Reuters first with failed assassination attempt on Guinea's president

Reuters broke news on July 19 of a failed assassination attempt on the president of the West African country of Guinea, the world’s biggest exporter of the ore used to make aluminium and a destination for billion dollar investments by global mining giants. The news from the Reuters reporter, on the ground in Conakry, was quickly picked up by international media as well as competitors. Worsening instability in Guinea could damage prospects for international investors with major projects to mine iron ore and bauxite, from which aluminium is made. Aluminium prices edged slightly higher on the London Metal Exchange. The assassination attempt was also a worrying sign for the unstable West African region little more than six months after President Alpha Conde took office in the first free election since independence from France in 1958.