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Merlea Investment News : World Last Updated: Feb 3rd, 2012 - 10:09:43 International Update Updated by Bourse Data Feb 3, 2012, 08:45 Email this article Printer friendly page ATHENS - Unions and employers in Greece are resuming talks as the country scrambles to push through more cost-cutting reforms and conclude massive debt deals that would prevent an imminent default. MILAN - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has faced a furious backlash over his first major gaffe after saying that life-long job security was "boring" even as Italy struggles with high unemployment. WASHINGTON - Ben Bernanke has defended the US Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates at record-low levels for the next three years, during a contentious hearing before federal politicians. NEW YORK - The New York Stock Exchange and German exchange Deutsche Boerse have called off their planned merger, a day after the European Union said it would block the union because of concerns about a monopoly. NEW YORK - MasterCard has recorded a $US495 million ($A464.3 million) charge in its fourth quarter to cover potential losses related to an ongoing lawsuit brought by merchants over the fees they pay on credit card transactions. SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines says its third-quarter net profit tumbled 53 per cent from a year ago due to "persistently high" fuel prices. AMSTERDAM - Royal Dutch Shell Plc's top executives have dismissed weaker than anticipated fourth quarter earnings as a blip and say Europe's biggest oil company will embark on a new program to boost production, with an eye-catching emphasis on US natural gas. TRENTON - Drugmaker Merck & Co has swung to a fourth-quarter profit because of lower acquisition and restructuring charges and slightly higher sales. LONDON - Drug maker AstraZeneca says it will cut another 7300 jobs and has warned of a tough year ahead, due to government spending cuts on healthcare and stiff competition, even as it reported a 24 per cent increase in 2011 profits. NEW YORK - Dow Chemical Co is feeling the impact of the slowing European economy, and seeing some weakness in North America as well. JOHANNESBURG - Australian and Brazilian mining companies have been criticised for being unfair to locals in Mozambique. LONDON - Mining company Xstrata PLC has confirmed it is in merger discussions with commodities trading giant Glencore International PLC. PARIS - French luxury goods giant LVMH says it enjoyed a banner year in 2011 with net profits above three billion euros ($A3.70 billion) despite the uncertain global economy. NEW YORK - US stocks were up slightly after a weekly report showed a drop in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits. LONDON - Markets took a breather on Thursday after solid gains in the previous session, as investors positioned themselves for crucial US jobs data that often set the tone for a week or two after their release. HONG KONG - Asian markets have risen as upbeat manufacturing data from across the globe lifted spirits, while traders were also confident Greece would soon reach a deal with creditors to slash its debt. WELLINGTON - The New Zealand dollar held near a five-month high as rising commodity prices stoked optimism global growth will revive enough to support demand for the nation's agricultural exports. AUCKLAND - Auckland-based furniture manufacturer Criterion has gone into receivership. © Copyright 2004 by Merlea Investments Top of Page

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