POLITICS & POLICY

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.

Reliance Power Ltd. by Indian billionaire Anil Ambani and global energy giant Royal Dutch Shell Plc are reportedly mulling to put up what could become India's first east-coast liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.

The Gladstone Ports Corporation is exerting efforts to have its harbour removed from the World Heritage List so that it could continue with its dredging operations sans international scrutiny, according to the Greens.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Indian iron ore miners cautioned federal authorities total shipments of the key steel-making raw material ingredient will unlikely exceed 50 million tonnes in 2012 following the recent implemented increase in the duties of iron ore exports by the country.

Gold One International is now 89.17 percent owned by BCX Gold Investment Holdings, a consortium of Chinese investors, after the latter had successfully completed the required A$150 million subscription investment to gain majority ownership of the dual-listed South African and Australian gold producer.

Israel's military will soon warn citizens in real time and in multiple languages of incoming missiles that are not intercepted via SMS.

Today is the first day of trading for the 2012 calendar year, The Australian Stock market ended the last day of 2011, 19 points lower. But today, after higher commodity prices and light trading in Europe the market opened stronger.

Global record high prices of gold as well as high domestic interest rates have affected imports of the yellow metal by the world's largest buyer, India, falling 9.11% in 2011 compared a year ago, the Bombay Bullion Association said on Monday.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: With the majority of offshore equity markets and commodity markets in the US closed for the New Year's holiday, the AUD is remaining steady around USD1.0200 level in thinly traded markets.

MORNING REPORT(8.00am AEDT)The euro zone purchasing managers index rose from 46.4 to 46.9 in December. The French index rose from 47.3 to 48.9 and the German index lifted from 47.9 to 48.4. In figures released on Sunday the official Chinese manufacturing index rose from 49.0 to 50.3 in December.

From Morrison Securities Pty Ltd.: The final Labor Department jobs report for 2011 will punctuate another holiday shortened week. In addition to the figures on joblessness some of the most closely watched indicators markets will mull over monthly sales figures from retailers for the key holiday-shopping month of December.

New Delhi, India was unsuccessful to obtain critical anticorruption law through its Parliament in a confrontational late-night conference Thursday.

It's raining fireworks! New Year may be regarded as the world's firework festival. Most countries worldwide welcome the new chapter with a big bang of pyrotechnics.

Expect the economies of China and India in a more languid pace in 2012, according to leading Yale University lecturer and global economist Dr. Stephen S. Roach.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard fulfilled her earlier pledge of pushing up the benefits contained in the Family Tax Benefits, picking the first day of the year to mark the realisation of an electoral promise.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser and his Cabinet had agreed with former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's proposal to test fire an intercontinental ballistic missile called MX from California to the Tasman Sea in 1981, according to secret files released by the National Archives of Australia on Sunday. The test firing never pushed through.

Gay union advocates have called on the Australian Labor Party on Monday to consider right timing before any member of the ruling party officially introduces private member's bill supporting same-sex marriage.

Iran test-fired a new missile that can hit radar-evading missiles during a naval drill in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. It also announced the successful test of locally-made nuclear fuel rods for powering nuclear reactors.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard was appointed by the Queen to the Order of Merit. The order is bestowed on individuals who have achieved exceptional distinction in the arts, learning, sciences and other areas such as public service.

Welcoming 2012 may be varied in different areas around the world, but such a celebration holds one common practice - to party and make noise! It's the time to be happy and cheerful.

India has decided to further open up the country's stock market as part of its efforts to attract more investments and reignite growth of its domestic economy.

Hackers have stolen emails from the Strategic Forecasting Inc., a private analysis company serving for clients such as the Wall Street banks, U.S. military, and other big corporations. Hackers are associated with an Anonymous group and have indicated that they are prepared to publicize what they have taken from the firm.

The great leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, received a copious memorial service under a gloomy sky on Dec. 28 during the time his administration combined traditional-style militarism together with a noble procession in honor of its ruler.

Royals have finally disclosed their earnings for this year. King Juan Carlos on Wednesday revealed that he got 292,752 euros, which is equivalent to $382,600 in 2011.

Australia is in a stronger position than most to handle the expected global slowdown to come from the European debt problem, Treasurer Wayne Swan said. In fact, the country can maximise the opportunities that will come from the Asia-Pacific, now the strongest part of the global economy.