International

Tuesday, November 25th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OECD forecasts unemployment peaks in next two years

The number of unemployed in OECD countries is expected to increase by about 8 million people over the next two years as the most serious recession since the early 1980s takes its toll on economic activity, according to the latest OECD Economic Outlook released on Tuesday.
Monday, November 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
APEC Lima summit pledges open markets and free trade

The 21 economies, which represent almost two thirds of the world's GDP pledged during a two-day summit in Lima, Peru not to erect new protectionist barriers for the next year, and to re-launch stalled World Trade Organization talks.
Monday, November 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Calls for better UN coordination of ozone depletion efforts

United Nations should twin its efforts to combat ozone depletion and climate change to reap the greatest economic and environmental benefits, governments concluded at a recent global gathering.
Monday, November 24th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK pre-budget report: VAT down two points; record borrowing

Britain's Chancellor Alistair Darling has cut VAT but taken borrowing to record levels in moves he says are needed to save the UK from a deep and long-lasting recession. Top earners also face more tax and all National Insurance contributions will rise, he said in his pre-Budget report.
Sunday, November 23rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Apec: Bush defends free trade agreement

George Bush, the outgoing US president, has continued his defence of free market ideology, despite widespread criticism of it being behind the global economic crisis.
Saturday, November 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
The Economist sorts Latam's pragmatists from its populists

Michael Reid is The Economist Americas editor and author of “Forgotten Continent: The Battle for Latin America's Soul” (Yale).
Saturday, November 22nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Russian oil giant Lukoil targets Spain's Respsol-YPF

Spanish savings bank La Caixa may sell its 14% stake in struggling Spanish-Argentine energy firm Repsol to Russian firm Lukoil, it said. The sale is tied to the acquisition by Lukoil of a 20% stake held in Repsol by construction group Sacyr Vallehermoso.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
OECD 3Q GDP declined 0.1%, first time in 7 years

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD area declined by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2008, the first fall in seven years, according to preliminary estimates.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
China announces overhaul of dairy industry safety

China announced a complete overhaul of its dairy industry Thursday to improve safety at every step, from cow breeding to milk sales, admitting its worst food quality scandal in years had revealed “major problems” in quality control.
Friday, November 21st 2008 - 20:00 UTC
RBS shareholders vote on £ 20 billion bail out plan

Shareholders in Royal Bank of Scotland are to vote on a £20 billion bail-out plan which could put nearly 60% of the company in public hands. RBS, one of the worst hit by the banking turmoil, has called a general meeting in Edinburgh to approve the rescue.