German gas giant Linde sees soft results this year
FRANKFURT AFP - The German industrial gases giant Linde declined on Monday to give a detailed outlook for 2009 but said sales and profit could fall below their level last year. ...
Lufthansa unveils cuts in hours of 1-000 staff
FRANKFURT AFP - The leading German airline- Lufthansa- said Monday it planned to put around 1-000 ground staff on reduced working hours because of a decline in passenger traffic. ...
Oil prices slide as OPEC sits tight
LONDON AFP - Oil prices slumped on Monday after OPEC decided against cutting output further and as the cartels kingpin Saudi Arabia said it ideally wanted 60-75 dollars for a barrel of crude. ...
Toyota Outlines Motor Sports Activities for 2009
Tokyo- Mar 16- 2009 - JCN Newswire - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION TMC- which regards motor sports as an ideal medium for conveying the anticipation and excitement associated with automobiles- announces it plans to continue engaging in motor sports this year- despite being financially restricted by severe business conditions. TMC plans to focus on these top-class racing series- ...
Mazda- the First Japanese Automaker to Develop a Urea SCR System for Cars
Hiroshima- Mar 16- 2009 - JCN Newswire - Mazda Motor Corporations sporty SUV- the Mazda CX-7- will be the first passenger vehicle produced by a Japanese automaker to be equipped with a urea selective catalytic reduction SCR system. Mazdas SCR is smaller than previous systems- which is a significant improvement that enables it to be installed in passenger cars. It will be combined with Mazdas newly developed clean- highly efficient MZR-CD 2. ...
Dollar gains after disappointing G20 meeting
TOKYO AFP - The dollar rose slightly in Asia Monday after G20 finance ministers vowed to do whatever it takes to ease the economic downturn but stopped short of agreeing to concerted stimulus measures. ...
UBS makes further board reshuffle
ZURICH AFP - Embattled Swiss bank UBS on Monday announced a further shake-up to its management team- saying three members of its board of directors would step down. ...
Chinas CITIC Securities teams with US brokerage
SHANGHAI AFP - A subsidiary of Chinas largest listed brokerage- CITIC Securities- said Monday it had set up a finance joint venture with US investment banking firm Evercore Partners Inc. ...
Wilderness Societys David and Goliath struggle over
Tasmanian timber company Gunns has settled legal action against The Wilderness Society- which began in 2004 when Gunns served a writ on 20 environmentalists protesting against the companys logging operations. ...
StatoilHyrdro reports big gas find off Norway
OSLO AFP - Norwegian group StatoilHyrdro said on Monday that it had found a deepwater gas field off the Norwegian cost that could hold 16 billion cubic metres of gas- describing it as -amp quotone of the bigger disoveries off Norway in recent years. -amp quot ...
Wilderness Societys David and Goliath struggle over
Tasmanian timber company Gunns has settled legal action against The Wilderness Society- which began in 2004 when Gunns served a writ on 20 environmentalists protesting against the companys logging operations. ...
Oil prices slide as OPEC sits tight
LONDON AFP - Oil prices slumped on Monday after the OPEC cartel decided against cutting output further. ...
Barclays considering iShares fund sale
LONDON AFP - Barclays bank said Monday it was in talks over the sale of its asset management business iShares and was negotiating with the British government on a plan to provide guarantees for risky assets. ...
Barclays considers toxic asset scheme
LONDON AFP - Barclays bank said Monday it was in talks over the sale of its asset management business iShares and was negotiating with the British government on a plan to provide guarantees for risky assets. ...
Aussie designer takes Chinese bootleggers to court - and wins
Australias struggling car components industry is taking heart from a court ruling on cheap overseas copies. ...
Chinalco-Rio deal may be conflict of interest- AFIC
An institutional investor in Rio Tinto says Chinalcos plan to increase its stake in the miner could be a conflict of interest. ...
Chinalco-Rio deal may be conflict of interest- AFIC
An institutional investor in Rio Tinto says Chinalcos plan to increase its stake in the miner could be a conflict of interest. ...
