U.S. airlines ratcheted up the pressure on flyers ahead of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend, significantly raising ticket prices to offset the runaway cost of fuel. The three biggest carriers each boosted most domestic fares by up to US$60 roundtrip, while budget airline AirTran Airways raised its leisure fares by $30 roundtrip. In Canada, both Air Canada (TSX:AC.A) and its rival WestJet have also tacked on fuel surcharges to offset the soaring cost of fuel.

Great Western Minerals said Friday that "with the sharp increases in the price of phosphate-based products," it sees a solid rationale to examine the potential of apatite, the principal ore of phosphorous used in fertilizer, as an economic byproduct.

"Today's actions significantly increase the certainty that our merger will close," said Mark Mays, chief executive officer of San Antonio-based Clear Channel.