The communications disruption caused by Tuesday’s earthquake off the coast of Taiwan is likely to last well into the New Year.

ANALYSTS believe Qantas could still yield massive cost-savings for its new owners despite the bid consortium yesterday pledging not to break up the airline.

IN global mining this year, $145 billion worth of mergers and acquisitions - equal to 15 per cent of Australia’s GDP - were transacted in the top 12 deals.

Two strong earthquakes off the coast of Taiwan damaged undersea communications cables, disrupting phone and Internet service in Asia on Wednesday.

NATURAL gas, coal-seam methane and LNG will all star on the Australian resources calendar in the coming year.

MYER’S private equity-backed owners who paid $1.4 billion in March for the chain are overjoyed by their first Christmas present - a bumper turnout at Boxing Day sales.

GOLD bugs are predicting a second straight week of gains for the precious metal, as traders shy away from greenback investments.

RUPERT Murdoch is set to shore up control of his News Corporation media empire through a $14 billion deal to buy out US cable TV pioneer John Malone.

A DOZEN new cases of suspected insider trading involving listed public companies have been referred to Australia’s corporate watchdog for possible criminal charges.

FORD Motor will slip to become the No 3 US car maker next year as rival Toyota Motor powers ahead in the industry’s largest market, according to a sales forecast released today.