Barclays in talks on toxic asset scheme
Barclays says it is in talks over the sale of its asset management business iShares and is negotiating with the UK government over guarantees for risky assets. ...
Petrol price falls to six-week low
The price of petrol has fallen to a six-week low as the oil cartel OPEC decided against another round of production cuts. ...
Tas food and wine fest targets the rich
The Tasmanian Government is hoping a new food festival- called Savour Tasmania- will attract wealthy food and wine lovers to the state. ...
Tas food and wine fest targets the rich
The Tasmanian Government is hoping a new food festival- called Savour Tasmania- will attract wealthy food and wine lovers to the state. ...
Renewed warning over WAs finances
Western Australias Under Treasurer Tim Marney has again expressed concern about the impact of the Royalties for Regions policy on the states budget. ...
Oil drops over 3 pct after OPEC keeps output steady
PERTH- March 16 - Oil fell more than 3 percent on Monday- to below $45 a barrel- as traders questioned whether OPECs decision to enforce better compliance with previous curbs instead of new production cuts was enough to stem eroding demand. ...
Market sheds early gains
The Australian share market lost most of its early gains to close only slightly higher on Monday. ...
Borrowing up for second straight month
Consumers and businesses increased their borrowings for the second straight month as low interest rates made debt more appealing- an economist says. ...
Petrol price falls to six-week low
The price of petrol has fallen to a six-week low as the oil cartel OPEC decided against another round of production cuts. ...
Signs of lending pickup brighten outlook
There are signs that credit is starting to flow again in Australia- bolstering expectations that the recession will not set in. ...
Qld airline Sky Air World collapses
The financially troubled Brisbane-based airline- Sky Air World- has collapsed. ...
World neared monetary meltdown- Bernanke
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said in an interview that the world came -amp quotvery close -amp quot to a financial meltdown last year before governments stepped in. ...
Fuel prices likely to keep falling- economists
Economists say the price of fuel is likely to continue to drop over the next fortnight as global demand for oil slumps. ...
BHP SA mine expansion faces 2-year delay
BHP Billiton's multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Olympic Dam mine in SA is likely to be delayed by two years due to the economic downturn- an analyst says. ...
BHP SA mine expansion faces 2-year delay
BHP Billiton's multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Olympic Dam mine in SA is likely to be delayed by two years due to the economic downturn- an analyst says. ...
Aussie off highs bonds dip as smaller rate cut eyed
SYDNEY- March 16 - The Australian dollar AUD recoiled from highs on Monday as some investors sold into its recent strength- but uncertainty over how far Australias interest rates may fall in April limited selling. ...
World neared monetary meltdown- Bernanke
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said in an interview that the world came -amp quotvery close -amp quot to a financial meltdown last year before governments stepped in. ...
Asciano 'risks fire sale' of its assets
Debt-laden transport infrastructure firm Asciano could be facing a full takeover as it struggles to sell sole assets in the current difficult market conditions. ...
Australian shares up 0.1 pct- banking stocks rise
SYDNEY- March 16 - Australian shares rose 0.1 percent on Monday as banks including Commonwealth Bank of Australia CBA gained following strong rises in overseas financials at the end of last week- offsetting declines in the top miners. ...
Azurn seeks $3m from IPO amid volatility
IT company Azurn International is pressing ahead with a public listing despite share market volatility- and says it is confident of achieving profit growth. ...
In South Carolina- jobs fade but optimism remains
After weeks of delivering dismal assessments on the state of the US economy- the Obama administration is now striking a more optimistic note. ...
Major Rio shareholder airs Chinalco fear
Rio Tinto major shareholder Australian Foundation Investment Company has expressed concern over Chinalco's investment in the company. ...
Oil falls below $45 after OPEC delays cuts
SINGAPORE AFP - World oil prices tumbled below 45 dollars a barrel in Asian trade Monday after the OPEC cartel decided during a weekend meeting not to cut output. ...
Australia delays call on Chinalco- Rio Tinto deal
SYDNEY AFP - Australias government has delayed making a decision on whether to approve a 19. ...
