International

Sunday, December 9th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
South Korea declares state of disaster in oil-spill coastline

The South Korean government has declared a “state of disaster” along a stretch of coastline affected by the country's worst ever oil spill. A fleet of 100 ships are fighting to contain the (66.000 barrels) 10-000 ton spill, but emergency workers have been unable to prevent the oil washing ashore.
Saturday, December 8th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fears of US slowdown seem to be affecting Japanese economy

Japan revealed Friday that its economy grew by much less than previously thought in the third quarter of 2007 amid a housing slump and slower investment by firms in new factories and equipment.
Friday, December 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Euro-zone rates unchanged in spite of inflation pressure

The European Central Bank left on Thursday interest rates unchanged at 4%, in line with analysts' expectations and in spite of strong short term upward pressure on inflation.
Friday, December 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Lesson One: how do you say Panama Canal in Chinese?

Panama is moving to make the teaching of Mandarin compulsory in all schools, in recognition of China's growing importance in the world economy. The Panamanian National Assembly has given conditional approval to the bill in the first of three debates.
Friday, December 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
China's booming economy running out of spare capacity

China should let its currency rise faster to help it counter overheating in its booming economy, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development suggested in a report this week.
Friday, December 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US Congress discusses rise in vehicle fuel efficiency

An energy bill that would require the first rise in vehicle fuel efficiency in more than 30 years was passed this week by the United States House of Representatives.
Friday, December 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Australia plans radical changes to fisheries management

Fishermen would make even more money than previously thought if they let depleted stocks rebuild, according to research from Australia and the United States. When fish are more plentiful it becomes easier and cheaper to catch them.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Inflation's political and social impact rattles Beijing

China said Wednesday it would tighten monetary policy in 2008 for the first time in a decade, as it battles to rein in a soaring stock market and an overheated economy. The shift from “prudent” to “tight” is a move analysts consider “significant”, but no major details to support the announcement were delivered.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Steve Irwin becomes battle name against Japanese whaling

A conservation group that has vowed to disrupt Japan's annual whale hunt launched its Antarctic campaign Wednesday by renaming one of its ships after “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, the late environmental campaigner.
Thursday, December 6th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of England cuts rate to 5.5% on slow growth concern

The Bank of England announced Thursday a 25 points cut in the key interest rate from 5.75 to 5.5% following on fears of a slowing UK economy. The decision came as the BoE tried to strike a balance between rising inflation and further evidence that the housing boom is slowing and consumer confidence deteriorating.