The debt-laden owners of Partner Communications have told Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa in a letter filed with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange that it must go through with a deal to buy back Israel's second-largest mobile-phone operator. Reuters
Australia's dollar touched its lowest level in six weeks as economic growth slowed more than forecast. The aussie lost 0.4 per cent to US$1.0188 in Sydney. Gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in the second quarter from the previous three months, when it rose 1.4 per cent, official data showed. Bloomberg
A US federal judge has ruled that a Chinese drywall maker must face claims over its allegedly tainted product, which has been blamed for causing foul odours, the failure of appliances and health problems. Homeowners will now be able to pursue claims against Taishan Gypsum in US courts, increasing the pressure for a settlement. Reuters