Mining exports drive Australian growth
Surging mining exports powered the Australian economy to better-than-expected 1.1 percent growth in the first quarter of the year, data showed Wednesday, but Treasurer Joe Hockey said he was also encouraged by a pick-up in other sectors.
05 June 2014
Japan's Dai-ichi Life to buy US firm for $5.7 bn
Dai-ichi Life Insurance said Wednesday it would buy US-based Protective Life for $5.7 billion in a record deal, the latest overseas takeover by a Japanese firm to counter a declining market at home.
04 June 2014
France says proposed US fine on BNP Paribas 'unreasonable'
France's foreign minister on Tuesday labelled as "unreasonable" a $10-billion-dollar fine the US is reportedly seeking from BNP Paribas bank on charges of violating sanctions on Iran, Sudan and Cuba.
03 June 2014
El Salvador joins cut-rate oil grouping
El Salvador on Monday announced it has joined Petrocaribe, the Venezuelan energy subsidy program that gives access to cut-rate oil.
03 June 2014
New Apple software brings Macs and iPhones closer
Apple on Monday unveiled new operating software it hopes will create a seamless experience for users flitting between its coveted mobile devices and popular Macintosh computers.
03 June 2014
Saudi tests Cadbury chocolate for pork traces
Saudi Arabia has withdrawn Cadbury chocolate bars from the market for tests to ensure the products do not contain traces of pig DNA, after the banned substance was detected in Malaysia.
Venezuela to repay $2 bn of debt to local importersVenezuela announced Friday it would repay a small part its debt to local importers, after currency controls have sparked mass shortages of basic goods in the oil-rich country.
31 May 2014
Spain okays Repsol plan for Canary Islands explorationThe Spanish government on Thursday gave oil giant Repsol the green light to explore for oil and gas off the coast of the Canary Islands, a move that environmental groups described as "unjustifiable".
30 May 2014
Starbucks comes under 7-Eleven control in AustraliaThe owners of the 7-Eleven chain in Australia have taken control of coffee giant Starbucks' struggling local operations in a bid to turn around its fortunes, the company said.
29 May 2014
Accor buys 97 hotels in Europe for 900 mn eurosHotel group Accor on Tuesday announced the purchase of 97 hotels in Europe through its HotelInvest business for a total of 900 million euros ($1 billion).
28 May 2014
Kazakhstan’s Oil Minister on crude and gas productionWe expect the gross production of crude and condensed gas to reach 112 million tons a year by 2030; the figure stood at 81.8 million tons last year: Uzakbai Karabalin.
27 May 2014
Where the gold is in Kazakhstan?IdeaLab has calculated the amount of gold reserves and mapped out the gold deposits in Kazakhstan.
Sony to sell PlayStation in China through new venturesSony will bring its PlayStation consoles to China through two joint ventures, its Chinese partner said Monday, as the Japanese gaming giant seeks to tap a newly opened market.
27 May 2014
Mining giants slam Australia's 'high' taxes, costs and currencyThree of the world's biggest miners have warned that government taxes, high costs and a strong currency are putting pressure on their Australian operations, reports said Monday, as they battle falling commodity prices owing to a supply glut.