Aviation plea to leaders over EU price on carbon

Seven European aviation firms have written to governments complaining about the inclusion of airlines in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The signatories, which include Airbus, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, argue the move threatens…

US creates task force to target unfair trade practices

US President Barack Obama has created a new trade task force to investigate and crack down on unfair practices by American trading partners. The move comes amid concerns that unfair trading practices, especially by China, were harming US…

Elpida plunges 98% after bankruptcy protection filing

Shares of Elpida have plunged on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) after investors dumped stock after firm filed for bankruptcy protection. The company shares dipped as much as 98% to 5 yen. The TSE has said that it will delist Elpida from 28 March.…

Portugal passes latest bailout review

Portugal has passed the latest review of its continuing spending cuts and economic reforms, the country's Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar has said. It paves the way for the government to receive the next 14bn euros ($19bn; £12bn) round of bailout…

Markets rise on increase in US consumer confidence

Markets rose slightly on yesterday in volatile trading as an upbeat US consumer confidence indicator offset worries over Ireland's decision to hold a referendum on the plan to tie the 17 euro countries closer together. A forecast-busting consumer…

Digicel, FTC challenge continues

Lawyers will continue submissions in the Supreme Court tomorrow in an action brought by telecoms provider Digicel Jamaica challenging the jurisdiction of the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) in its legal attempt to roll back the Digicel-Claro deal.……

G20 finance ministers ask eurozone to boost rescue fund

Eurozone countries need to put more money in their rescue fund before G20 nations can step in to help them, the G20 finance ministers have said. They said such a move was "essential" to their decision to provide more resources to the…

China reforms needed to sustain growth, says World Bank

China needs to embrace fundamental free-market reforms if its economy is to continue to grow at the "impressive" pace of the past three decades, the World Bank has said. The country had reached a "turning point" and needed to reform a growth…

Greece bailout: German MPs give strong backing

German MPs have voted by 496 to 90 to back the second EU/IMF bailout for Greece. Chancellor Angela Merkel had urged them to back the deal, while conceding there was "no 100% guarantee" it would work. Several MPs in her party opposed the deal but it…

Payroll tax cut? ‘In your dreams’, says Premier

Premier Paula Cox told businesses in Bermuda to ‘keep dreaming’ about getting a payroll tax reduction today at the Chamber of Commerce’s Budget breakfast panel discussion hosted by PwC. “In your dreams”, she lightheartedly said to a chuckling…