Business
UK: Liberal Democrats announce £1.1bn mansion tax plan
The Liberal Democrats today pledged a tax raid on wealthy homeowners. In a bid to tempt traditional Labour voters, Vince Cable said he would introduce a new levy on houses worth more than £1 million while telling four million low-paid workers they...
Merkel sees no deal on "Tobin tax" at G20
German Chancellor Angela Merkel does not expect a Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh this week to agree a so-called "Tobin tax" on global financial transactions, she said on Monday.
ARIS — A French court on Friday ordered online auction site eBay to pay 80,000 euros (118,000 dollars) to Louis Vuitton for selling fake luxury perfumes, LVMH said.
US House Passes Sweeping Student Loan Market Overhaul
The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday that would effectively end private-lender involvement in the student loan market, establishing the federal government as the sole provider of college loans.
Japan's new PM to tackle record jobless rate
TOKYO — Japan's new prime minister on his first day in office on Thursday met labour chiefs to tackle a key challenge for his centre-left government -- bringing down the country's highest jobless rate on record.
Venezuela, China sign $16 billion oil deal
NAIGUATA, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced a 16-billion-dollar deal with China to drill for oil in the resource-rich Orinoco basin.
U.K. Opposition Says Brown Misled Lawmakers on Spending
LONDON -- Leaders of the U.K. opposition Conservative party accused Prime Minister Gordon Brown Wednesday of misleading lawmakers about spending plans, saying they have treasury documents showing the department plans spending cuts of nearly 10%.
Coty Inc. and International Superstar Beyonce Ink Fragrance Partnership
Coty Inc., a leader in the global beauty industry, today announced the signing of international icon and multifaceted artist Beyonce. Working hand-in-hand, the fragrance giant and gifted entertainer will develop and market an exclusive Beyonce fra...
France Télécom told to explain 23 staff suicides
The French Government has summoned the boss of France Télécom to demand urgent action to reduce workplace stress after the suicides of 23 employees in the past 18 months.
Venezuela inks $2.2 bln weapons deal with Russia
CARACAS — Venezuela says it has obtained 2.2-billion-dollars in credit from Russia to purchase nearly 100 T72 tanks and a series of anti-aircraft rocket systems from its strategic ally.
Gordon Brown sees Britain "on road to recovery"
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is expected to tell union members next week that the country's economy was on the "road towards recovery," according to extracts of his speech released on Sunday.
Warming may cut risky states' GDP by a fifth-study
Climate change could cut gross domestic product in countries at a high risk from weather catastrophes by up to a fifth by 2030 unless urgent steps are taken, a report said on Monday.
Lilly cutting 5,500 jobs before Zyprexa lapse
Eli Lilly and Co said on Monday it plans to cut 5,500 jobs, or 13.5 percent of its workforce, in a restructuring meant to bolster the company as it girds for generic competition by late 2011 on its top-selling Zyprexa schizophenia drug.
China files WTO complaint on US tire tariffs
BEIJING — Beijing filed a World Trade Organization complaint Monday over new U.S. tariffs on Chinese tires, stepping up pressure on Washington in the latest in a series of trade disputes.
Nobel Laurate Says US Bank Problems Bigger Than Pre-Lehman
Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, said the U.S. has failed to fix the underlying problems of its banking system after the credit crunch and the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.
NEC to take over Casio, Hitachi mobile phone operations
Japan's NEC Corp will take over the cellphone operations at Casio Computer Co and Hitachi Ltd as the struggling sector bands together to cut costs and survive a fast-shrinking market.
More than 60 Countries Form New Global Alliance to Increase Access to Financial Services
Nearly 100 central bankers and other financial policymakers gathered here today for the official launch of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), a coalition of countries from the developing world committed to making savings accounts, insuran...
US President warns of more uninsured -- without health overhaul
President Obama points today to a new Treasury report to warn that many Americans could face the loss of health insurance -- a plight that could be prevented with his health care overhaul plan.
French president launches carbon tax to help 'save the human race'
Nicolas Sarkozy today vowed to lead the fight to "save the human race" from global warming, launching a carbon tax to encourage French families and industry to cut their use of fossil fuels.
Rep. Wilson shouts to Obama during speech: 'You lie'
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Republican House member shouted "You lie" during President Obama's health care speech to Congress on Wednesday, and members of both parties condemned the heckling.