December 10, 2011
Insurers face ratings downgrade threat from S&P
Some of Europe's top insurance companies have been warned their credit rating could be downgraded as a result of the European financial crisis. The warning comes from the rating agency Standard and Poor's, which earlier this week warned most…
December 10, 2011
French bank ratings downgraded again by Moody’s
Credit rating agency Moody's has downgraded France's three big banks due to their difficulty borrowing money. The agency cut Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas from Aa2 to Aa3, and Societe Generale from Aa3 to A1. The move follows a previous rating cut…
December 10, 2011
German exports drop as southern Europe markets shrink
German exports fell 3.6% in October as demand from crisis-hit southern European markets shrank, data shows. It was the biggest fall in six months, and much bigger than the 1% decline expected by markets. German imports shrank by 1% versus a month…
December 10, 2011
US trade deficit narrows further to $43.5bn
The US trade deficit narrowed further in October as imports fell faster than exports, official data has shown. Total exports of $179bn (£115bn) fell 0.8% from September, while imports fell 1% to $223bn, giving a total deficit of $43.5bn, or roughly…
December 10, 2011
Russian election: Moscow braced for fresh protests
Moscow is braced for what the opposition claims will be the biggest demonstration in Russia for 20 years. Tens of thousands are expected to gather in a square south of the Kremlin, in the latest show of anger over disputed parliamentary polls.…
December 10, 2011
Appeals for calm after disputed DR Congo election
There have been appeals for calm in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the victory of President Joseph Kabila in disputed elections. Main opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi has rejected official results and declared himself the…
December 10, 2011
US General Martin Dempsey warns of unrest
The top US military commander, Gen Martin Dempsey, says he is concerned about "the potential for civil unrest" as Europe's financial crisis unfolds. Gen Dempsey said it was unclear the latest steps taken by EU leaders would be enough to hold the…
December 10, 2011
Egypt’s new government seeks to achieve people’s aspirations: PM
Egypt's Prime Minister Kamal el- Ganzouri stressed on Friday that the new government seeks to achieve people's aspirations in the coming period, official news agency MENA reported. At Friday's conference of the new government, Ganzouri urged all…
December 10, 2011
China Joins Joint Patrols of Mekong River
Chinese officials say more than 200 armed police began joint Mekong River security patrols Saturday, with forces from Burma, Laos and Thailand. The patrols are a response to the deaths of 13 Chinese sailors who were attacked on two cargo ships in…
December 10, 2011
Al Qaida Groups Claims Responsibility for Kidnappings
The North African branch of al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for two kidnappings in Mali last month but denied being involved in a recent abduction of foreigners in Algeria. Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb said it was behind the kidnapping of…