Just wanted to quickly add this article from MSNBC.com. Asian countries are searching for an alternative fuel source to meet growing demand for diesel & gasoline. Will they find a ready supplement in the fuel producing properties of palm oil and jatropha plants? Or will the large scale efforts towards growing these fuel crops put stress on native environments and food production capabilities?
S&P cut Nasdaq's credit rating to junk status citing debt burdens and its questionable strategy to buy a controlling interest in the London Stock Exchange. Financial Times reported that the exchange's counterparty credit & bank loan rating were lowered fromm BBB- (lowest investment grade rating) to BB+. The change will increase Nasdaq's borrowing costs should it wish to pursue aquisition targets. For an earlier look at the exchange consolidation trend that brought about Nasdaq's push for a stake in the LSE, please see "Exchange fever" .