A BBC News article reports that Volkswagon (ETR:VOW) is backing away from merger talks with Porsche (ETR:PAH3).

Countries with strong commodity and cash reserves are going to be great markets on the far side of this financial crisis.

It wasn’t that long ago that nuclear energy was a pariah, politically and environmentally. But with climate change and and energy crisis headlining our political campaigns and agendas, nuclear energy just might be back on the table…

Copper prices have fallen off a cliff since June, and not even China’s massive stimulus has bucked the trend. But Sara Nunnally says one Chilean mining firm is still planning a major expansion in production over the coming years. This could mean big profits for the company’s three major financial backers (AAUK, XTA, MITSY)… provided they survive the current commodity slump.

Latin American markets were hit hard as the credit crisis spread to emerging markets. But Sara Nunnally says Spanish banks operating in the region are recording strong profits. And they are not heavily exposed to subprime debt. Banco Santander (NYSE:STD) and BBVA Group (NYSE:BBV) are at “rock-bottom” prices right now. Sara says that makes them a strong, long-term investment option.

Surprising news out of Argentina today: Ternium (NYSE:TX), a steel maker with operations in Argentina and Mexico, reported a 15% rise in net income (year on year).

But here’s the thing. That 15% rise is overshadowed by the fact that its net income of $247 million is only half that from the previous quarter. The main reason for this drop? Lower net foreign exchange results.

Sara Nunnally says Middle Eastern states are using their petro-dollar Sovereign Wealth Funds to boost their international profile and reduce dependence on oil. She says “following the money” is a good way for investors to profit from this shift in global economic and financial power.

A fun little bit of news out of the beautiful city of Prague today…

The first Burger King (NYSE:BKC) will open in Prague in the next few months. And it’s not only targeting the Czech Repbulic. It wants to become number one in European markets. To do that, it’s already got operations in Poland, Bulgaria and Hungary, and it planning joints in Slovakia and Slovenia.

But it’s got tough competition from McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD), who is top dog right now with 70 restaurants serving 53 million customers. It’s spent more than $172.2 million on restaurants in the Czech Republic.

When I was in Budapest, I grabbed a Whopper for a quick lunch before meeting my guide back at the hotel, Buro Panzio. It cost me 750 Forint,…

We are seeing major consolidation in international stock exchanges, says Sara Nunnally. As emerging market bourses become more sophisticated, they are being bought up by more established exchanges. Sara says this should allow investors’ money to flow all around the world with greater ease.

From January 2009 Slovakia will be the eurozone’s newest (and 16th) member. The stability the single currency provides the fast-growing country is attracting considerable investment. But Sara Nunnally says trading on the local stock market remains complicated and risky. Instead, she recommends the numerous international tech companies that are flocking to the area…