Xstrata predicts new commodities boom GENEVA (AFP) - Anglo-Swiss mining group Xstrata on Monday reported a 41 percent drop in its annual profit in 2009 and pinned its hopes on a renewed boom in commodities demand in China and other emerging economies.

Investment expectations on the rise Capital investment expectations for the June quarter have risen to the highest level in seven years, a survey shows.

Euro trades above eight-month low LONDON (AFP) - The European single currency held above an eight-month low on Monday after eurozone finance chiefs reassured their Group of Seven counterparts on Greece's deepening debt troubles, dealers said.

European shares rise as Tokyo hits two-month low LONDON (AFP) - European stocks staged a fragile rebound on Monday after sharp falls last week caused by mounting debt fears in Europe, but Tokyo hit the lowest point in nearly two months as most Asian indices fell.

EU approves Swedish guarantee for loan to Saab BRUSSELS (AFP) - The EU's competition watchdog on Monday approved Swedish plans to act as guarantor for an European Investment Bank (EIB) to automaker Saab.

Xstrata sees renewed commodities boom Xstrata reported a 41 per cent drop in its annual profit in 2009 and pinned its hopes on a renewed boom in commodities demand in China.

Forestry report criticised for bias Forestry Tasmania's chief says there are factual errors in a report commissioned by environmentalists.

Consumers fed up with misleading food labels Consumer groups say the serving sizes listed on food packaging may be giving people the wrong impression about how much they should eat.

Mitsubishi Motors' i-MiEV Awarded with the "Environment Special Grand Prize" at the 25th International Automobile Festival Tokyo, Feb 8, 2010 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced that its new -generation electric vehicle i-MiEV has been awarded with the & quot;Environment Special Grand Prize & quot; during the 25th International Automobile Festivalheld in Paris, France on February 4, 2010.

Sony Develops World's First Millimeter-wave Wireless Intra-Connection Technology for Internal High Speed Data Transfer within Electronics Products Tokyo, Feb 8, 2010 - (JCN Newswire) - Sony Corporation today announced the development of the world's first(1) millimeter-wave wireless intra-connection technology that realizes high speed wireless data transfer inside electronic products such as television sets.

Showa Denko (SDK) Announces Revised Performance Forecast for 2009 Tokyo, Feb 8, 2010 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has revised its earlier forecast of consolidated business results for 2009 announced on December 8, 2009, in view of the recent business trends.

Xstrata stops production at Tahmoor mine Xstrata Coal will stop production at its Tahmoor mine in New South Wales and lock-out the operation & #39;s employees for one week due to ongoing strike action.

Skip romance, jump into debt instead Why not skip the romance this Valentines & #39; Day and jump into bed with your lover for 30 years of debt instead?

Big banks & #39;to retain AA credit rating & #39; The big four banks will retain their double-A ratings following the government & #39;s decision to withdraw the wholesale funding guarantee, Standard & Poor & #39;s says.

Aussie tourism weathers global downturn Australia & #39;s tourism industry has weathered the global financial downturn of 2009 better than expected, according to new data.