International

Monday, November 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Prince Charles: rich countries should pay annual “utility bill”

Britain's Prince Charles has called for rich countries to pay an annual “utility bill” for the benefits given to the world by its rainforests. Speaking in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, the prince called rainforests the “world's greatest public utility”. They act as an air conditioner, store fresh water and provide work, he said.
Monday, November 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
EU in recession: 0.1% growth in 09 and 0.9% in 2010

European Union finance ministers on Monday opened in Brussels two days of talks aimed at coordinating proposals for a new global financial order while prospects for the EU real economy continued to deteriorate.
Monday, November 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
IMF says China remains “robust” but '09 is “difficult year”

China's economy will slow but should remain relatively strong and help to support the rest of Asia, the International Monetary Fund said on Monday, predicting a very difficult year for the global economy in 2009.
Sunday, November 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Archaeologists find evidence of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe

Archaeologists uncovered what they think is evidence of the campsite of a ship-wrecked sailor said to be the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. The archaeologists' findings were published in the journal Post-Medieval Archaeology.
Saturday, November 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
After massive package, Japan lowers rate to 0.3%

The Bank of Japan has cut its main interest rate from 0.5% to 0.3% - its first reduction for seven years. The move followed a global wave of rate cuts to contain the financial crisis. Japan has the lowest interest rates in the developed world.
Saturday, November 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
EU October inflation down anticipates further rate cut

European inflation edged down in October according to data released Friday helping to pave the way for the European Central Bank to deliver another hefty rate cut next week.
Saturday, November 1st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China says melamine scandal extends to food supply

The toxic chemical melamine is probably being routinely added to Chinese animal feed, state media has reported. Correspondents say the unusually frank reports in several news outlets are an admission that contamination could be widespread throughout the food chain.
Friday, October 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Chinese relief: iron ore market turns into buyer's market

Iron ore miners face the prospect of the first price cut in seven years as steel production in China and elsewhere plunges amid the global downturn. The iron ore market has turned from a seller's market to a buyer's market, according to traders
Friday, October 31st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UN calls for continuation of cease fire in east Congo

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued on Friday a call for a continuation to the halt to fighting announced by rebel militia leader Laurent Nkunda, stressing the heavy humanitarian toll of the violence which has engulfed the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Thursday, October 30th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Heavy fine on BT for fixing MoD phone calls

BT has been forced to pay the UK Ministry of Defence £1.3m in compensation after some of its staff met call-answering targets by phoning each other. The Audit Commission found they fixed figures to help the company avoid fines for not answering calls quickly enough.