Cash-starved N. Korea secretly sells gold: report
North Korea has been secretly selling gold to make up for shortages of hard currency after it spent millions of dollars on celebrating the 100th birthday of its founder.
25 September 2012
Lebanon ready to drill for offshore gas: minister
Lebanon is technically ready to start drilling for offshore natural gas reserves, its energy minister said on Monday, after exploration in around half the country's exclusive economic zone was completed.
25 September 2012
Israel okays development of Gaza offshore gas field
Israel has held new talks with the Palestinians over the development of a gas field off the coast of the Gaza Strip, the Israeli foreign ministry said in a new report released on Sunday.
Popigai: Russia's vast, untouched diamond crater
In the far north of Siberia, Russian scientists have stepped up research on a once-secret deposit of diamonds whose scale dwarfs anything ever discovered and could turn world markets "upside down".
19 September 2012
Iraq oil growth slowing would be 'bad news': IEA economist
The International Energy Agency's top economist warned in an interview with AFP that any unexpected slowdown in the growth of Iraq's energy output would be "bad news" for the rest of the world.
Canada to stop opposing asbestos hazard listing
Canada dropped Friday its longtime opposition to global restrictions on asbestos, dealing a blow to the country's dying mining industry of the fire-resistant substance.
15 September 2012
Oil prices hit four-month peaks on Fed stimulus
Global oil prices soared Thursday to new four-month highs, as the US Federal Reserve announced a new round of quantitative easing to stimulate the flagging economy.
14 September 2012
Asian Apple-linked shares mixed after iPhone 5 launch
Stocks in Apple's Asian component suppliers were mixed Thursday after the launch of the iPhone 5, with analysts citing uncertainty over its impact in the hugely competitive smartphone market.
13 September 2012
Australia slams 'sick joke' cigarette packs
Australia slammed as a "sick joke" Wednesday new cigarette packs on sale as part of the national phase-in to plain packaging which play on drab branding and claim it's "what's on the inside that counts."
EU businesses urge China's new leaders to speed reforms
China's upcoming political changes represent a breakthrough chance to boost its economy by accelerating reforms and fostering innovation, a European business group said Thursday.