BUSINESS

The Asian Development Bank has trimmed its 2012 growth forecast for emerging East Asian economies including China, as the eurozone crisis threatens to further slow an already weakening global economy.

The market turmoil in November, ignoring the stellar final three days of the month, has had an impact on not only the performance of the market, but also on IPOs and other fund raising.

The RBA yesterday cut the cash rate to 4.25% from 4.50%, its second successive rate cut, a move that also has the whiff of being linked to the series of moves last week by major central banks, and this Thursday night's widely expected rate cut from the European Central Bank.

Unbelievable.That is the only word fit to describe the fact that the world's tallest, most luxurious, lavish and downright most expensive single-family home has been left lying empty for what is now more than a year since its completion.

Climate change policy led to the demise of John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull – but not Julia Gillard, yet, as the carbon tax legislation was approved.

An Australian businessman was sentenced Tuesday by a Chinese court to 13 years imprisonment for bribery and embezzlement.

Chinese police said Tuesday that a Coca-Cola yogurt drink that killed a boy last month was deliberately laced with pesticide ingredients and was not contaminated at the soft drink maker's factory.

It will be an abundant harvest season for Australia, thanks much to perfect weather conditions that the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) said should lead to more than 43 million tonnes of yield from most of the country's farming regions.

The cash rate push back decided by the central bank on Tuesday would certainly lift some pressures off consumers' shoulders, possibly fueling more shopping activities but not enough for retailers to celebrate a glorious Christmas season.

By Andrew NelsonChinese consumerism is on the march despite the spectre of rising inflation in the world's most populous country.

By Greg PeelIn the lazy, crazy, hazy days leading up to 2007, money was cheap, property values were rising, and gearing levels never seemed an issue.

Xstrata Copper's shift to underground from open pit mining has extended the life of its Ernest Henry mine for 12 years. It also provides ongoing economic security for the Cloncurry community where the mine is located, said Myles Johnston, the general manager of the mines.

Woodside Petroleum said on Wednesday that there would be no delay on its $30-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Western Australia (WA) despite an adverse court decision.

U.S. stocks furthered what had been lackluster gains Tuesday after the Financial Times reported the European Union was in discussions to double the size of its bailout fund.

US chain store sales rose by 3.2pct in the latest week compared with a year ago according to the Johnson Redbook Retail Sales index.

FNArena has added another video to its Investors Education section on the website. In this latest video, ATW's Jerry Simmons explains why it might be wise for investors to pay close attention to what is happening in EUR/USD.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 53 points or 0.4% while the S&P gained 0.1% to 1258 and the Nasdaq lost 0.

More and more corporate people are now moving from Blackberry to iPhone. This makes iPhone the latest apple of the eye to many techie professionals while BlackBerry steps aside.

Major structural and operational overhauls planned at Sydney Airport stand to deliver much needed cash to Qantas Airways, analysts said, as the airline is set to negotiate for the possible termination of its lease contracts at the terminal premises.

Australians are spending less on gambling compared to previous years. A report by Roy Morgan released on Tuesday said that Aussies spent $18.5 billion on all forms of gambling in the past 12 months to September 2011. It is down from the $20.2 billion they spend for 2002.

While Black Friday may be a great American tradition, Cyber Monday is proving to be one of the best ideas that Wal-Mart has ever had.

Many Australians have a sweet tooth and indulge in consuming lollies, toffees, éclairs and caramels. A study by Roy Morgan Research released on Tuesday found that 39 per cent or 7.2 million Aussies aged 14 and above ate sweets in the last four weeks.

Overnight US market closed higher after a mid-session glitch that saw the index slide over 50points on the news that the Financial Times, out of London, had reported the rating agency Standard's & Poor's was likely to cut 6 key European nations AAA credit ratings. After the initial shock the market turned higher. Dow Jones Index and NASDAQ both ended stronger.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had conceded defeat in the $215-million Metcash purchase of Franklins Supermarkets. After a prolonged legal battle, a Federal Court judge ruled last week in favour of Metcash despite opposition by the competition regulator.

Police in Indonesia are not allowing the head of Research in Motion (RIM) in the country to leave Jakarta for being one of the suspects who triggered a stampede during a bargain sale of BlackBerry smartphones inside a mall.

Information not for public consumption may have been inadvertently leaked when an American court decided Friday last week that Samsung Electronics may start selling its Galaxy product lines in the United States.

Peruvian President Ollanta Humala has placed four northern highland provinces under a state of emergency to stop violent protests against a U.S. mining firm that injured dozens of people and forced an airport to shut down.

Alliance Resources (ASX: AGS) disclosed on Monday that it has settled its legal dispute with venture partner, Heathgate, paving the way for the fifth uranium mine in Australia.

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD is slightly stronger this morning after news filtered out of Europe that plans for a new treaty and fiscal rules in the region has been agreed upon.