China foils Western efforts to punish Iran China has dealt a blow to Western efforts to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme by dropping out of a meeting to discuss tougher sanctions against Tehran. 18 Nov 2007
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Oil would soar to $200 if U.S. attacks Iran, warns Chavez Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that oil prices could more than double to $200 per barrel if the United States attacked Iran over a standoff about Tehran's nuclear programme. 18 Nov 2007
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Iran ready for war, says Ahmadinejad President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday Iran was ready to respond if attacked, but played down the prospect of war with the United States. 18 Nov 2007
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ADB head says inflation, markets risks to Asia growth The head of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that inflation from rising oil and commodities prices as well as renewed turmoil in financial markets posed the biggest risks to economic growth in Asia. 18 Nov 2007
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Gold recovers from slump; hovers below $800 Gold regained strength on Friday as bargain hunters and investors resurfaced to take advantage of the metal's 3.5 percent drop the previous day, while a firmer Japanese yen battered Tokyo futures. 17 Nov 2007
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Essar Oil plans $6 billion refinery expansion Essar Oil said on Friday it will spend about $6 billion to expand its refining capacity, and added it had shelved a plan to delist the company's shares from the Indian stock market. 16 Nov 2007
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Gold bounces above $800 after sharp decline Gold bounced back to trade above $800 on Tuesday after hitting a one-week low in Asian trade, as bargain-hunters resurfaced and a weaker dollar helped the metal. 14 Nov 2007
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Indian Govt. not to raise fuel prices for now The government said on Tuesday it would not raise prices of petrol and diesel for now as the government is compensating retailers for selling cheap fuel at a time when global crude prices have soared, and it had to protect the poor. 14 Nov 2007
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Reliance gets second Oman exploration block India's top private firm, Reliance Industries Ltd, on Monday signed a contract for a second exploration block off the Oman coast in the Gulf, a senior company official told Reuters. 13 Nov 2007
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Malaysia, Pakistan sign free-trade pact Malaysia and Pakistan signed a free-trade pact on Monday in a deal that commits Pakistan to cutting import tariffs on Malaysian palm oil. 13 Nov 2007
