanadium project and advance future project development.

Midwestplays down relationship with Sinosteel; re-elected Howard would call referendum to recognise indigenous; $133.5b worth of Boeing delayed; best job figures could bring interest rate increase; WA mining leader says the state is asleep at the wheel

East Perth-based Macmahon Holdings Ltd has joined Standard & Poor's All Australian 200 index, after Centro Shopping America Trust was removed from the list after merging with Centro Retail Trust.

Perth's housing market is staging a modest recovery with the median house price reaching $460,000 in the September quarter and tipped to keep rising until the New Year according to the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia.

Shares in nickel miner Sally Malay Mining Ltd closed up 7.3 per cent to $5.27 after the company announced a significant upgrade in reserves for its Lanfranchi joint venture project, south of Kambalda.

Brian Ellis, who replaced former Liberal MLC Margaret Rowe in the Western Australian Legislative Council in June this year, will take over the role of Shadow Minister for the Mid West next week, the State Liberals have announced.

Woodside Energy Ltd has extended its contract with West Perth-based IT infrastructure services provider ComputerCorp Ltd for another 12 months, the company has announced.