No image available
/ 12 May 2008

US court allows apartheid lawsuit to proceed

The United States Supreme Court said on Monday that it cannot intervene in an important dispute over the rights of apartheid victims to sue US corporations in US courts because four of the nine justices had to sit out the case over apparent conflicts. The result is that a lawsuit accusing some prominent companies of violating international law will go forward.

No image available
/ 5 May 2008

Nigeria oil rebels considering Obama truce appeal

Rebels who have stepped up attacks on Nigeria’s oil industry in the last month said on Sunday they were considering a ceasefire appeal by United States presidential hopeful Barack Obama. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has launched five attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta since it resumed a campaign of violence in April.

No image available
/ 28 April 2008

Oil sets new record near $120

Oil hit a new record near a barrel on Monday, boosted by a string of bullish factors that include a United Kingdom refinery strike and disruptions to Nigeria’s output that highlight the market’s anxieties over threats to supply. Prices held firm below earlier highs, despite a rally in the US dollar versus the euro and yen.

No image available
/ 24 February 2008

Oil giants poised to move into Basra

Western oil giants are poised to enter southern Iraq to tap the country’s vast reserves, despite the ongoing threat of violence, according to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s business emissary to the country. Basra has been described as ”the lung” of Iraq by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

No image available
/ 13 February 2008

Venezuela halts oil supplies to Exxon Mobil

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez stopped oil exports to Exxon Mobil on Tuesday, escalating a multibillion-dollar fight with the United States company two days after threatening to cut off all supplies to America. The anti-US president’s retaliation for Exxon’s legal offensive pushed oil prices higher in late trading.

No image available
/ 6 February 2008

BHP raises Rio bid; no immediate Chinese riposte

BHP Billiton launched a hostile ,4-billion bid for rival Rio Tinto in a move that could trigger a Chinese-led counterbid in the world’s second biggest corporate takeover. Combined, BHP and Rio would create the world’s third-richest company, with a market capitalisation eclipsed only by Exxon Mobil and General Electric.

No image available
/ 28 November 2007

World’s sunniest spots hint at energy bonanza

Southern California is sunny, the French Riviera is sunny, but Nasa says the middle of the Pacific Ocean and the Sahara Desert in Niger are the sunniest — and the information could be worth money. The space exploration agency has located the world’s sunniest spots by studying maps compiled by United States and European satellites.

No image available
/ 9 November 2007

BHP’s Rio offer may spark $170-billion war

Rio Tinto’s rejection of a -billion all-share offer from BHP Billiton is likely to trigger rival bids from resource companies awash with cash from record commodity and stock prices. A marriage would create the world’s biggest mining force, capable of controlling the global flow of fleet loads of iron ore, copper and coal.

No image available
/ 13 October 2007

US court gives nod to apartheid claims

A United States appellate court on Friday allowed claims brought by victims of apartheid against dozens of major companies to go forward, saying a lower court erred in ruling it did not have jurisdiction over the matter. The plaintiffs include South Africa’s non-profit Khulumani Support Group.