POLITICS & POLICY

Apparently irked over China's slow progress in developing the Belinga iron ore deposit, the government of West African nation Gabon has been reported mulling to transfer the mine's exploration and ownership rights to BHP Billiton Ltd., in what could be a winning moment for the latter as it works to branch out its main production base away from Western Australia's Pilbara region.

The Australian sharemarket is losing ground for the second time this week, with the All Ordinaries index down 0.1 pct or 4.8 pts to 4272.9. This is despite gains from both European and U.S markets overnight.

Posco of South Korea, the world's third-biggest steelmaker, prompted by heating competition from rival Asian steelmaking countries China and India, as well as the United States, on Tuesday announced it is in talks to increase its ownership control in the Roy Hill iron ore project in Western Australia.

Same-sex marriage is a hot topic that everyone has an opinion on. While some people wanting to legalize same-sex marriage in Australia, others don’t even want to hear from it. With a gay union bill in the works of being introduced, what does it actually take to have it passed?

Same-sex marriage is a hot topic that everyone has an opinion on. While some people wanting to legalize same-sex marriage in Australia, others don’t even want to hear from it. With a gay union bill in the works of being introduced, what does it actually take to have it passed?

The South Australian Supreme Court overturned on Tuesday a ministerial approval given to Argonaut Resources (ASX: ARE) to drill for copper, gold and iron-oxide in parts of Lake Torrens and Andamooka Island.

U.S. imposed sanctions on China's state-run Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, along with two other firms, for trading refined oil products to Iran.

The acceptance of gold as a reserve requirement held by Turkish banks led to a rise of holdings of the yellow metal. In November, Turkey added 63 tonnes of gold, which boosted the purchase of gold by 41.3 per cent. It was the largest increase in gold buys that month.

The pokies pre-commitment scheme championed by Independent MP Andrew Wilkie could soon fizzle out following the reported pull out of supports for the gambling reform proposal, media reports said.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will make banks from Australia and 17 other nations undergo a stress test to ensure these lenders could withstand another financial crisis. It is part of the required five-year check-up of the top 25 global financial sectors.

The final approval allowing Australia's Lynas Corp.'s rare earths facility to be fully operational is now caught in a thorny path of Malaysian national elections slated in March.

Some 540 local businesses in Australia have been investing in rapidly changing technology in the last three years in spite the low tax incentive from the federal government, according to the latest Australian Industry Group/Deloitte National CEO report.

After the Australian market closed lower yesterday by 47 points or just over 1pct, this morning the All Ordinaries index (XAO) turned the corner opening up 34 points higher.

Martin Luther King Jr, was known as the dominant leader of the U.S. civil rights movement from 1955 until 1968. Rev. Dr. King was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's teachings which focused on nonviolent protest as the most effective method in putting an end to a racist and unequal society.

Could it really be a 'Happy New Year' for China as it welcomes the new lunar year? On Tuesday, the world awaits the official results of China 's fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) even as economic experts and analysts already foresee a growth decline not below 9 percent.

The Australian sharemarket has pulled back today following a negative end to the week from global markets and ratings downgrades for a number of Eurozone economies. The All Ordinaries index (XAO) fell 1.1 pct or 46.5 pts to 4208.9 however activity remained light due to a public holiday in the U.S tonight.

After losing to China the world gold buyer status, Indian gold jewelry demand has been forecast to grow 10 percent to 15 percent in 2012 on expectations prices of gold will fall down versus the rupee.

Precious metal gold, despite roller coaster highs and lows, will still rule over all precious metals.

Construction works on the Martabe gold and silver mine project in North Sumatra, previously owned by Australian gold and copper miner OZ Minerals, is almost complete, with gold and silver production expected to commence by the end of March, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the mine's new owner, G-Resources, said.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government is so dead-bent on seeing the 2014 G20 Summit in Canberra that it has indicated its willingness to play second fiddle to Sydney to win the gig.

Australia ranked third on the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom released on Friday by U.S. think tank Heritage Foundation. Hong Kong topped the list, followed by Singapore.

China's coming leadership shifts are all part of its political routine and do not promise fundametal change, says Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd.

The Australian sharemarket has kicked off the week in the red with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) down 1 pct or 41.3 pts to 4214.1. Almost all sectors are losing ground however the miners are the worst performers, down around 1.3 pct.

Although the Australian stock market was expected to be the first major market to react to the Standard & Poor's downgrade of nine European nations, the response was relatively subdued.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: Financial markets focused on the credit downgrade of the sovereign debt of nine European nations by S & P on Friday that again highlighted the debt woes that Europe faces.

The Australian Stock Market is seen getting on a rough start but could eventually take off after a mildly positive lead from the U.S. overnight. Analysts from CMC Markets, OptionsXpress of Charles Schwabb, and IG Markets have shared market key indicators for Monday.

U.S. stocks fell Friday, but squeaked out an advance for the week, as fears of a credit downgrade of several euro-zone countries added to disappointing results from J.P. Morgan Chase.

Journalists trying to cover the year-old Arab Spring revolution mostly encounter attacks, arrests, and death. Recently, a French TV reporter, Gilles Jacquier, was added to the increasing toll of affected correspondents.

The Australian sharemarket managed to end higher for the third time this week, with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) rising 0.4 pct or 17 pts to 4255.4. This is the third time this week that shares locally improved, something which has not happened in well over a month. The XAO rose by 2.1 pct over the week adding to last week's 1.3 pct improvement.