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Friday, February 28, 2014

Crimea tensions echo Georgia of 2008

Crimea tensions echo Georgia of 2008

Crimea tensions echo Georgia of 2008

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 11:46 AM PST

The tensions in the Black Sea peninsula pose a grave challenge to Ukraine's inexperienced new leadership, already grappling with a tottering economy

Russia in a bind over Yanukovich

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 12:17 PM PST

Although there is an impression that Moscow is still backing Ukraine's ousted president, the Kremlin apparently is less than enamoured of him

Obama seeks poll dividend from wage fight

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 11:11 AM PST

Democrats are betting that a push to raise the minimum wage will trump a Republican focus on healthcare in this year's congressional elections

Berlin hits at EU easing austerity demands

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 12:44 AM PST

German and Finnish position likely to reignite a bitter fight over whether the EU's austerity-led crisis response has exacerbated economic stagnation

US GDP cut to 2.4% as growth slows

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 06:48 AM PST

Revision of fourth-quarter figures from the US commerce department has been mainly driven by a downgrade in consumer spending growth

Norway oil fund in fossil fuel debate

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 02:53 AM PST

World's largest sovereign wealth vehicle is considering a move to sell out of all companies that are associated with oil, gas and coal

Supreme Court arrests Indian tycoon

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 03:55 AM PST

Subrata Roy, businessman, surrenders to police after failing to appear at a Supreme Court hearing that he had been ordered to attend

China falls out of love with cash

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 08:22 PM PST

As consumers begin to favour virtual forms of payment, figures show 4.2bn bank cards in circulation, enough for every mainlander to have three

Putin cranks up pressure on his critics

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 04:41 AM PST

Vladimir Putin cranks up pressure on his critics amid government concerns that Ukraine's crisis could reignite protests in Russia

Cyprus government quits after bill fails

Posted: 28 Feb 2014 06:54 AM PST

Parliament failed to approve privatisation of three state utilities, seen as a condition for the EU and IMF to release a €230m tranche of funding
Posted by Anonymous at 1:12 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Crimea seeks vote on region’s future

Crimea seeks vote on region’s future

Crimea seeks vote on region’s future

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 11:10 AM PST

Yanukovich says he is still Ukraine's rightful president as the country's new PM declares tens of billions of dollars have been looted from state

Uganda currency falls 2% against dollar

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 01:04 PM PST

Bill will allow courts to impose lifetime jail terms for 'aggravated homosexuality' and has been condemned by western governments

Merkel says strong UK voice in EU is vital

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:37 AM PST

Britain has a vital role to play within bloc in helping to roll back red tape and promote free trade, German chancellor tells MPs

Yellen seeks ‘firmer handle’ on data

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:02 AM PST

Fed chief tells senators she needs to decide 'how much of softer data can be explained by weather and what portion, if any, is due to a softer outlook'

Renzi plans face battle with bureaucrats

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 10:32 AM PST

Entrenched vested interests stand in prime minister's way as Italy's economy struggles to emerge from its longest postwar recession

Brazil avoids slipping into recession

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:17 AM PST

The economy expanded 0.7% in the fourth quarter, above all analysts' estimates, but economists caution against reading too much into the results

Thousands demand EU referendum in Iceland

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:10 AM PST

Street demonstrations have been staged in Reykjavik every day this week after the centre-right government abruptly broke off accession talks

North Korea fires missiles off east coast

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 09:07 AM PST

Seoul says weapons appeared to have been deliberately fired into the sea, in an apparent response to S Korean-US military exercises

Rouhani faces test on bloated bureaucracy

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 05:15 AM PST

Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad's policy of hiring thousands of often unqualified workers has left government institutions in debt and inefficient

Turkey’s Erdogan dismisses latest leak

Posted: 27 Feb 2014 08:47 AM PST

The scandal has hit Turkey's economy, with figures released on Thursday showing consumer confidence at its lowest point for four years
Posted by Anonymous at 1:33 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Putin pressed by Russian nationalists

Putin pressed by Russian nationalists

Putin pressed by Russian nationalists

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 11:09 AM PST

The stakes are rising in the crisis and it is becoming more difficult for the Kremlin to handle the threat posed by the revolution unfolding on its southern border

Yatseniuk poised to become prime minister

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 11:51 AM PST

Kiev crowds give a lukewarm reception while the business community is more enthusiastic about young, but experienced, candidate

BoE proposes shake-up of overseas banks

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 10:11 AM PST

Foreign institutions to discuss planned changes that could force some to turn UK retail operations in full subsidiaries or exit the market

