POLITICS & POLICY

Japan, Vietnam Launch Rare Earths Technology Facility

More and more non-Chinese rare earths related projects are starting to get off the ground, proof that the world is determined to reduce its dependence on a China for rare earths, as Japan and Vietnam launched over the weekend its very first rare earth research and technology transfer facility.
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Galaxy Poll Says Labor’s PM Gillard a ‘Spectacular Failure’

The country's first female Prime Minister may have attracted the adulation of the international community for her tax programs that aim to reduce the world's collective carbon emission and to filter down the benefits of Australia's ongoing resource boom but her countrymen do not share the same sentiments, the new Galaxy poll said.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 06/18/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The AUD has continued its firm tone from Friday's trading, as it appears a new coalition government will be formed in Greece between the New Democracy Party and PASOK, giving them control of 161 seats in the 301 seat parliament.

Australia Market Leads - 06/18/2012

Risk currencies have gapped higher this morning as projections showed Greece's two largest pro-bailout parties winning enough seats to forge a parliamentary majority. Anti-bailout party Syriza received 26.6% and 71 seats. The euro raced to a high of 1.2747 against the greenback, while the Aussie dollar advanced to 1.01327 against the USD. With the euro taking the election results positively ahead, Asian markets are in for a firm open. As well as listening for political commentary in Greece, i...

Global Markets Overview - 06/18/2012

Energy stocks led the U.S. market rally as rising optimism that the world's central bankers are primed to stabilize financial markets boosted stocks for a second day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 115.26 points, or 0.9%, to 12767.17 to close near Friday's session highs.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 6/15/2012

The Australian sharemarket managed to improve for the second time this shortened trading week. It certainly was quiet over the past four days, partly due to the Greek Presidential elections which will take place this Sunday. Markets were closed on Monday due to the Queen's birthday. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) rose 0.4 pct or 17.2 pts to 4107.

Gov't Vows No Cover-Up on Alleged Abuses in ADF

The government does not intend to hide from the public eye wrongdoings, past and present, committed by officers of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as alleged in the review conducted by law firm DLA Piper.

PM Gillard: Nothing Wrong with Scrutiny of the Enemy

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Friday it was normal in the world of politics for opposing sides to keep tab on what the other was doing, providing a thinly-veiled defence on the alleged 'dirt files' that one of her senior staff has collected.

India Eyeing Coal Mines in Colombia For $1B

The Aditya Birla Group, an Indian telecom-to-cement conglomerate, wants to foray into the U.S. coal industry, currently negotiating with thermal coal miner Drummond Company for a significant number of stakes in Colombian-owned mines for a total of $1 billion.

Lynas Moving In On Duncan Rare Earths Deposit

With its Malaysian plant still yet to process rare earths ore from its Mount Weld project, Lynas Corp. is now eyeing on the adjacent Duncan deposit and it most likely to develop it within the next four years.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 06/15/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: Markets have ended higher, in what was a volatile week, as the G20 gives risk a boost ahead of Greek elections this weekend.

Global Markets Overview - 06/15/2012

U.S. stocks rallied as signs of a worsening U.S. labor market and European debt picture bolstered investors' hopes that central bankers will again come to the rescue. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 155.53 points, or 1.2%, to 12651.91.

Australian Stock Market Report – Afternoon 6/14/2012

The Australian sharemarket ended in the red for the second day running, with the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) slipping by 0.5 pct or 21.7 pts to 4089.8. No sectors were spared from the selling today, with even the defensive telcos dipping into the red by close of business. TLS shares eased 0.28 pct or 1 cent to $3.60, however has gained by around 8 pct since the start of this year.

Australia Unfurls Ambitious Sea Reserves Plan

Australia is all set to upgrade its existing network of marine reserves that would lead to the creation of sprawling parks covering the nation's coastal areas and providing protection to a host of endangered sea creatures.

Kazakhstan To Load More Gold To Its Reserves

The central bank of Kazakhstan announced it will further build up its official gold holdings by as much as 20 per cent in 2012 from the previous year'a 15 per cent, as well as reduce its holdings of the euro currency to 25 per cent from the previous 30 per cent.

PM Gillard Insists She Favours Tourism, Australian Industries

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Thursday that her government was all about protecting Australian industries and the workers benefitting from them as she shot down suggestions that federal authorities neglected specific sectors to save preferred ones.

Lynas Likely To Give Up Rare Earths Project in Africa

With its highly-controversial Malaysian rare earths processing plant an already ample source of headache, Lynas Corp. has been reported to be likely backing out from another rare earths project, this time in Africa.

Australia Limits Fishing, Oil, Gas Exploration in Oceans and Seas

The creation of 44 marine parks across Australia will make about one-third of Australian waters off-limits to fishing, oil and gas exploration. The new marine parks, which include the Coral Sea and the southwest coast of Western Australia, are part of the new marine reserves announced by Environment Minister Tony Burke on Thursday.

Australian Dollar Outlook - 06/14/2012

Bell FX Currency Outlook: The Australian dollar opens at USD0.9950 this morning having re-tested parity overnight. The AUD found support on reports that the German Central Bank was considering purchasing Australian dollar assets.

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