POLITICS & POLICY

Babies Using Shampoo Brand with Toxic Substances Face Cancer Risks

Environmental and health groups are campaigning aggressively for a boycott of Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo and other company products after it confirmed that the baby shampoo with toxic chemicals are still being sold in countries like the U.S., Australia Canada, China and Indonesia.

China Power, China Coal Enter $784 million Joint Venture

In a bid to address China's electric power shortages, China Power International Development Ltd. and China Coal Energy Co. Ltd. have announced a $784 million joint venture to build and operate coal-fired plants in the northern province of Shanxi.
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Australia, Top 6 in Foreign Bribery Index

Australia has been listed as the sixth among 28 big economies that bribes public officials on overseas business meets, according to a survey by the Transparency International titled 2011 Bribe Payers Index (BPI).

18,000 Aussies Sign Online Petition Against Shark Slay

An online petition sponsored by SupportOurSharks.com is currently gathering signatures to protest the decision of Western Australian government to allow the hunting of a shark that killed its the third victim in the state. As of Nov. 2, the petition has gathered close to 18,000 signatures.

Global Market Overview - 11/03/2011

U.S. stocks bounced back after a sharp two-day selloff, as investors took hope in the Federal Reserve's pledge to support the economy and looked ahead to a meeting of world leaders in Cannes. In a reflection of recent volatility, the blue-chip Dow gained 219 points in morning trading before slashing those gains in half by the afternoon.

Australian Stock Market Report - Morning 11/03/2011

The ADP Employment Survey showed that the US private sector added 110,000 jobs in October. The result was ahead of forecasts and all the job gains came from small and medium sized businesses. In addition September job gains were revised higher from 91,000 to 116,000.

The Euro Zone Crisis: A Grave Concern for World Leaders

A week after member-nations of the European Union opted to support an extended fund to bail out problematic Euro zone economies, pressing developments are taking place that have been the cause of concern for countries all over the globe.

Australian Stock Market Report - Midday 11/02/2011

The local share market is being heavily sold off at lunchtime in the East, after US and European share markets tumbled overnight on fears the European bailout package could be jeopardised. Greece's Prime Minister unexpectedly called for a public referendum on the package, causing investors around the globe to sell out of equities on fears the Greek public won't accept it. The All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 63.5pts or 1.5pct to 4233.7.

Occupy Brisbane: Police Move Out Protesters

'Occupy Brisbane' protesters have moved from Post Office Square to the city's Queen's Park Tuesday morning. Some of the 'Occupy' protesters, who have been gathering up for 18 days now, refused to move but police forcibly removed them until they were out of the premises. However, no arrests were made.

Greek Referendum may lead to More Instability, Recession

The announcement by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou that he is pushing through with a referendum on the EU rescue agreement has not only jolted financial markets but gave rise to more apprehensions of a pending economic destabilization and even recession.

FBI Probes into MF Global Bankruptcy

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will check if millions of client accounts are missing after American brokerage firm MF Global filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday over its $6.5 billion eurozone debt exposure.

Coal Seam Gas Plant to Rise in South Australia

Australian coal seam gas producer QGC has entered into an agreement with GE and Penrice Consortium to build a brine pilot plant (BPP) at Penrice's chemical works at Osborne, South Australia.

Global Market Overview - 11/02/2011

Global markets extended their losses overnight on renewed concerns over the European crisis. News that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced a referendum to approve a second EU bailout deal for the country rattled investors. Should the referendum be defeated, all the work put in by European leaders to save the region would have been undone. It could lead to a disorderly default in Greece and bank failures across Europe.

Australian Stock Market Report - Morning 11/02/2011

US ICSC chain store sales rose 0.7pct last week to be up 3pct on a year ago. ICSC research expects sales to rise 4.5pct in October. US construction spending rose 0.2pct in September to be down 1.3pct on a year ago. US ISM-Manufacturing activity eased from 51.6 to 50.8 in October. However in a positive sign the key sub-index of new orders rose above the 50 level for the first time in four months, while the price paid index fell to the lowest level since April 2009.

China's Steelmakers, Iron Ore Miners Ponder New Pricing Mechanism

In what seems to be a confirmation to earlier reports that China has been offered to purchase iron ore for fourth-quarter contracts at a much cheaper rate, a top official from China's steel had verified that Chinese steel companies are discussing to set-up a new pricing mechanism with the world's big miners, a move seen to benefit both iron ore suppliers and consumers.

China PMI Down in October, its Lowest since 2009

Growth in China's manufacturing sector had dropped in October, suggesting the economy of the world's second-largest market player continued its gradual slowdown in response to government measures to cool growth and temper high inflation.

Australian PMI: Pace of Manufacturing Decline Eases in October

The latest seasonally adjusted Australian Industry Group - PwC Australian Performance of Manufacturing Index (Australian PMI®) contracted in October, albeit at a slower rate than recent months, rising 5.1 points to 47.4. The decline was particularly pronounced across the clothing and footwear sub-sector and sub-sectors linked to the construction industry.

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