International
InternationalInternational tourism slowing, but still growing says UN
International tourism has started slowing rapidly since the middle of the year, reflecting consumer concern worldwide and rising inflation in many countries, the United Nations reports in its latest measure of the health of the global travel industry.
Ban Ki-moon calls for greater action to rid world of land mines
More efforts are needed to eliminate landmines and other explosive devices, despite the great strides made in ridding the world of the deadly weapons, said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN “resilience committee” to boost tourism industry
Tourism ministers from around the world have agreed to set up a new United Nations-backed committee to consider how to respond both to the downturn in international travel as a result of the global financial crisis and the impact of climate change.
UK “very likely” in recession; 11–year high unemployment
Unemployment in the United Kingdom hit an 11-year high as the Bank of England signalled that interest rates could plunge to record lows to lift the economy out of recession which is “very likely” already in recession.
Santander bank announces 7.2 billion Euro rights issue
Spain's banking giant Santander - which owns UK's Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley's savings business - has announced a 7.2 billion Euro rights issue to raise new capital and shore up its capital ratio.
Mafia, Italy's largest and most profitable “corporation”
The largest business in Italy today is organized crime, Mafia, with an annual turnover of some 130 billion euros (about 165.71 billion US dollars) and a net profit of close to 70 billion euros, after investments and expenses, according to the Italian national retail services association Confesercenti on Tuesday.
Oil below 60 US dollars; OPEC ponders further cuts
While the price of crude oil for future delivery declined below 60 US dollars a barrel, OPEC sources on Tuesday said that the cartel will again consider cutting production when it meets next month in Algiers.
Cooling of China's imports concerns trade partners
China's trade surplus rose to 35.2 billion US dollars in October, hitting a record for a third month in a row, data shows. The surplus rose 20% from September's 29.36 billion high, according to data from the Customs Department in Beijing.
UN 20 peacekeeping missions and 110.000 personnel overwhelmed
The bitter reality of conflicts in many countries dwarfs the ability of United Nations peacekeeping efforts to halt warring factions and maintain security despite their best intentions, said General Assembly President Miguel D'Escoto.
Further hints of tax cuts in UK to fight recession
Tax cuts could be used to push the United Kingdom out of recession, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said, amid mounting speculation they will be included in the upcoming Pre-Budget Report.