SkyCity says H2 revenue tracking well
Casinos and cinemas operator SkyCity Entertainment Group says revenue for the first two months of calendar 2009 has improved slightly- despite the soft economy. ...
Nuplex seeks $88m in shares to cut debt
NZ-based chemicals and building products supplier Nuplex Industries is seeking to raise $NZ110 million $A88 million in the issue of new shares to cut debt. ...
Uranium Association calls for debate on nuclear power
The Australian Uranium Association says there is no reason why Australia should not have a nuclear power industry. ...
Asian Markets Overview of March 16
Sydney- Australia- Mar 16- 2009 - ABN Newswire - Most Asian markets jumped on Friday after an extended rally on Wall Street. Japans Nikkei 225 soared 5.2 while Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index jumped 4.4 and Taiwans Taiex rose 3.0. But South Koreas Kospi and Shanghai Composite ended slightly lower on Friday.Today the Asian markets include Japan- Hong Kong and South Korea opened higher following the upbeat sentiment in the US market. ...
In South Carolina- jobs fade but optimism remains
After weeks of delivering dismal assessments on the state of the US economy- the Obama administration is now striking a more optimistic note. ...
Australia shares up 0.1 pct banks up- miners fall
SYDNEY- March 16 - Australian shares rose 0.1 percent on Monday- as gains in banks offset declines in index-heavy resources stocks. ...
BHP SA mine expansion faces 2-year delay
BHP Billiton's multi-billion-dollar expansion of the Olympic Dam mine in SA is likely to be delayed by two years due to the economic downturn- an analyst says. ...
Oil drops over 3 pct after OPEC keeps output steady
PERTH- March 16 - Oil fell over 3 percent to below $45 a barrel on Monday as traders questioned whether OPECs decision to enforce better compliance with previous curbs rather than make new production cuts was enough to offset eroding global demand. ...
In South Carolina- jobs fade but optimism remains
After weeks of delivering dismal assessments on the state of the US economy- the Obama administration is now striking a more optimistic note. ...
Borrowing up for second straight month
Consumers and businesses increased their borrowings for the second straight month as low interest rates made debt more appealing- an economist says. ...
In South Carolina- jobs fade but optimism remains
After weeks of delivering dismal assessments on the state of the US economy- the Obama administration is now striking a more optimistic note. ...
Major Rio shareholder has Chinalco fears
Rio Tinto major shareholder Australian Foundation Investment Company has expressed concern over Chinalco's investment in the company. ...
Gunns reaches settlement with Wilderness Society
Tasmanian timber company Gunns has settled legal action against the Wilderness Society- after spending nearly five years pursuing 20 environmentalists. ...
China faces $US80b foreign equity losses
China may have lost more than $US80 billion of its foreign exchange reserves after buying into equities just before world markets collapsed- a report says. ...
Azurn seeks $3m from IPO amid volatility
IT company Azurn International is pressing ahead with a public listing despite share market volatility- and says it is confident of achieving profit growth. ...
Ray White in $350m Auction Spectacular
Real estate group Ray White is holding a trans-Tasman auction- hoping low interest rates and the first home grant will help make it more than $350 million. ...
Pike River Coal Limited NZE-PRC Rights Issue Of NZ $41 Million Fully Underwritten
Auckland- New Zealand- Mar 16- 2009 - ABN Newswire - Pike River Coal Limited NZE-PRCPINK-PKRRF rights issue of NZ $41 million announced on 3 March 2009 will be fully underwritten. The renounceable rights issue is an entitlement to one share at 70 cents with an accompanying bonus option for every five Pike River shares held. The bonus options have a two year term and can be exercised at NZ $1.25 each. ...
AIG used $US22b govt funds to pay firms
US insurance giant AIG revealed it passed on $A34.2 billion worth of government bailout funds to other banks and financial firms- a company statement said. ...
OPEC to keep current production levels
OPEC agreed on Sunday to keep current production levels unchanged until May- Iraqi oil minister Hussein al-Shahristani said. ...