Turkish law ‘strikes at judicial independence’

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 10:04 AM PST

Critics say Erdogan government is destroying institutions as it tries to subdue its foes in a furious political battle

UAE focuses on putting Egypt economy on track

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 09:14 AM PST

Having propped up the economy to show its support for the overthrow of the Islamist government, Abu Dhabi is helping shape stimulus measures and reform

Pay body wants 3% rise in minimum wage

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 08:07 AM PST

Low Pay Commission proposes first above-inflation increase since 2008, recommending a 3% rise to bring the minimum wage rate up to £6.50

South Africa cuts growth forecast

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 09:20 AM PST

The finance minister said he expected GDP to expand by 2.7% in 2014, down from an earlier estimate of 3%, while tax revenues provided a boost

Republican tax plan targets private equity

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 08:47 AM PST

Party's leading tax writer proposes treating carried interest as normal income, enraging private equity groups who rely on lower tax rates

Modi support gathers force in India

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 08:30 AM PST

Three times as many voters support opposition BJP than those in favour of Congress when asked their preference for the next government, survey shows

German court ruling boon for Neo-Nazis

Posted: 26 Feb 2014 07:26 AM PST

A rule that parties must obtain 3 per cent of the vote to secure seats is struck down and means the NPD may only need 1 per cent
Posted by Anonymous at 1:37 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Yanukovich ally hurt in Ukraine shooting

Yanukovich ally hurt in Ukraine shooting

Yanukovich ally hurt in Ukraine shooting

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 10:53 AM PST

Injury to Andriy Klyuyev raises concerns about more political bloodletting after Viktor Yanukovich was ousted as president

US hawks urge tougher stance on Ukraine

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 12:11 AM PST

Hardliners on Capitol Hill are pushing for a tougher line from a president they regard as passive player at a grand historical moment

Ibrahim Mehleb appointed Egypt’s PM

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 09:03 AM PST

A member of the deposed regime of Hosni Mubarak is named head of Egypt's new government after Monday's resignation of the cabinet

Erdogan slams ‘treacherous’ recording

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 06:09 AM PST

Prime minister says a secretly taped conversation about hiding money, which has shaken the country's financial markets, is fake

US companies anxious over Chinese laws

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 10:23 AM PST

GlaxoSmithKline scandal and Beijing crackdown spark concerns about complying with local laws and drives more spending on compliance

UK proposal for ‘premium’ visas for wealthy

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 10:40 AM PST

Government immigration advisers propose holding an annual auction to allow wealthy foreigners to bid for 'premium' visas starting at £2.5m

Japan in U-turn over nuclear policy

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 09:14 PM PST

Draft government report talks of role for atomic power in the country's future energy mix despite public hostility after the Fukushima accident

Protests against Maduro split Venezuela

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 08:43 AM PST

Unrest over high inflation and consumer shortages have divided the nation largely by class as it struggles with the legacy of former president Chávez

Pace of gains in US house prices slows

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 09:13 AM PST

The pace of recovery in the US housing market appears to be slowing, as higher prices and rising mortgage rates take a toll on buyers

Rajoy promises tax cuts and more jobs

Posted: 25 Feb 2014 08:40 AM PST

Prime minister raises forecast for Spain's economic growth to 1% this year, although he concedes unemployment rate is still unacceptably high
Posted by Anonymous at 1:05 PM 0 comments

Monday, February 24, 2014

Moscow takes aim at Kiev and the west

Moscow takes aim at Kiev and the west

Moscow takes aim at Kiev and the west

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 11:03 AM PST

Russia indicates that its financial bailout for Ukraine is on hold as Dmitry Medvedev, prime minister, says Ukraine has no legitimate government

Papers reveal Yanukovich crackdown plans

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 10:39 AM PST

Leaked documents show how close Ukraine came to a bloodbath that had the potential to surpass the 100 deaths in Kiev clashes last week

Pope orders overhaul of Vatican finances

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 09:16 AM PST

Vatican move 'will enable more formal involvement of senior and experienced experts in financial administration, planning and reporting'

US farmers attack Europe on trade talks

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 12:10 PM PST

Food safety is emerging as one of the main barriers to a trade deal between the US and Europe, with American farmers attacking EU restrictions

Renzi fails to please allies on senate debut

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 11:33 AM PST

Mr Renzi reiterated an agenda he had already set out for his first months but offered few new details, despite stressing the need for "concrete" results

China activists display power in courtroom

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 05:46 AM PST

Events in a southern Chinese courtroom where a labour activist was facing trial highlight the growing confidence of the country's workers' movement

