Business Times Online - Asia News http://business-times.asiaone.com/asia/0,5517,,00.html? The Business Times Online Edition - Singapore en-us Copyright 2010 Business Times Online. 9 Feb 2010 SGT 9 Feb 2010 SGT 60 Business Times Online http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/static/image/images/topmastheadsmall.gif http://business-times.asiaone.com Australia's north too dry to be a food bowl, says report http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/html/btpre/registration/redirect.jsp?dlink=/sub/news/story/0,4574,371771,00.html? (SYDNEY) The dream of turning Australia's tropical north into a major food bowl to replace drought-stricken southern farmlands and feed a future Asia has been shattered by a new report released yesterday. 09 Feb 2010 04:00 SGT Australia tightens rules for skilled migration http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/html/btpre/registration/redirect.jsp?dlink=/sub/news/story/0,4574,371775,00.html? (CANBERRA) Australia tightened its migration rules yesterday in favour of English speakers and professionals, saying that the country has been attracting too many hairdressers and cooks and too few doctors and engineers. 09 Feb 2010 04:00 SGT BHP names new head for iron ore business http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/html/btpre/registration/redirect.jsp?dlink=/sub/news/story/0,4574,371768,00.html? (SYDNEY) Australia's BHP Billiton yesterday named Chris Campbell as president of the firm's iron ore business, the second major management reshuffle among top miners in the country focused on soaring demand from China. 09 Feb 2010 04:00 SGT AMP to study position on AXA Asia-Pac deal http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/html/btpre/registration/redirect.jsp?dlink=/sub/news/story/0,4574,371767,00.html? (SYDNEY) Australian wealth manager AMP Ltd has let its exclusive deal with French insurer AXA SA expire for a joint US$11 billion buy of AXA Asia Pacific Holdings, paving the way for rival bidder National Australia Bank (NAB) to start talks with the French. 09 Feb 2010 04:00 SGT Guard against unhealthy aspects of algorithmic trade: ASX http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/html/btpre/registration/redirect.jsp?dlink=/sub/news/story/0,4574,371778,00.html? (SYDNEY) Australia's stock-market operator, ASX Ltd, urged the markets watchdog yesterday to guard against some unhealthy aspects of algorithmic trading, voicing doubts on the benefits of such rapid-fire, computer-driven trade. 09 Feb 2010 04:00 SGT