Latest Headlines

Nine Entertainment has agreed to sell its regional and community newspapers for $115 million, offloading about 170 titles acquired last year in its merger with Fairfax Media.

The Australian share market has opened lower and looked to be heading further downwards, with the major miners among the largest losers.

Feisty debate sets election race alight

Oil prices edged higher overnight as the market attempted to resume a weeks-long rally that was halted on Friday when US President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of US sanctions against Iran.

Palladium slumped about seven per cent overnight in its biggest daily percentage drop in more than two years while gold also fell as strong US data improved investors' appetite for riskier assets ahead of the US Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Western Australia's economy has been performing well below its long-term average but is showing signs of increasing economic momentum with growing exports and $73 billion of projects underway or under consideration, according to two new reports.

Alternative legal services provider LOD, which was founded in Perth as Balance Legal and grown to have international operations, has expanded by acquiring national competitor lexvoco.

The Australian share market has had its worst day in three weeks with the financial and energy sectors weighing heavily as analysts await economic clues from the US and China

An independent candidate for former foreign minister Julie Bishop's safe seat claims she is the victim of a "supposed hoax" involving fake opinion polling data and has refused to pull out of the election race.

Fortescue Metals Group has agreed to revise the alignment of its Eliwana rail line, currently under construction in the Pilbara, to avoid damaging Aboriginal heritage sites. FMG’s decision is a win for Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation.

Pioneer Credit’s shares have surged 27.4 per cent to close at $2.51 each, after the company confirmed it has received a takeover proposal at a “material premium” to its current share price.

OPINION: Muffled by the drumbeat of election campaigning as Australia heads towards its May 18 poll is a more sinister noise, demands for a big cut in interest rates, or the dumping of “helicopter” cash on the community – or both.

The Black Swan State Theatre Company is leading a push for comprehensive diversity, and connecting with corporate partners through these closely aligned aims.

Tempo Australia managing director Ian Lynass has resigned amid a major project cost blowout and the West-Perth company revealing it will likely move its headquarters to Sydney.

Perth-based company PainChek has received a $5 million investment from the federal government to implement its world-first smartphone pain assessment and monitoring device in aged care centres.

ASX-listed explosives maker Orica said it expected a $191 million writedown in its first-half results, primarily due to equipment defects and obsolete assets at its half-owned Burrup ammonium nitrate plant near Dampier.

Coles has lifted third-quarter food and liquor sales 2.1 per cent to $8 billion, boosted by its latest kid-focused collectables campaign.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has promised 1000 shipbuilding jobs at Henderson, and opposition leader Bill Shorten has pledged $75 million towards mining exploration, ahead of their debate tonight in Perth.

The Australian share market has opened lower despite Wall Street hitting new record highs, with the energy sector leading the losses.

Battery minerals buffeting behind short bet: Galaxy

Oil prices fell three per cent on Friday after US President Donald Trump again pressured the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to raise crude production to ease petrol prices.

Gold jumped to a near two-week high on Friday as the US dollar slipped on tepid US inflation data, outweighing an overall strong first-quarter growth report.

Gindalbie Metals has estimated that shares in its part-owned Karara iron ore project have a negative value in excess of $3.5 billion, as it seeks to convince shareholders to accept a takeover offer.

The Australian share market has been sapped of its recent bullishness during a thin day of trade, but the local bourse shook off a subdued resources sector to remain at a near 11-year high.

Australia's largest underground mining contractor Byrnecut Australia has reported a profit of $20.23 million for the 2018 calendar year, after lifting revenue to $991 million.

DTI Group has won a $3.6 million contract to supply and install its CCTV recording system on a fleet of trains which operate on the London Underground.

Flight Centre shares have dropped 12 per cent after Australia's biggest travel agency slashed its full-year profit guidance due to a weaker than expected performance in the local leisure market.

Energy sector analyst Wood Mackenzie has declared the liquefied natural gas (LNG) boom is back, with a prediction that more than $US200 billion will be invested in the sector over the next six years.

PODCAST: Mark Beyer and Matt Mckenzie discuss two major private WA companies – Andrew Forrest’s Harvest Road Group and mining contractor Byrnecut – plus the outlook for the Perth Basin and LNG projects, female directors, China’s Huawei, and our special report on construction companies.

RSLWA has an image issue, but chief executive John McCourt is determined to prove its relevance for a new generation of veterans.

Decmil has been awarded a $79 million contract for balance of plant works at the $400 million Yandin wind farm.

AP Eagers has increased its interest in Automotive Holdings Group by 9.15 per cent, as the takeover target appointed a former KPMG and Ernst and Young partner as its new chairman.