Govt extends review of Chinalco-Rio deal
The Federal Government has announced it needs more time to scrutinise the proposal by Chinas biggest aluminium producer- Chinalco- to increase its stake in Rio Tinto. ...
In South Carolina- jobs fade but optimism remains
After weeks of delivering dismal assessments on the state of the US economy- the Obama administration is now striking a more optimistic note. ...
ASX lifts despite sluggish resources sector
The Australian sharemarket is higher but the resources sector is dragging on stocks. ...
MKY Resources Limited ASX-MKY Secures New Lease Immediately South Of 6.3Mlb U3O8 Maureen Deposit
Perth- Australia- Mar 16- 2009 - ABN Newswire - MKY Resources Limited ASX-MKY has a number of properties in the highly regarded Georgetown Province which host numerous known high grade uranium deposits. MKY has added to this position by applying for EPM 18027 which until recently was held in moratorium. The new lease covers 107 square kilometres in total area.EPM 18027 lies 2. ...
Trains cancelled after rats chew through cables
Rats caused seven trains to be cancelled on the Ballarat line last night. ...
Fears oil spill tourism impact to reach north Qld
Townsville Enterprise expects coverage of the oil spill off Brisbane will have an impact on tourism to north Queensland. ...
Chinalco Rio decision delayed 90 days
The Foreign Investment Review Board has delayed making a decision on Chinalco's $19.5 billion stake in mining giant Rio Tinto for 90 days. ...
Aussie dollar off highs vs yen- US $ bonds slip
AUSTRALIAN CREDIT-FOREXSNAPSHOT FOREIGN EXCHANGE AT 0037 GMTagainst previous Sydney close AUD 0.6561-630.6521-26 AUDNZDR1.2514-421.2555-77 AUDJPYR 64.59-64 63 ...
Clover Corporation Limited ASX-CLV Announces Appointment Of GTC Nutrition As Its Exclusive Distributor And Agent Of Omega-3 HiDHA Ingredents
Sydney- Australia- Mar 16- 2009 - ABN Newswire - Clover Corporation Limited ASX-CLVPINK-CLVCF wholly owned subsidiary Nu-Mega Ingredients Pty Ltd -amp quotNu-Mega -amp quot has appointed North American based GTC Nutrition- a business unit of Corn Products International- Inc. NYSE-CPO- as exclusive distributor and agent of Nu-Mega Ingredients range of refined and microencapsulated fish oil powders in the Americas and the European Union. ...
Poseidon says in talks to buy Cawse
Nickel explorer Poseidon Nickel says the company is in discussions with Russian group Norilsk about its acquisition of the Cawse project in Western Australia. ...
Westpac warned over Do Not Call breach
A formal warning has been issued to Westpac after an independent investigation found the banks telemarketers had phoned people listed on a national Do Not Call register. ...
World neared monetary meltdown- Bernanke
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said in an interview that the world came -amp quotvery close -amp quot to a financial meltdown last year before governments stepped in. ...
Rio shareholder airs Chinalco concerns
Rio Tinto major shareholder Australian Foundation Investment Company has expressed concern over Chinalco's investment in the company. ...
Marion Energy Limited ASX-MAE Formal Process Now Commenced On Possible Sale Of Company To Goldman Sachs NYSE-GS
Melbourne- Australia- Mar 16- 2009 - ABN Newswire - Marion Energy Limited ASX-MAEPINK-MAEJF announced it had mandated Goldman Sachs NYSE-GS -amp amp Company to seek global buyers for the Company and-or its assets in whole or in part.The Company advises that the formal process relating to the possible sale of the company and its assets has now commenced. ...
Jan personal finance commitments up 1.4
Total personal finance commitments rose 1.4 per cent in January- seasonally adjusted- to $6.492 billion- compared with $6.402 billion in December- the ABS says. ...
Computershare to buy KCC for $148m
Computershare Ltd has agreed to purchase US firm Kurtzman Carson Consultants KCC for at least $US97 million. ...
Govt set to extend review of Chinalco-Rio deal
Australias Foreign Investment Review Board is expected to extend its review of Chinalcos proposed $30 billion investment in mining company Rio Tinto. ...
