UK's recession will last between one and a half and two years, a leading economist has warned. That is the estimate of Nouriel Roubini, professor of economics at New York University, and one of the few people to predict the credit crunch.
Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana declared that the British Overseas Territory's quality of life and socio-economic and political opportunities are enhanced when relations with Spain are the most constructive possible.
China's economic growth slowed to 9% last year, its lowest rate of growth for seven years (6.8% in the last quarter). The world's third-largest economy was hit hard by the global financial crisis that led to a fall in orders for Chinese exports.
United States carmaker General Motors sold fewer vehicles than Toyota last year, ending GM's 77-year reign as the world's top-selling car firm. GM said it sold 8,350,000 vehicles in 2008, while Toyota said sales totalled 8,972,000 vehicles.
Water supplies for over a billion people around the world are under threat from increasing populations, expanding cities, industrialization, climate change and even the rising demand for food, warned the United Nations, as delegates from more than 60 countries kicked off a meeting today in preparation for the upcoming World Water Forum.
Russian ex-KGB agent turned businessman Alexander Lebedev announced Wednesday the purchase of the London Evening Standard newspaper for the sum of £1.
The International Monetary Fund will sharply cut growth forecasts this month and the world will not return to strong growth for two or three years, IMF Managing-Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said on Wednesday.
The troubled US insurer AIG will not be renewing its shirt sponsorship deal with Manchester United that expires in May 2010.
The continent of Antarctica is warming up in step with the rest of the world, according to a new analysis. Scientists say data from satellites and weather stations indicate a warming of about 0.6C over the last 50 years.
Unemployment in Britain has increased by 131,000 to 1.92 million between September and November, the country's office for national statistics (ONS) has said. Public finances also deteriorated sharply in December, putting them on track for their worst year since records began after the Second World War, the ONS said.