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The Australian share market closed in the red on Tuesday, defying firmer commodity prices and a positive lead from the US overnight amid expectations that interest rates will be cut for the second tim

Exciting times are likely to continue for the state's film and television industry, according to ScreenWest CEO Ian Booth, following last week's announcement of the beneficiary of the 2008 West Coast Visions initiative.

When Bronwyn Barnes met WA Business News, the stock market was in free fall and she seemed quite relieved to get away from the carnage that was taking place on the screens.

BHP Billiton's informal takeover offer for mining rival Rio Tinto may be the biggest takeover deal on the cards, but locally there is plenty of action among small and mid-cap mining companies.

With Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group set to become the Pilbara's third iron ore exporter this year, many other companies are racing to join the ranks of iron ore producers in the resource-rich region.

Narelle Finch is not the first woman to sit on the board of the Western Australian Cricket Association, but she has achieved an extraordinary amount not only as a female in sport, but also as one who acknowledges she knows little about the games she works

The Western Australian Trade Enquiry Service is operated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) with the support of the WA Government's Department of Industry and Resources

Boutique investment bank Azure Capital has been appointed corporate advisor to the proposed initial public offering of bauxite explorer Cape Alumina Pty Ltd, targeted for mid 2008.

State Training Board chairman Keith Spence has called on Western Australian industry to get involved in a restructuring of the training advisory bodies, whch will be cut from 14 to eight industry bodies.

Monaro Mining NL has signed an agreement with China's Sinosteel Corporation to assess and develop the West Perth-based company's uranium projects in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The federal government has nominated Fremantle Prison for a World Heritage listing, along with 10 other convict sites accross Australia.

EnviroGold Ltd has mandated Standard Bank Plc to provide a US$23 million ($25.8 million) term loan facility and a US$2 million ($2.2 million) cost overrun facility for the company's 70 per cent owned Las Lagunas Gold Project in the Dominican Republic.

Cape Lambert Iron Ore Ltd has taken a significant step forward in the development of its namesake Western Australian iron ore project, following confirmation of a 59 per cent increase to the resource estimate at the project to 1.56 billion tonnes.

State government strategies to tackle Western Australia's teacher shortage appear to be working with vacancy rates for the start of the 2008 school year around half of what they were at the same time last year.

The state government has called for expressions of interest for the provision of up to 200 factory-built houses to be constructed, delivered and installed in regional and remote areas of Western Australia.

Fortescue blasts sceptics; BHP can afford a lot more, says Rio; Economic shockwave hits China; Compass scoops up Perth's "best" hotel, the Greenwood; Tricom staggers under weight of margin calls

Takeover target Midwest Corporation Limited has announced a 17 per cent increase in the total estimated mineral resource inventory at its flagship iron ore project at Weld Range, but has a long way to go before reaching its target resource.

An expected widening of the gap between official interest rates in Australia and the US could herald a period of instability for the Australian dollar.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer has pledged $100 million to medical research in Western Australia, stating that it was the first of a planned $1 billion giving campaign.

Newly listed diversified Australian resources company Apollo Minerals Ltd has confirmed that Chinese Iron and Steel Grouphave taken a 3.9 per cent stake in the company and is looking to increase its stake to 19.9 per cent.

IMF head fuels fears of share turmoil; ERG seeks financiers' aid; Coal and iron soar as disruptions highlight fragile market; Ailing MFS calls in the survival experts; Premier tackles 'poison' of Burke

Perth's property market is on the verge of a sustained period of weakening house prices according to market analysts Australian Property Monitors.

Nickel hopeful Heron Resources Ltd has placed its Jump-Up Dam heap leach operation on care and maintenance, after results of a pre-feasibility study concluded the process did not make an adequate return on investment on the back of rising costs.

Pilbara iron ore developer Aurox Resources Ltd has appointed engineering and manufacturing giants FLSmidth Minerals Pty Ltd and Siemens Ltd to construct its Balla Balla magnetite project, south west of Port Hedland.

Subiaco-based Golden State Resources Ltd has announced the deadline extention of its initial public offer for partly-owned subsidiary, White Canyon Uranium Ltd, by 26 days to February 18, 2008.

Nomad Building Solutions Ltd has appointed Macmahon Holding Ltd's general manager strategic development Phillip Hatt as its new chief executive.

$8bn fraud on French bank; ERG waive options in Sydney debacle; Newcrest warns of costs blowouts at Telfer mine; Sinosteel ups ante with 10 % of Midwest; Centro new boss rules out assets fire sale

Perth-based tungsten explorer Hazelwood Resources Ltd says it has scapped the planned February 6 float of wholly owned subsidiary BigHill Resources Ltd, due to continued stock market volatility.

Nomad Building Solutions Ltd subsidiaries, Modular Building Pty Ltd and MacGrath Homes, have picked up $60 million worth of new contracts in the Pilbara courtesy of the state's mining giants.

Golden State Resources Ltd has successfully raised $2.03 million via a share placement to mainly fund vendor payments for the Golden Eagle Oil & Gas Prospect in the United States.

The state government has released 81 residential lots in Karratha to the public with a further 157 lots allocated to native title parties, resource companies and government agencies.

Despite their confidence in the strength of the Western Australian economy, WA chief executives are seriously concerned about the impact of the current regulatory environment, bureaucracy and poor planning on the state's future economic growth.