Migrant cuts tipped to ease housing strain
A leading economist says the Federal Governments decision to reduce Australias skilled migrant intake should help ease significant housing shortages- especially in Sydney and Melbourne. ...
Australian shares up 0.3 pct- miners dampen mood
SYDNEY- March 16 - Australian shares rose 0.3 percent on Monday buoyed by banks including Commwealth Bank of Australia CBA after strong gains in overseas financials at the end of last week- but falls in top miners put a cap on gains. ...
Atlas inks China iron ore offtake deals
Junior iron ore producer Atlas Iron Ltd has signed two long-term offtake agreements with Chinese steel mills for product from its Pardoo mine in WA. ...
Asciano mulls over asset sale proposals
Debt-laden transport infrastructure firm Asciano Group says it is considering the sale of up to 100 per cent of either its coal or container ports businesses. ...
Oil drops 4 pct after OPEC keeps output steady
PERTH- March 16 - Oil slumped 4 percent to $44 a barrel on Monday as traders questioned whether OPECs decision to enforce better compliance with previous curbs rather than make new production cuts was enough to offset eroding global demand. ...
Westpac 'breached Do Not Call laws'
Westpac has been reprimanded by the communications watchdog for making prohibited telemarketing calls to its customers. ...
RBS to change ABN Amro Australia name
The Royal Bank of Scotland will change the brand of ABN Amro Australia- which it took over in October 2007- to unify its local operations under the RBS brand. ...
Aussie retreats from highs vs yen- US $ bonds flat
SYDNEY- March 16 - The Australian dollar AUD struggled on Monday to hang on to gains struck offshore as investors sold into its recent strength- although firmer stock markets would likely cap its retreat. ...
Aust share market up in early trade
Australian shares are marginally higher this morning- after Wall Streets gains on Friday. ...
Migrant cuts tipped to ease housing strain
A leading economist says the Federal Governments decision to reduce Australias skilled migrant intake should help ease significant housing shortages- especially in Sydney and Melbourne. ...
Arrow drops Pure Energy takeover
Arrow Energy Ltd has dropped out of the race to acquire coal seam gas explorer Pure Energy Ltd after allowing its takeover bid for the target to lapse. ...
Migrant cuts tipped to ease housing strain
A leading economist says the Federal Governments decision to reduce Australias skilled migrant intake should help ease significant housing shortages- especially in Sydney and Melbourne. ...
AIG used $US22b govt funds to pay firms
US insurance giant AIG revealed it passed on $A34.2 billion worth of government bailout funds to other banks and financial firms- a company statement said. ...
World neared monetary meltdown- Bernanke
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said in an interview that the world came -amp quotvery close -amp quot to a financial meltdown last year before governments stepped in. ...
A-Cap Resources Limited ASX-ACB New Metallurgical Results From Mintek Laboratories For Letlhakane Uranium Project
Melbourne- Australia- Mar 16- 2009 - ABN Newswire - A-Cap Resources Limited ASX-ACB recently received metallurgical results from Mintek Laboratories confirming that the two main ore types leach well in columns supporting the recovery numbers used in the SRK Scoping Study. ...
Australian shares struggle to extend gains
SYDNEY- March 16 - Australian shares slipped sideways in early trade on Monday- struggling to extend last weeks 6.3 percent gain despite a strong finish on Wall Street. ...
SkyCity says H2 revenue tracking well
Trans-Tasman casinos and cinemas operator SkyCity Entertainment Group says revenue for the first two months of the second half of its financial year improved. ...
Mortgage pain endangers American dream
A record 5.5 million homeowners in the United States are now at least one month late paying their mortgage- or in the process of losing their home. ...
Bligh puts focus on Gladstone LNG future
The Premier again focused on liquefied natural gas LNG during a visit to Gladstone- in central Queensland- at the weekend. ...
Oil drops over 4 pct after OPEC keeps output steady
PERTH- March 16 - Oil fell more than 4 percent to $44 a barrel on Monday after OPEC agreed to leave existing output targets unchanged but vowed to enforce those curbs more strictly in an effort to put a firm floor under prices. ...
