Vodafone Group plc

Vodafone Group Plc (LON:VOD) (OTCMKTS:VODPF) together with Dick Smith Holdings Ltd (ASX:DSH), announce a partnership to offer Vodafone postpaid products and services in more than 276 Dick Smith locations across Australia, giving more Australians the opportunity to readily access Vodafone's impressive line up of affordable 4G smartphones and best value data.

Asian Activities Report for August 12, 2011 includes: Newly ASX-listed rare earths company Strategic Elements Limited (ASX:SOR) has expanded its search for rare earths and rare metals to Ireland; Dragon Mining Limited (ASX:DRA) has received the first results from the drilling campaign on the Hangaslampi gold deposit in northern Finland; Canyon Resources Limited (ASX:CAY) has entered into an agreement to purchase the Wilier Project in eastern Burkina Faso; Whinnen Resources Limited (ASX:WWW) has commenced its maiden drilling program at the Nany-Varas gold project in Northern Chile; Piramal Healthcare (BOM:500302) and Vodafone Group (LON:VOD) announced that Piramal has agreed to purchase approximately 5.5% of the issued equity share capital of Vodafone Essar Limited.

The Australian stock market opened higher this morning after Wall Street returned to gains on better-than-expected corporate earnings and encouraging economic data.

Yesterday the Australian shares closed higher led by banks and the resources sector. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 38.7 points, or 1.12 per cent, at 3508.6, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 38.3 points, or 1.12 per cent, at 3445.8. The market is expected to be quiet when investors await the details of the US rescue plan.

Yesterday, the Australian share market closed weaker across the board as the big miners and most of the banks fell. On Thursday the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index slid below the key 5000 mark, losing 80.5 points, or 1.59%, to 4979.5, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 79.6 points, or 1.55%, to 5050.9. Analysts says today investors face a day of turmoil as Wall St slumped overnight on renewed concerns about the economy with reports showing retail sales and employment are weakening.