BEIJING- China has become the world's fifth-largest arms exporter, a respected Sweden- based think-tank said on Monday, its highest ranking since the Cold War, with Pakistan the main recipient.
*Tensions with Iran keep supply worries in focus. NEW YORK, March 15- U.S. crude oil futures settled higher on Friday, driven by strong U.S. industrial output data in the world's largest oil consumer and a weaker U.S. dollar.
*Tensions with Iran keep supply worries in focus. LONDON, March 15- Crude oil rose on Friday, as strong U.S. economic data fuelled prospects of increased demand in the world's top oil consumer, while concerns over supply from the Middle East added support.
*Coming Up: U.S. manufacturing survey at 1230 GMT; industrial output at 1315 GMT. LONDON, March 15- Brent crude oil rose on Friday as strong U.S. jobs data fuelled hopes of better demand outlook in the world's top oil consumer, while concerns over supply from the Middle East added support.
*Obama says Iran more than a year away from nuclear weapon. LONDON, March 15- Brent crude oil rose above $109 a barrel on Friday as strong U.S. jobs data fuelled hopes of a better outlook for demand in the world's top oil consumer, while concerns over supply from the Middle East added support.
President Barack Obama visits Israel next week at the onset of spring- the "red line" previously drawn by his host, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to trigger an attack on Iran's nuclear sites.
*Obama says Iran more than a year away from nuclear weapon. SINGAPORE, March 15- Brent futures rose above $109 a barrel on Friday as strong U.S. jobs data fuelled hopes of a better outlook for demand in the world's top oil consumer, while simmering concerns over supply from the Middle East added support.
*Obama says Iran more than a year away from nuclear weapon. SINGAPORE, March 15- Brent futures rose above $109 a barrel on Friday as strong U.S. jobs data fuelled hopes of a better outlook for demand in the world's top oil consumer, while simmering concerns over supply from the Middle East added support.
BEIJING- China unveiled a government restructuring plan on Sunday, cutting cabinet-level entities by two and dissolving its powerful Railways Ministry, as the country's new leaders look to boost efficiency and combat corruption.
UNITED NATIONS- The United States and China have struck a tentative deal on a draft U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution that would punish North Korea for its third nuclear test, which it conducted last month, U.N. diplomats said on Monday.
ROME- Italy's electoral earthquake seems to have condemned the country to the thing it needs least- a short-term government and new elections in as little as six months or a year.
*Potash Corp wants to buy at least majority stake. Feb 26- Potash Corp of Canada wants to buy at least majority control of ICL Israel Chemicals Ltd and sees local opposition to its approach as based on unfounded fears, Potash's chief financial officer said on Tuesday.
*Potash Corp wants to buy at least a majority stake. *Potash Corp to put focus on volume, not price. *Potash Corp shares rise slightly.
BOSTON/ SAN FRANCISCO- Apple Inc was recently attacked by hackers who infected Macintosh computers of some employees, the company said Tuesday in an unprecedented disclosure describing the widest known cyber attacks targeting Apple computers used by corporations.
*Crude oil edges higher on OPEC, EIA outlook. *Copper boosted by bets for China buying after holiday.
*OPEC lifts view on 2013 world oil demand growth. NEW YORK, Feb 12- Oil prices rose on Tuesday after the U.S. Energy Information Administration said world oil demand would increase faster than previously expected in 2013 and OPEC raised its outlook for the amount of crude it will need to pump this year.
*OPEC lifts view on 2013 world oil demand growth. NEW YORK, Feb 12- Oil prices rose on Tuesday after the U.S. Energy Information Administration said world oil demand would grow faster than expected in 2013 and OPEC raised its outlook for the amount of crude it will need to pump this year.
*Crude oil edges higher on OPEC demand data. *Copper boosted by bets for China buying after holiday.
*OPEC lifts 2013 world oil demand growth view. NEW YORK, Feb 12- Oil prices rose on Tuesday as OPEC raised the outlook for the amount of crude it will need to pump this year to keep supply and demand in balance.
LONDON, Feb 12- Oil rose above $118 a barrel on Tuesday as investors regained their appetite for risk and OPEC raised the outlook for the amount of crude it will need to pump this year. Tension in the Middle East remained high over Iran's nuclear programme, and analysts said investor concerns were focussed more on Iran than on North Korea's third nuclear test.