California grocery unions set strike deadline

(Reuters) - "Unless a deadline is set negotiations could drag on indefinitely," the union said, adding that it would hold member meetings beginning June 24 to either vote on a completed contract or ask for a strike authorization.




A spokeswoman for the three grocery chains was not immediately available for comment.


Read more at Reuters.com Business News

Saudi Benchmark Equity Index Advances, Led by Saudi Basic: Arab Stocks

(Bloomberg) -- Shares in Saudi Arabia rose for a
second consecutive trading session, to their highest in a week,
led by Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

The Tadawul All Share Index rose 48.68 points, or 0.6
percent, to 7411.08 as of 3:40 p.m. in Riyadh, the highest
compared with closing prices since June 3. The benchmark has
dropped 6.7 percent this year, the fifth-worst performing index
among 90 tracked worldwide by Bloomberg.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Copper, gold tumble; wheat climbs

(Reuters) - Copper lost almost 4 percent of its value on Friday, ending at a two-week low in futures trade, as a strong dollar and fears of a slowdown in U.S. economic expansion pressured the base metal.

Gold futures fell nearly 3 percent to a one-month bottom as the firmer dollar weakened the precious metal's standing as an inflation hedge. In spot trading, gold hit three-month lows.


Read more at Reuters Africa