International

Monday, December 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Socialists call for return to EU founding fathers' spirit

The new French Socialist leader Martine Aubry defended a strong economic stimulus program “to help the weakest” based on the Social-democrat model because “communism died twenty years ago, and neo-liberalism just two months ago”.
Monday, December 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK has no plans to join the Euro, says PM Brown's office

The British government has denied a shift in policy on the Euro after the European Commission's president said the UK was “closer than ever before” to joining.
Sunday, November 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OPEC divided over quota compliance and further cuts

OPEC energy ministers decided on Saturday to leave oil production quotas unchanged after talks in the Egyptian capital following falls in the price of oil. OPEC President Chakib Khelil said any such decision would be made at a meeting in Algeria next month.
Sunday, November 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China warns on loss of competitiveness: weaker Yuan ahead?

China's President Hu Jintao has warned that the global financial crisis could weaken his country's competitiveness. Mr Hu gave his warning at a meeting of the Politburo and his words have been made public by the state media.
Sunday, November 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Tasmania claims the lives of 150 stranded pilot whales

The rugged coast of western Tasmania in Australia claimed the lives of another 150 whales at the weekend when they stranded themselves on craggy rocks near Sandy Cape. The long-finned pilot whales were spotted on Saturday morning and were already badly injured by the time rescue crews and locals reached them.
Saturday, November 29th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Unemployment up and Nov. inflation plunges in Euro zone

Unemployment in the European Union 15 nations that share the Euro shot up to 7.7% in October ? the highest level in two years ? as growth dropped sharply. Inflation on the other hand plunged to 2.1% in November as oil came down from the record prices of last July.
Friday, November 28th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK Treasury becoming main private banker

British taxpayers will take a 57.9% stake in Royal Bank of Scotland after investors snubbed its £15 billion share offer, the bank said on Friday. RBS existing shareholders refused to buy the new stock because the bank's shares were trading below the 65.5p offer price announced in October.
Friday, November 28th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Outrage in UK over arrest, office search of shadow minister

Britain's political system reacted with outrage to the arrest of shadow Immigration minister Damian Green and the search of his home by the police. Liberal Democrats have called the arrest a “mayday warning” for democracy amid cross-party anger over the move.
Friday, November 28th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Spain launches stimulus plan to create 300.000 jobs

Spain has launched an 11 billion Euro plan aimed at boosting the economy and creating 300,000 jobs. The plan, which represents 1.1% of Spain's GDP is part of the European Union's 200 billion Euro stimulus announced on Wednesday.
Thursday, November 27th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
G20 summit in London next April with President Obama

The next summit of the Group of 20 countries on the global economic crisis will be held in London on April 2 next year, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Wednesday. It will also be Barack Obama first visit to London as the new US president.