POLITICS & POLICY

Philippines Says No Ransom for Kidnapped Australian Warren Rodwell (VIDEO)

The Philippine government rules out any ransom negotiations over kidnapped Australian Warren Rodwell, and says it will continue with its operations until Rodwell is safely rescued. Four men who wore police uniforms stormed into Rodwell’s house in a village near the seaside town of Ipil in Mindanao region on December 5.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 06 January 2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Aussie Dollar unwound the last two days of gains, hitting a low of 1.0232 against the greenback overnight following falls in European markets and a mixed read on Wall Street.

Global Markets Overview -06 January 2012

From Morrison Securities Pty Ltd. U.S. stocks turned mostly higher Thursday, with the S&P 500 extending gains into a third day, as an improving labor market helped curtail concern about Europe's debt troubles.
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Michele Bachmann Drops Out of US Presidential Race

Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann announced Wednesday she has concluded her US presidential campaign, becoming the first Republican candidate to leave the race after failing to see favorable results in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

U.K. to Become World’s Third-Biggest LNG Buyer

The U.K. may become the world's third-biggest importer and consumer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), after Britain surpassed the import statistics of Spain in 2010, a U.S.-based gas consultant on Wednesday said

Zambia 2016 Copper Production Could Reach 1.6 Million Tonnes

The continuing global interest in Zambia's natural resources, particularly copper, which have led to increased investments in its mining sector, have prompted the Chamber of Mines of Zambia (CMZ) to forecast copper production capacity to hit 1.6 million tonnes per annum by 2016.

China's November Coal Yield Up 4.4%

Raw coal production from China jumped 4.4 per cent in November from a year ago, giving a total of 321 million tonnes. With this, the country's overall coal output from January to November 2011 reached 3.46 billion tonnes, a hike of 11.6 per cent from the same period of 2010.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday 1/5/2012

Yesterday, The Australian share market managed to improve for the second consecutive day with the All Ordinaries index (XAO) up 2.2 pct or 90.6 pts to 4245.8. But, overnight bank debt concerns in Europe, weak industrial metal prices and low trading in the U.S. held markets back. Causing the Australian markets to open lower, down 30 points.

Copper Down 3% on Euro Woes

Continued manic concerns over the maddening plight of financial crisis hitting the Euro zone have led copper futures, yet again, to tumble more than 3 percent on Wednesday.

Global LNG Demand to Boost Shippers’ Profits

Tankers hauling liquefied natural gas (LNG) ought to brace themselves not only for a busy operational turnover scheduling of transporting the chilled gas from supplier to client's port, but also for increased profits as global demand has been forecast to grow to an all-time high.

Australian Stock Market Report - Morning - 01/05/2012

MORNING REPORT(8.00am AEDT) -- US Market close US factory orders rose by 1.8pct in November, driven by aircraft and transportation orders. New orders excluding transportation rose by a more modest 0.3pct. Durable goods orders rose by 3.7pct.

Global Markets Overview - 5 January 2012

From Morrison Securities Pty. Ltd: U.S. stocks fluctuated between slim gains and declines Wednesday after rallying sharply in the previous session, as encouraging results from auto makers helped offset concerns about the Euro zone.

India’s Services Sector Index Grows 54.2 in December

Activity in India's services sector rose at its fastest pace in five months in December, data from a survey by Markit Economics and HSBC Bank showed Wednesday.Based on a survey of around 400 firms, the HSBC Markit Business Activity Index grew 54.2 in December from 53.2 in November, staying above the borderline 50 mark which separates growth from contraction. It was India's second consecutive monthly growth for its services sector.

China Braces for Difficult Q1

Barely a week into the new year and yet China is already bracing itself for a difficult first quarter 2012 on weakening exports, no thanks to the continuing mad financial crisis affecting its major export market, the Euro zone.

Almost 80% of Molycorp Phase 1 Production of Rare Earths Already Committed

In what seems to be a testament of the global pandemonium for supply of rare earths, American rare earths producer Molycorp, Inc. on Tuesday reported it had entered into customer supply agreements representing 78 per cent of expected output from the Phase 1 expansion works at its Mountain Pass, California rare earth mine and oxide manufacturing facility.

Australia Pressures Fiji to Bring Back Democracy Soon

The Australian government urged Fiji's military rulers on Tuesday to restore democracy in the island republic, a day after the country's leader, Voreqe Bainimarama, announced immediate plans of reforms after seizing power in 2006.

Abbott Renews Calls on Immigration Policy Compromise

Fresh reports of boat refugees intercepted anew by Australian authorities on Monday prompted new calls from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for Prime Minister Julia Gillard to finally adjust her immigration policy.

Gold Strikes Above $1600

Gold futures advanced a tad higher on Wednesday, by far its best level in little over a week, on a weakening US dollar and Iran's pronouncement of its progress in its nuclear program.As of 0015 GMT, spot gold inched 0.2 per cent to $1,606.09 an ounce, its biggest daily gain in more than two months.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday 1/4/2012

Yesterday, The Australian Stock market ended higher, All Ordinaries index (XAO) gaining 1.1 pct or 44.2 pts to 4155.2. The market started off stronger this morning up 1.2pct at the open of trade.

How Hard Would It Be For Avian Flu To Spread?

Current reports indicate that two groups of scientists were paid to genetically change a lethal virus into something more infectious. It has triggered fear, even rage, in a few quarters.

China’s Continued Restrictions Prompts Decline in Home Sales

China's continued tightening of regulation policies on its property market has affected sales of both new and existing homes in Beijing.Latest data by Centaline China Property Research, the city's housing regulator, showed sales of new home in Beijing fell 18.4 per cent to only 90,605 units in 2011 compared from a year ago, the Beijing News reported Monday.

China, India Remain Resilient Amid Stumbling Eurozone

With China and India, both emerging economies, posting favorable manufacturing statistics in the last month of 2011, it surely goes to prove the Asian region is very much resilient to the fiscal rollercoaster ride in the European region. Suffice to say, that in the event Europe goes down, Asia could possibly remain firm.

Slowly but Surely, Lynas Rare Earths Malaysian Mine to Operate Soon

In what could be a positive signal for the eventual opening of its controversial rare earths plant in 2012, the Malaysian Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) has put for public consultation the application for a temporary operating licence of Australian rare earth processing company Lynas Corp.

Iran Tests Fires Missiles, West Warns of Quick Response

As Western powers move closer to enforce its planned economic sanctions against Iran, Tehran gave the green light for its navy to conduct test firings of missiles on Monday, quickly earning condemnations from France and the United States.

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