International

Saturday, February 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bali conference: “major setback” for fight against corruption

Transparency International (TI) and a broad civil society anti-corruption coalition have labelled as a major setback the failure of the Bali international corruption conference to agree on how to independently assess country progress in implementing the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
Saturday, February 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Maradona's “hand of God” apology “too little, too late”

England's goalkeeper Peter Shilton has branded Diego Maradona's apology for his sly “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup as “too little, too late”.
Saturday, February 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
At least ten days to repair disrupted global net services

A submarine cable in the Middle East has been snapped, adding to global net problems caused by breaks in two lines under the Mediterranean on Wednesday, reports the BBC.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Alcoa and China up stakes in mining premier league

China has teamed up with US aluminum giant Alcoa to buy a 12% stake in Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto for 14 billion US dollars. The state-owned Aluminum Corp of China (Chinalco) said the purchase was the largest Chinese investment overseas.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Climate tests China's power; concern over food supplies

With forecasts of more snow and ice, chaos in the transport and energy systems that has left millions stranded or without electricity and water, Chinese authorities are desperately trying to convince people the situation is under control.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OPEC leaves output unchanged: market remains well supplied

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, left its oil production ceiling unchanged on Friday ignoring United States demands for an increase. The cartel insisted that the market remained well supplied and seemed to focus on supporting prices which have fallen 10% since the beginning of the year.
Friday, February 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australia/Japan summit to address whaling dispute

Australia's Foreign Affairs minister Stephen Smith warned Friday of tougher action to stop Japan whaling, despite calls for calm from both sides over the increasingly emotive dispute.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Australia preparing to plant bumper wheat crop in 2008

High prices around the world are encouraging farmers to plant more grain and Australia is preparing to plant a bumper wheat crop in 2008 following last year's disastrous drought that drastically slashed yields.
Thursday, January 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK unveils plan to prevent repeat of a Northern Rock run

The British government unveiled plans this week to give authorities the power to swiftly seize control of a failing bank as part of an overhaul of banking laws to prevent a repeat of the run on mortgage lender Northern Rock PLC.
Wednesday, January 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Regulations for EU financial industry round the corner

The leaders of Europe's biggest economies have called on financial institutions to improve transparency in all their activities. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown met his French, German and Italian counterparts at Downing Street to discuss the recent global market turmoil. The leaders also called on the IMF and other bodies to monitor risks better.