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As traders finished the last full week of business before Thanksgiving, Wall Street was feeling grateful for a week of fresh records, central bank stimulus and big corporate mergers.

The Australian dollar is higher after China cut it key interest rates and the European Central Bank flagged more economic stimulus.

Gold prices have closed at their highest level in nearly three weeks, spurred by a drop in the US dollar and tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Wesfarmers has donated $5 million to the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research to help recruit a leader for what will be the first centre in Western Australia to focus on women’s cancers.

This is a speech delivered by Gina Rinehart at the Mining and Related Industry Awards lunch in Darwin. 

The growth of the cosmetic medicine industry has led two Perth entrepreneurs to expand their businesses in order to tap into more of the nation’s $6 billion annual spend.

Sandfire Resources managing director Karl Simich said reports in Fairfax today that its major shareholder, South Korean steel giant Posco, was attempting to offload its 15 per cent stake were mischievous.

Perth-based unlisted ATM provider Stargroup is set to be bought out for an undisclosed amount by ASX-listed iCash Payment Systems, after iCash announced today it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the acquisition.

A partnership between Wesfarmers and an indigenous art group has generated a new business opportunity.

Gindalbie Metals chairman Keith Jones has told shareholders at today’s annual general meeting that the last twelve months had been “confronting” for the company, and “as close to a perfect storm as one can get”.

In this week's Podcast, Mark Pownall, Mark Beyer and Saskia Pickles join James Lush to discuss Aldi’s move into Perth, regulatory reforms in the building, liquor, taxi and potato industries, the record turnout at Wesfarmers’ centenary AGM, the state of the trucking and transport industry, and growing investment in cosmetic medicine in Perth.

The state government has granted approval for an Augusta-based aquaculture company to expand its abalone production.

The world's largest fresh meat processor JBS will pay $1.45 billion to acquire small goods producer Primo Group as it looks to export pork to Asia.

A fifth straight day of falls has taken the share market to its worst weekly performance in more than a year.

Developers and prospective buyers of apartments with ocean views remain frustrated by the lack of opportunities along the metropolitan coast.

Wesfarmers has reported direct community investment of $44.6 million for the 2013-14 financial year, with social welfare and health the largest areas of expenditure.

Chief Justice Wayne Martin has thrown his support behind the establishment of a commercial arbitration centre in Perth, which is designed to win a greater share of the dispute resolution work that is often sent overseas.

Property investor BWP Trust has announced plans to purchase a site in Australind, near Bunbury, where associated company Bunnings Group intends to build a new warehouse store.

WA potatoes grow in a unique regulatory climate.

SEQTA software enables schools to manage attendance, student welfare, lesson planning, marking and reporting.

A former financial adviser who stole shares from a retiree client in Perth has been jailed for two years.

Abundant supply is driving commodity prices lower, but the good news is that Chinese demand for Australian resources will continue as its economy evolves, the Reserve Bank of Australia says.

Andrew Forrest bought $11 million worth of shares in his Fortescue Metals Group when their value hit a five-year low this week.

Myer chairman Paul McClintock has again taken a swipe at GST laws, saying they are unfair and harming trade.

The Australian Stock market is flat despite a positive lead from Wall Street.

The Dow and S&P 500 have notched fresh records on strong US economic data and a jump in oil company shares thanks to rebounding crude prices.

The Australian dollar is back above 86 US cents after flat American inflation figures made traders rethink a US rate rise.

Two Melbourne-based foreign exchange brokerage founders have been named the Ernst & Young 2014 Australian Entrepreneurs of the Year, with Aurora Oil and Gas founder Jonathan Stewart also being named one of six category winners.

A local app developer has raised concerns over a Department of Fisheries shark tracking app, which he says it remarkably similar to one he released in March. 

The government has thrown out an early marker for the 2017 state election.

Gold prices have fallen for a second day as investors refocus on the prospect of higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve.

Tugboat operator Teekay Shipping has avoided strike action scheduled for this weekend, reaching terms for new enterprise agreement for its engineers in Port Hedland