POLITICS & POLICY

Global Markets Overview - 08/29/2012

Stocks ended mostly lower Tuesday as an upbeat reading on U.S. housing prices was offset by a dour report on consumer confidence. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 21.68 points, or 0.17%, to 13102.99. The blue-chip benchmark fell for the sixth time in seven sessions, a choppy stretch during which the Dow has fallen 172 points, or 1.3%.

Vale SA Resumes Operations of Australian Coal Mine

Brazilian mining company Vale SA has resumed operations at its Carborough Downs coal mine, effectively lifting a declaration of force majeure, after a carbon monoxide leak forced the miner to suspend the operations of the mine on May 31 this year.
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Labor, Julia Gillard Rises in Fairfax-Nielsen Poll

The latest Fairfax-Nielsen survey showed the Labor-led national government collecting considerable gains from its dismal performance for the most part of 2012, inching closer to the likelihood of reversing a rousing Coalition win next year.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 07/27/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: Weaker Chinese data helped push the AUD below 1.0400 on Friday night but the ongoing threat of more central bank stimulus has kept the AUD above the 1.0400 level this morning.

Fresco Jesus: Funny Twitter Photos Gone Viral after ‘Worst Art Restoration’ [PHOTOS]

Twitter user ‘Fresco Jesus’ became an internet sensation after a Spanish grandmother tried-but-failed to restore a 120-year-old church fresco. The century-old artwork, titled “Ecce Homo” (Behold The Man), features a sorrowful Jesus Christ wearing a crown of thorns and looking up to the heavens. The 'worst restoration' has been dubbed, “Ecce Mono” (Behold the Monkey).

Tinkler Group No Longer Interested in Takeover Bid for Whitehaven Coal

In what could be a firm testament to Australia's mining regime deceleration, another buyout acquisition has turned pffft.On Friday, Whitehaven Coal Limited announced that major shareholder electrician-turned-mining magnate Nathan Tinkler and his Tinkler Group is no longer interested in pursuing a takeover bid for the company, worth $5.2 billion or $5.20 cash per share.

Global Markets Overview - 08/24/2012

The Dow industrials fell the most in more than a month Thursday amid mounting doubts about the prospect of more stimulus from the Federal Reserve and concerns about the sustainability of the market's summer gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gave up 115.30 points, or 0.9%, to 13057.46, its biggest drop since July 20

Australian Dollar Outlook - 08/24/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: US Fed Stimulus hopes take a back seat as concerns over the health of the domestic mining industry, and weaker Chinese data weigh on the Australian dollar.

Fairfax Media Shares Down Following Annual Net Loss of $2.8B

Fairfax Media Ltd., Australia's second largest newspaper publishing firm, has reported an annual net loss of A$2.8 billion ($2.9 billion). A domino effect immediately ensued among investor, sending shares to plummet 5.3 per cent to 53.5 AU cents, its most in two months.

India Coal Imports Surge Due to Falling Global Prices

With prices of thermal coal in the international market almost hitting rock bottom, consuming nations such as power crisis stricken India are expected to jump on the opportunity to increase its imports of the raw commodity.

Australia Welcomes First Samsung Retail Store

In what could be a sign of continued investor confidence despite the slackening resource boom, Australia opens to the public today the very first retail concept store of Samsung in the country, and along with it, the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet computer.

Global Markets Overview - 08/23/2012

U.S. stocks erased earlier losses to finish the day roughly flat, as investors rode hopes that the Federal Reserve may act again to stimulate the economy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended Wednesday's session off 30.82 points, or 0.2%, at 13172.76, after falling as many as 83 points earlier in the session.

Commission Recommends 21 Changes for Women to Flourish in Defence

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick said on Wednesday that the present atmosphere in Defence would not allow women to flourish within the organisation. To change this, she made 21 recommendations when she submitted her final report to the federal government.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 08/23/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian Dollar is currently trading around USD1.0500 as comments from the Federal Reserve during last night's offshore trading session boosted optimism in the markets and offset the glum feeling out of Europe.

Same Folks, Only Different Strokes

All in the same plate, only different viands. But no matter, Australia could still very much capitalize on China's growing interest on its agriculture sector as the latter once had on its resources sector.

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