Stories for February 24th 2011

Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 07:16 UTC
Nasdaq reacts to spate of deals in the stock markets industry

Nasdaq OMX Group Inc could launch a rival bid for NYSE Euronext to avoid being left on the sidelines, a source said, as traditional exchanges race to merge to see off upstart electronic rivals.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 07:06 UTC
Argentina’s industrial output up 10.3% in January over a year ago

Argentina’s industrial output climbed 10.3% during January compared to the same month in 2010, according to the Indec national statistics bureau. The volume reported was higher than the one expected by analysts, who had announced an 8.1 percent increase of the Industrial Monthly Estimator (EMI) in January.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 07:03 UTC
BHP Billiton expands shale gas business and buys fields in Arkansas

Giant Anglo-Australian miner BHP Billiton has agreed to buy shale gas assets from US firm Chesapeake Energy for 4.75 billion US dollars. The purchase of Chesapeake's stake in a field in Fayetteville, Arkansas represents a move into the rapidly expanding shale gas business for BHP.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 06:55 UTC
Mining companies increase investments in Chile in spite of rising costs

Two major mining companies, Barrick Gold and Collahuasi, both plan to dramatically increase investments in their northern Chile gold and copper operations despite rising inflation and increased production costs.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 06:51 UTC
Iran ambassador and Palestinians in Chile ‘monitored’ with Israel collaboration

Israeli special defence forces – concerned about what they saw as an increased Iranian presence in South America – collaborated with Chile’s government to monitor “unusual activity” within the Iranian and Palestinian communities, a newly released cable from Wikileaks has shown.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 06:45 UTC
Magnetic observatory in South Georgia to track the “South Atlantic Anomaly”

A magnetic observatory is being re-established on South Georgia to provide vital data on the 'South Atlantic Anomaly' as scientists monitor a possible reversal of the earth's magnetic field. This field, generated deep within the planet, shields against particle radiation from space.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 06:28 UTC
Marijuana ingredient helps chemotherapy patients recover taste and appetite

New studies explain that patients who have experienced chemotherapy and have difficulties eating may not notice those difficulties much longer. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, has been shown to drastically increase appetite levels and help individuals enjoy the idea of eating once again.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 03:37 UTC
Using a mobile phone stirs brain metabolism, says US medical report

Using a mobile phone for 50 minutes stirs brain metabolism, although the health consequences are unknown and need to be studied further, U.S. researchers said.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 03:35 UTC
Moody cuts Japan’s credit rating to “negative” citing concern over debt levels

Moody's Investor Services has cut its outlook on Japan's credit rating to “negative” from “stable” citing concerns about debt levels. Moody's currently rates Japan's government debt at an Aa2 level.
Thursday, February 24th 2011 - 03:27 UTC
Argentina insists trade restrictions “in no way represent an obstacle for Mercosur partners”

Argentine Industry Ministry officials assured Wednesday that non-automatic licenses currently being applied to imports “in no way represent an obstacle for our Mercosur partners” and they have been implemented to monitor imports from outside the region.