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Curtin gets millions to spark up battery centre

Oil prices edged lower overnight, slipping off five-month highs after the International Monetary Fund cut its global economic growth forecasts and as the Russian government signalled it may retreat from its production-cutting deal with OPEC.

Gold rose to its highest in more than a week overnight as the US dollar and equities weakened after the International Monetary Fund cut its global economic growth forecasts for the year, with increased buying by central banks lending further support.

Wynn Resorts has abruptly ended talks over its $10 billion takeover proposal for Crown Resorts, blaming the Australian casino operator for revealing the potential deal too early.

Oil Search has signed an agreement with the Papua New Guinean government for the Papua LNG Project, enabling initial work to begin on the giant development.

Australian shares have closed flat, with US casino operator Wynn Resorts' $10 billion takeover offer for Crown Resorts providing most of the day's excitement.

Deloitte is expanding its Perth change management services, acquiring two new partners and 22 staff from The Terrace Initiative.

Perth’s housing market is expected to continue its decline in 2019, with a trough not likely until 2020, according to the latest CoreLogic-Moody’s Analytics house price forecasts, which are substantially more negative than the previous report six months ago.

The federal government has pledged $17.2 million in funding for Rottnest Island, while the state government also announced today it would inject $16.2 million into the holiday destination.

OPINION: Global oversupply and price pressure, in addition to local environmental regulations, could spell trouble for major LNG projects.

Three junior explorers have announced capital raisings, with Beacon Minerals and Galan Lithium allocating the funds raised towards their respective flagship projects, while Pacifico Minerals is seeking to acquire a project.

Wesfarmers said its talks with the Malaysian government about Lynas Corporation had been mischaracterised, as the rare earths miner confirmed it was considering Western Australian sites for materials processing from its Mt Weld mine.

Westgold Resources has sold two lithium production royalties in the Goldfields to Silverstream, just over four months after it terminated an agreement to sell the royalties to the same company.

SRG Global has secured an $18 million contract with Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, less than a week after it announced it won up to $115 million worth of drill-and-blast services contract extensions with Evolution Mining.

Global miner Rio Tinto has approved the $463 million construction of the Zulti South project in South Africa, a move it says will extend the presence of its majority-owned Richards Bay Minerals in the country.

Crown Resorts shares have soared after the casino operator confirmed talks with Wynn Resorts over a $10 billion cash-and-scrip takeover proposal by the Las Vegas gambling giant.

Australian shares have opened marginally lower, with falls from the big banks offsetting a positive energy sector.

TAB Sale rocked by industry ire

Oil prices rose up to 2 per cent overnight, hitting five-month highs, on expectations that global supplies would tighten due to fighting in Libya, OPEC-led cuts and US sanctions against Iran and Venezuela.

Gold rose 1 per cent overnight to briefly breach $US1,300 an ounce and remained at its highest in more than a week as the US dollar slipped and a recent equities rally paused.

The process for obtaining liquor licences in Perth has become less clear after the Commissioner of Police successfully challenged approvals for a new Dan Murphy’s store in Rockingham.

Local timber businesses have about $100 million of investments in planning as they hope to benefit from demand for environmentally friendly products.

Major WA agribusinesses plan new investments to create scale and efficiency, while smaller operators are cooperating to access new markets with niche products.

Kalium Lakes’ proposed $284 million Beyondie sulphate of potash project has been recommended for approval by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The state government has attracted just two bidders, both headed by Spanish-owned companies, for its signature Metronet rail projects, despite altering its contracting strategy to boost market interest.

Australian shares have started the week on a positive note as investors hope for a US-China trade deal, with miners, the energy sector and health care posting the most gains.

WeDispatch was formed when Dublin-based WeBringg acquired Perth-based Spatula.io in July 2018, and the software development team continues to be based at IQX at the University of Western Australia.

Intermodal Group has announced a strategic partnership with QUBE Holdings in Western Australia, as the North Quay Rail Terminal (NQRT) goes up for tender.

Large businesses that offer 30-day payment terms to their smaller business partners rarely pay on time, a new study shows.

Medical researchers targeting reduced hospital readmissions, off-the-shelf cancer therapy, and 3D bone printing are among those to have benefitted from the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Fou

Wesfarmers has confirmed it engaged in discussions with the Malaysian government in regards to its takeover target, Lynas Corporation, as the rare earths miner revealed it may set up processing operations closer to its Mount Weld mine near Laverton.

Mark Pownall talks to former University of Notre Dame Australia vice-chancellor Celia Hammond about her early life, career and running for the federal seat of Curtin.