Emirates 'still believes' in superjumbo
Emirates- the biggest customer for Airbus' A380 -amp quotsuperjumbo- -amp quot says it still has confidence in the jetliner. ...
Amid downturn- restaurants thriving on new workforce
There are reports that cafes and restaurants are being flooded with professional people looking for work after losing their jobs because of the financial crisis. ...
Amid downturn- restaurants thriving on new workforce
There are reports that cafes and restaurants are being flooded with professional people looking for work after losing their jobs because of the financial crisis. ...
Industry pins hopes on healthier sugar
The Queensland sugar industry is hoping for a major resurgence with the launch today of a new and healthier form of sugar product known as LoGiCane. ...
Malaysia cuts foreign workers by 70
Malaysia has slashed its work permit approvals for foreign workers by almost 70 per cent so far this year- according to a report on Sunday. ...
Mortgage pain endangers American dream
A record 5.5 million homeowners in the United States are now at least one month late paying their mortgage- or in the process of losing their home. ...
Mortgage pain endangers American dream
A record 5.5 million homeowners in the United States are now at least one month late paying their mortgage- or in the process of losing their home. ...
Australian shares seen extending gains
Broadly higher metal prices could also help the resources-heavy Australian market- with local banks expected to benefit as well from strong gains in offshore financial stocks. ...
Boom gate lowered to protect jobs
In a bid to protect Australian jobs- the number of skilled migrants allowed into Australia is being slashed. ...
RSL- veterans back underpass name
Adelaides South Road underpass will be open to motorists in a fortnight- named in honour of those who fought and died at Gallipoli. ...
Boom gate lowered to protect jobs
In a bid to protect Australian jobs- the number of skilled migrants allowed into Australia is being slashed. ...
Secrecy reforms 'won't faze Swiss banks'
Bankers in Switzerland are confident the government's pledge to ease banking secrecy will not drive clients to pull their capital out- reports said on Sunday. ...
Emirates 'still believes' in superjumbo
Emirates- the biggest customer for Airbus' A380 -amp quotsuperjumbo- -amp quot says it still has confidence in the jetliner. ...
Boom gate lowered to protect jobs
In a bid to protect Australian jobs- the number of skilled migrants allowed into Australia is being slashed. ...
Boom gate lowered to protect jobs
The number of skilled migrants allowed into Australia is being slashed- in a bid to save local jobs. ...
NAB results 'disappointed shareholders'
NAB chief executive Cameron Clyne says the move to cut the bank's dividend for the first time in 18 years is the right decision. ...
Govt to slash skilled migrant intake
The Federal Government is slashing the number of skilled migrants allowed into the country in a bid to save local jobs. ...
OPEC to keep current production levels
OPEC agreed on Sunday to keep current production levels unchanged until May- Iraqi oil minister Hussein al-Shahristani said. ...
NAB results 'disappointed shareholders'
NAB chief executive Cameron Clyne says the move to cut the bank's dividend for the first time in 18 years is the right decision. ...
Medvedev urges Russia rich to return moral debts
MOSCOW AFP - President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday urged Russias largest businesses to return -amp quotmoral debts -amp quot and make sacrifices at a time of economic crisis. ...
Govt hopeful of clearing IR hurdles through Senate
The Federal Government is continuing to negotiate with senators to try to get its industrial relations legislation through the Senate this week. ...
The West Australian appoints new editor
Media executive Brett McCarthy has been appointed editor of The West Australian newspaper. ...
Secrecy reforms dont faze Swiss banks- reports
GENEVA AFP - Bankers in Switzerland are confident the governments pledge to ease banking secrecy will not drive clients to rush and pull their capital out of the country- reports said on Sunday. ...
Coonan slams Ruddbank investment bill
The Federal Government has been criticised over its handling of the bill to set up the $4 billion business investment partnership- or Ruddbank. ...
Coonan slams Ruddbank investment bill
The Federal Government has been criticised over its handling of the bill to set up the $4 billion business investment partnership- or Ruddbank. ...
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