Algeria oil industry: ‘Dark cloud’ over production

The situation with oil workers taken hostage in Algeria puts a "dark cloud" over the country's production, an international energy body has said. Several hostages have been killed. The International Energy Agency said that "political risk writ…

‘Wrong’ maple leaf on Canadian banknotes

Canada's new plastic banknotes feature Norway maple leaves, instead of the Canadian sugar maple leaf, according to botanists. They argue the leaf shown features more sections and has a more pointed outline than the Canadian version. The maple leaf…

Fitch warns of risk to UK’s AAA credit rating

The UK continues to risk losing its top AAA credit rating if it does not reduce its debt, a senior figure at Fitch Ratings has told the BBC. David Riley reiterated that Fitch was unhappy that the chancellor said in the Autumn Statement that the…

T&T economy has improved

Central Bank Governor Jwala Rambarran remained mum yesterday about whether Government’s declining approval ratings could affect economic confidence, but he was heartened to see a positive public perception that the local economy has improved.…

Germany’s economic growth slows sharply in 2012

The German economy grew by 0.7% in 2012, a sharp slowdown on the previous year, preliminary figures show. The figure was well below the 3% growth seen in 2011 and suggests the economy contracted in the fourth quarter. "In 2012, the German economy…

Apple suppliers’ shares fall on report of cut in orders

Shares of Sharp and other suppliers of iPhone parts to Apple have fallen after reports of a cut in orders for the iPhone 5. Apple has reduced orders by about 50% for its latest model, according to the Nikkei newspaper in Japan. Sharp, which makes…

Platinum Producer to Cut 14,000 Jobs in South Africa

Mining giant Anglo American Platinum has announced plans to close four mine shafts in South Africa and cut up to 14,000 jobs. The vast majority of the job cuts would be in the city of Rustenburg, where at least 46 people were killed in mine-related…

Volkswagen sales hit record high in 2012

Volkswagen says its group sales hit a record high last year despite slowing sales in Western Europe. The German carmaker sold 9.07 million cars last year, up 11% from 2011. Sales in North America and Asia-Pacific rose 26.2% and 23.3% respectively,…

Heathrow: 2012 ‘busiest year on record’

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UPS drops 5.2bn-euro bid for TNT over EU competition

Package delivery firm United Parcel Service (UPS) has pulled out of its 5.2bn-euro ($6.8bn; £4.3bn) bid for Dutch rival TNT Express after discovering EU competition authorities would probably block the deal. UPS said it saw "no realistic prospect"…