PRESS DIGEST - New York Times front page - June 15

(Reuters) - Masked Hamas gunmen took control of the Gaza Strip and the
Fatah president dissolved the 3-month-old unity government.




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Read more at Reuters.com Bonds News

Babcock & Brown to buy Coinmach

(Reuters) - The transaction, which has been recommended by Coinmach's board, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2007. Coinmach's shareholders are yet to vote on the deal.




Coinmach's core business involves leasing laundry rooms from building owners, property management companies, universities and other multi-family housing properties, installing and servicing laundry equipment and collecting revenues from the laundry machines.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Oil Trades Near Nine-Month High on U.S. Refinery Slowdowns; Iran Concerns

(Bloomberg) -- Crude oil traded near a nine-month
high in New York after a drop in U.S. refining raised concern
that fuel supplies may remain below average.

Maintenance at refineries last week cut processing rates to
a six-week low, prompting oil companies to produces less diesel
and heating oil in an effort to boost gasoline stockpiles. Oil
also rose after Iran, the second-largest producer in the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, rejected United
Nations demands to suspend its uranium enrichment.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

China's Soybean Oil Imports Surge 23 Percent; Palm Oil Imports Decline

(Bloomberg) -- China, the world's biggest vegetable
oil consumer, boosted its imports of soybean oil 23 percent in
May from April as lower domestic production and higher costs of
rival palm oil increased demand for the commodity.

Imports were 260,000 metric tons in May, according to
preliminary data issued by the Beijing-based customs office in
an e-mailed statement. Palm oil imports declined 17 percent to
360,000 tons from April, according to Bloomberg data.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

U.K. Salary Increases Slowed in Quarter Through May, Pay Group Survey Says

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. salary increases slowed in the
quarter through May, a sign faster inflation has yet to stoke
higher pay, a survey by Industrial Relations Services showed.

Pay negotiators clinched gains of a median 3 percent, down
from 3.1 percent in the three months through April, the London-
based researcher said in a statement today. The result is based
on salary increases in 192 out of 260 wage deals for almost 1
million workers agreed during the quarter.


Read more at Bloomberg Bonds News

Yen Heads for Weekly Loss Before Bank of Japan's Interest Rate Decision

(Bloomberg) -- The yen was headed for a weekly loss
against the dollar and euro on speculation Bank of Japan
Governor Toshihiko Fukui will signal today he plans to raise
interest rates gradually.

The yen traded near a 4 1/2 year low against the dollar as
the lowest borrowing costs in the industrialized world spur
investors to take out loans in Japan and buy higher-yielding
assets elsewhere. Fukui will speak today after policy makers
conclude a two-day meeting. All 43 economists surveyed by
Bloomberg forecast they will keep the benchmark rate at 0.5
percent.


Read more at Bloomberg Currencies News

ABN Amro Plans to Raise $500 Million in Asia for Commodity Investment Fund

(Bloomberg) -- ABN Amro Holding NV, which markets
investor Jim Rogers' commodities indexes, expects this year to
win $500 million of investments in commodities products in Asia
driven by demand from insurance companies and money managers.

The products will offer a ``hedge-fund type strategy'' so
investors can benefit from declines as well as gains in
commodities, Matthew Wong, head of private investor products in
Asia for ABM Amro, the biggest Dutch bank, said in Shanghai
yesterday. The investments are raised in Asia outside of Japan.


Read more at Bloomberg Emerging Markets News