International

• Friday, May 28th 2010 - 04:35 UTC

  Spain’s austerity package narrowly approved by one vote

  

  There has been temporary relief for Spain’s governing Socialists as parliament narrowly approved the 15 billion Euro austerity package: the motion was passed by only one vote, 169 to 168.

• Friday, May 28th 2010 - 04:31 UTC

  Ancestors of modern squid identified by Canadian researchers

  

  The ancestors of modern squid may have existed half a billion years ago - a lot earlier than previously thought. In a new study, Canadian researchers identified a previously unclassifiable fossil that was long believed to belong perhaps to the shrimp family.

• Thursday, May 27th 2010 - 09:09 UTC

  Germany preparing for “orderly state insolvency” in support of the Euro

  

  Germany's push for an orderly insolvency process for indebted Euro zone states suggests Berlin is assuming the worst: that one of its peers -- most likely Greece -- will default on its debt repayments.

• Thursday, May 27th 2010 - 08:29 UTC

  Cuban consul in Norway accused of “biting” demonstrator’s hand

  

  An allegedly peaceful rally for a democratic Cuba outside the Cuban Embassy in Norway’s capital Oslo turned bloody at the weekend, and could turn into a diplomatic incident.

• Thursday, May 27th 2010 - 08:16 UTC

  China’s concern over its Euro holdings tumbles the currency

  

  United States markets have put an end to what had been a day of stock market revivals around the world. After a day that had been mostly positive, New York's benchmark Dow Jones closed down 0.69% at 9974.45 - a four month low.

• Wednesday, May 26th 2010 - 05:56 UTC

  Financial regulation should be coordinated internationally, says IMF

  

  The world avoided a great economic depression and will recover thanks to close cooperation from the international community, said IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

• Wednesday, May 26th 2010 - 04:09 UTC

  Italy joins the Euro-support club; announces budget cuts of 24 billion Euros

  

  Italy joined Tuesday the group of European countries that have decided to trim government spending in an effort to convince investors that Euro nations are capable of fiscal balance and defending the single currency.

• Wednesday, May 26th 2010 - 04:06 UTC

  After two days of “candid” discussions US and China admit differences

  

  Two days of wide-ranging economic and political talks between the United States and China wrapped up in Beijing with no major agreements announced but both sides said they had candid discussions and reaffirmed their commitment to building a strong and enduring relationship.

• Wednesday, May 26th 2010 - 04:01 UTC

  European Central Bank drains 26.5 billion Euros from money markets

  

  The European Central Bank drained 26.5 billion Euros in one-week funds from Euro-zone money markets on Tuesday, in line with its aim. The operation aims to offset purchases of government bonds by Euro zone central banks.

• Tuesday, May 25th 2010 - 06:09 UTC

  Korea, China and Japan agree on closer investment and trade partnership

  

  Top trade officials from Korea, China and Japan agreed Sunday to forge a three-way investment treaty this year as part of efforts to spur economic partnership among the three nations, announced the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.