Iran automobile sector faces slow revival

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 08:44 AM PST

Industry hopes to reverse massive decline but the rolling back of previous policies and compensating the damages of sanctions could take years

Egypt’s interim government resigns

Posted: 24 Feb 2014 08:33 AM PST

Unexpected move by the interim government potentially paves the way for a presidential bid by Field Marshall Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

Greece in stand-off with bailout lenders

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 11:49 PM PST

International monitors say financial system needs at least three times the €6bn of new capital the Athens government claims it needs

Modi hits out at Chinese expansionism

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 11:12 PM PST

The favourite to be the next India PM warns Beijing over territorial expansion, saying 'no power on earth can take away even an inch from India'
Posted by Anonymous at 1:23 PM 0 comments

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Kiev targets economic and political repair

Kiev targets economic and political repair

Kiev targets economic and political repair

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 11:50 AM PST

Political focus in Kiev turns to formation of a government capable of dealing with what acting president calls "catastrophic" economic challenges

Bloody 72 hours ended rule of Yanukovich

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 09:55 AM PST

Shootings and bloodbath in Kiev proved turning point in three-month-old stand-off between strong-arm president and an angry protest movement

Capture of Mexican drug lord shakes cartels

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 07:00 AM PST

Catching El Chapo could accelerate a shift away from moving drugs into the US "to a more local, less sophisticated and more territorial model" for gangs

US pushes for EU regulation transparency

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 04:03 AM PST

US has proposed that EU regulators be required to publish the proposed texts of business regulations and open them to public comment

Online agents cut China luxury bills

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 04:50 AM PST

Mainland Chinese buyers are increasingly using middlemen, and women, to buy luxury items outside the country and then smuggle them back in

Caracas protesters vow ‘another Ukraine’

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 06:31 AM PST

What began as student-led demonstrations against crime in the western city of San Cristóbal have spiralled into general unrest over inflation and shortages

G20 aims to add $2tn to global economy

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 11:09 AM PST

The 20 finance ministers and central bankers at the Sydney meeting agree to focus on reform in a five-year growth plan that marks a shift in emphasis

China closes net around ex-security chief

Posted: 23 Feb 2014 04:24 AM PST

Communist party is believed to have placed Zhou Yongkang under virtual house arrest but it has yet to announce any legal action against him

Thailand vows to ‘deal with’ protesters

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 11:03 PM PST

Supporters of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra promise to get tough with anti-government protesters paralysing parts of the capital, further raising tensions
Posted by Anonymous at 1:25 PM 0 comments

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Renzi installed as Italian PM

Renzi installed as Italian PM

Renzi installed as Italian PM

Posted: 22 Feb 2014 04:47 AM PST

Italy's new government will be dominated by the centre-left Democrats but contains several ministers from smaller centrist and centre-right parties

US ignores China’s warning on Dalai Lama

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 10:26 AM PST

President Barack Obama's meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is part of a delicate US balancing act against an increasingly confident China
Posted by Anonymous at 1:21 PM 0 comments

Friday, February 21, 2014

Ukraine peace deal faces first challenge

Ukraine peace deal faces first challenge

Ukraine peace deal faces first challenge

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 12:32 PM PST

The country's parliament also passed legislation that could free Yulia Tymoshenko, co-leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution and Mr Yanukovich's arch-foe

Russia police detain 200 demonstrators

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 10:25 AM PST

Two hundred people detained for protesting in support of eight activists found guilty of inciting riots and violence against police two years ago

Florence says farewell to divisive Renzi

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:25 AM PST

The 39-year-old leader of centre-left Democratic party leaves behind his home town having divided his fellow Tuscans, with locals either loving or hating him

Basque militants decommission weapons

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:54 AM PST

The Spanish government says it will not be satisfied with anything less than the complete dissolution of Eta after decades of bloody conflict

China warns Obama on Dalai Lama meeting

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:29 PM PST

Beijing says meeting between US president and Tibetan spiritual leader at the White House on Friday would 'severely impair' China-US relations

Europe’s brewers toast beer sales recovery

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 09:03 AM PST

Investment in new products and a cut in duties is stabilising consumption after years of tax hikes drove up prices, hit sales and led to job losses

France to set up state mining venture

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 05:25 AM PST

In a surprise move, Arnaud Montebourg, the industry minister, says the state will invest up to €400m to explore for resources around the world

Jayalalithaa eyes India premiership

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:17 PM PST

Tamil Nadu's chief minister dominates politics in a state where both Congress and the BJP are largely irrelevant as a political force

