MUNICH, Feb 3- The United States is enjoying an energy bonanza thanks to shale gas, making it a magnet for industry, reducing import dependence and challenging Europe as it battles to dig itself out of recession, energy officials say. As Europe continues to debate it, North America is reaping the advantages, "said Jorma Ollila, Chairman of Royal Dutch Shell.
TOKYO, Feb 3- Japan's Finance Minister Taro Aso on Sunday said it was not Tokyo's goal to weaken the yen and its policies were purely aimed at beating deflation, brushing off foreign concerns about currency wars ahead of a G20 meeting in Moscow.
SAO PAULO, Feb 2- Brazil's Defense Ministry said it will recommend the government buy anti-aircraft defense systems from Russia pending advanced talks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev this month.
MOSCOW, Feb 2- Lower output from TNK-BP's mature fields led to an overall decrease in Russia's crude oil production, the world's largest, which edged down 0.1 percent in January, Energy Ministry data showed on Saturday.
HOUSTON/ SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1- Renewed strength in refining and chemicals led to higher-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings for Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, the two largest U.S. oil companies.
*Russia bans imports of U.S. beef and pork. MOSCOW/ LOS ANGELES, Feb 1- Russia has decided to ban imports of U.S. beef and pork due to the feed additive ractopamine, which they may contain, Russia's Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Surveillance Service said in a statement.
*Russia bans imports of U.S. beef and pork. MOSCOW/ LOS ANGELES, Feb 1- Russia has decided to ban imports of U.S. beef and pork due to the feed additive ractopamine, which they may contain, Russia's Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Surveillance Service said in a statement.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1- The world of criminal computer hacking has traditionally been far removed from the cyber-spying efforts of governments, but security experts say several recent cases suggest the lines are starting to blur.
BORJOMI, Georgia, Feb 1- If there's a way to dilute the bitterness in relations between Russia and Georgia after a 2008 war, it may lie in a lush valley south of the Caucasus Mountain border between the feuding former Soviet republics.
JPMorgan's Global Manufacturing PMI, produced with research and supply management organisations, rose to 51.5 in January from December's 50.1, above the 50- mark that divides growth from contraction for the second straight month.
*TNK-BP's $55 bln takeover to be closed in H1. MOSCOW, Feb 1- Rosneft came in slightly below forecasts with a 7 percent rise in 2012 net profit on Friday while free cash flow halved ahead of its $55 billion takeover of TNK-BP, sending shares in Russia's top oil producer lower.
LONDON, Feb 1- Brent crude oil rose above $116 on Friday to reach a four-month high after a suicide bombing attack on the U.S. embassy in Ankara increased the focus on tension across the region. Brent futures for March rose $1.18 to a high of $116.73 a barrel, its highest since mid-September, before easing back to around $116.25 by 1500 GMT.
COPENHAGEN, Feb 1- Danish brewer Carlsberg is returning to Myanmar following the easing of international sanctions which forced it out of the country in the mid-1990s. "There is no doubt that this will go fast," Carlsberg's Chief Executive Jorgen Buhl Rasmussen told Reuters from Myanmar before an inauguration ceremony in Yangon on Friday. "
*Middle East tension stokes supply worries. LONDON, Feb 1- Brent crude oil rose towards $116 on Friday, heading for a sixth consecutive week of gains on rising economic optimism and tension across the Middle East, the world's biggest oil region.
*Baghdad, Kurdistan have built up rival military posts. Talks at the Qara Hansher block between an Exxon executive and a top Kurdistan oil official could provoke Baghdad at a sensitive time for the Arab-led central government and the self-ruled Kurdish enclave in their feud over oil and land rights.
*China official PMI slightly lower than expected. SINGAPORE, Feb 1- Brent crude climbed towards $116 a barrel on Friday, its highest level in more than three months, as escalating tension in the Middle East stoked supply worries. Brent had risen 23 cents to $115.78 a barrel by 0737 GMT, after an earlier high of $115.91 marking its highest since mid-October.
*Don't rush to judgment on Japan- finance sherpa. MOSCOW, Feb 1- Russia's top financial diplomat said the Group of 20 should focus on making new commitments to curb borrowing, and not rush to judge Japan's bid to reflate its economy when policy makers meet this month.
*China official PMI slightly lower than expected. SINGAPORE, Feb 1- Brent crude hovered on Friday above $115 a barrel, its highest level in more than three months, as escalating tension in the Middle East stoked supply worries. Brent had risen 27 cents to $115.82 a barrel by 0552 GMT, after an earlier high of $115.91 marking its highest since mid-October.
BAMAKO/ TIMBUKTU, Mali- Human rights groups said on Friday a French-led offensive against Islamists in Mali had led to civilian deaths in airstrikes and ethnic reprisals by Malian troops, a day before President Francois Hollande was due to visit the country.
LONDON, Feb 1- For all the frenetic activity in 2013 so far and in the face of a seemingly endless flood of newly-minted greenbacks, some of the world's biggest investors are already bracing for a rare U.S. dollar renaissance. To look at the 15 percent rise of the dollar against Japan's yen over in just three months, it's tempting to say the revival is already underway.