GOLD

Mining strikes are proliferating around the world, hitting global mining companies as well as regional ones.

For the small club of companies who trade the food, fuels and metals that keep the world running, the last decade has been sensational. Driven by the rise of Brazil, China, India and other fast-growing economies, the global commodities boom has turbocharged profits at the world's biggest trading houses.

Vancouver-based Sacre-Coeur Minerals Ltd. said Friday that a new dredging machine and related equipment has boosted gold production by more than 50 percent at its north-central Guyana operations.

Platinum production is falling at a South African mine because of a nearly week-long strike, Royal Bafokeng Platinum Ltd. said Friday.

Mongolia's Supreme Court has ordered the government to enforce a ban on mining in river and forest areas following an appeal submitted by activists who said the country's fragile environment was threatened by reckless mining.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. resumed pay talks on Friday with its Indonesian mine workers union in a bid to end a month-long strike as gunmen killed three people near the giant facility.

Stocks bounced on Friday after France and Germany said a comprehensive euro zone debt deal was on its way, if a little late, although a weaker euro and rising bund futures suggested not everyone was convinced.

Asian shares inched up while the euro clung to overnight gains on Friday, but markets largely stayed within range, as investors awaited a weekend meeting of European leaders for signs of progress in resolving the region's debt crisis.

People across the globe look at death from different perspectives, but few deal with the issue more than the undertaker at the cremation ghats of Varanasi, India.

The Libyan fighter who captured Moammar Gadhafi on Thursday, Mohammed El Bibi, was wearing a New York Yankees cap, according to multiple reports.

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan was late to her court-ordered community service at a morgue on Thursday, further jeopardizing her probation only one day after seeing it revoked for missing past appointments.

Tanzania's mining sector grew only slowly this year due to uncertainty over government policies, a prolonged energy crisis and infrastructure constraints, a senior mining official said on Thursday.

Zambia has suspended the issuance of new mining licences to root out potential corruption and clean up the process, the mines minister in Africa's top copper producer said on Thursday.

Tethyan Copper, a joint venture of London-listed copper miner Antofagasta Plc and Canada's Barrick Gold Corp , has filed a notice of dispute with Pakistan's Baluchistan province over its Reko Diq mine.

Medical examiners in Misrata have determined that Gadhafi's cause of death was two bullets wounds.

Moammar Gadhadi died on Thursday The former king of African kings was found alive by revolutionary fighter Ahmed Al Shebani on Thursday, according to reports. He was hidden in a pipe beneath the city of Sirte.

A revolutionary fighter named Ahmed Al Shebani shot and killed Moammar Gadhafi in Sirte, Libya, Al Arabiya television reported Thursday.

London-listed gold miners Petropavlovsk and African Barrick Gold retained full-year production guidance, after a strong third quarter, further helping to rebuild investor confidence after missing targets last year.

Apple has sold over 4 million units of the new smartphone iPhone 4S through different retailers and carriers since last Friday. Although iPhone 4S looks identical to its predecessor -iPhone 4 - it has significant upgrades in both hardware and software, including an A5 chip, an 8-megapixel camera, Siri Voice assistant and iOS 5, which boast of over 200 new features. iPhone 4S: How Does Apple's Latest Smartphone Compare Against Motorola Droid Bionic and Samsung Galaxy S II

Gold mining giant Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. is increasing the cash portion of a takeover offer for Grayd Resource Corp., another gold miner, which hold assets in Mexico.

While it may seem incredible that Hallmark items are becoming the hottest Star Wars collectibles at many conventions, when IBTimes sat down with Christine Taylor, license creative account manager for Hallmark's License Design Studio, it became clearer that the company's passion for the items it's offering these days -- which have expanded far beyond ornaments -- runs deep.