Somali militants storm presidential palace

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 05:10 AM PST

President unharmed after gunmen broke through the security perimeter of Villa Somalia in Mogadishu during a 'complex attack' on the compound

Oil at the heart of Venezuela’s turmoil

Posted: 21 Feb 2014 07:32 AM PST

Venezuela pays the price for long mismanagement of vast oil reserves and failure to invest in country's future as increasingly violent protests spread
Posted by Anonymous at 1:38 PM 0 comments

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Fears grow over threat of Ukraine military

Fears grow over threat of Ukraine military

Fears grow over threat of Ukraine military

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:54 AM PST

Government prepares to use army to clamp down on protesters but opinion divided on how many would obey orders to use force against their own people

Republican to float sweeping tax overhaul

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:17 AM PST

A top party lawmaker is proposing the biggest overhaul of the tax code since Ronald Reagan in a move that presents Democrats with a clear target

Nigeria suspends central bank governor

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:10 AM PST

Allegations by Lamido Sanusi of fraud in the oil industry have inflamed public opinion and embarrassed the government of President Goodluck Jonathan

Renzi conspiracy theories grip Italy

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:18 AM PST

Many Italians are still asking why the young Democratic party leader unexpectedly engineered the vote that ousted Enrico Letta as prime minister

Czech PM vows to ratify EU fiscal compact

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 10:58 AM PST

The Social Democrat leader has told the FT he expects the process to be completed this year – a move that would leave Britain isolated in opposition

Korea reunions raise hopes of better ties

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 11:47 AM PST

More than 300 members of families divided by the inter-Korean border were reunited, raising hopes of calming relations on the peninsula

IMF warns India of risks as polls loom

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 08:11 AM PST

Gross domestic product growth expected to decline to 4.6 per cent in fiscal year to March – about half level of three years ago – and then rise to 5.4 per cent following year

Emerging nations told to fix own faults

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 08:27 AM PST

Fed's asset purchase tapering may have triggered the emerging market sell-off, but the root cause was "domestic fragility", says UK challcellor

Iran nuclear ‘timetable’ agreed in Vienna

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 09:44 AM PST

Initial negotiations to resolve objections to Iran's nuclear programme ends with agreement on a timetable and framework for future talks

Nafta summit leaders seek to boost trade

Posted: 20 Feb 2014 01:21 AM PST

Three leaders promise to cut red tape, increase 'trusted traveller' programmes, make border crossings more efficient and protect butterfly species
Posted by Anonymous at 1:37 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Ukraine protesters prepare for crackdown

Ukraine protesters prepare for crackdown

Ukraine protesters prepare for crackdown

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 07:28 AM PST

Ukraine's president calls on Kiev protest leaders to dissociate themselves from 'radical forces', saying his advisers are urging 'more brute scenarios'

US budget office in political crossfire

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:44 AM PST

In the hyper-partisan atmosphere in Washington, even the independent fiscal judgments of the Congressional Budget Office are contested

Khamenei calls for Iran economic jihad

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:22 AM PST

The Ayatollah focuses on what he calls the economy of 'resistance' and urges the government to 'increase the costs [of imposing sanctions] for the enemy'

Paris and Berlin push ‘Robin Hood’ tax deal

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:11 AM PST

France and Germany have pledged to reach a deal on a European financial transaction tax by the end of May in a bid to boost efforts to find an accord

FCC plans new rules to speed web traffic

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:28 AM PST

Under the latest proposal, the agency will prevent broadband services from blocking access to websites and discriminating against content providers

Low turnout feared as Libyans go to polls

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:49 AM PST

Many worry the combination of complicated voting rules, squabbling militias and the potential for violence will keep voters away

Shoemakers put foot down over tariffs

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 09:37 AM PST

EU footwear and textiles industry exports to the US are hampered by import tariffs that reach almost 40 per cent on some fashion items

Renzi says Italy coalition nearly ready

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 03:37 AM PST

Leader of democrats says government will be based on the same left-right alliance that supported Enrico Letta, the outgoing prime minister overthrown in a party-engineered coup

Rowdy Commons exposes cultural split

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 10:11 AM PST

Speaker John Bercow seeks to quell shouting, sniping and barracking and urges party leaders to stamp out 'yobbery and public school twittishness'

Singapore widens fight against toxic haze

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 08:02 AM PST

City-state takes aim at palm oil companies operating in Indonesia and proposes a law that would allow Singapore to impose fines on the polluters
Posted by Anonymous at 1:08 PM 0 comments
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