News

October 12, 2011

Federal Reserve split over ‘Operation Twist’ stimulus

Three members of the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted against the Fed's latest stimulus measures at its meeting last month, minutes have revealed. After the meeting, the Fed announced a $400bn (£254bn) bond programme designed…

October 12, 2011

Australia parliament passes divisive carbon tax

Australia's lower house of parliament has narrowly passed a bill for a controversial carbon tax. The legislation would force about 500 of the biggest polluters to pay for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. The tax is central to the government's…

October 12, 2011

US Senate passes bill to pressure China on yuan

The US Senate has voted through a bill that aims to aims to put pressure on China to increase the value of its currency, the yuan. Some lawmakers argue that the Chinese yuan has been kept artificially undervalued, giving the country an unfair…

October 12, 2011

Underpants bomber’ Abdulmutallab pleads guilty

A Nigerian accused of trying to bomb a US-bound flight on Christmas Day 2009 has told…

October 12, 2011

US Treasury imposes sanctions on Iran’s Mahan Air

The US has imposed sanctions on an Iranian airline it says flew members of an elite force linked to an alleged plot to kill the Saudi envoy to the US. The US Treasury says Mahan Air ferried operatives from Iran's Quds Force and Hezbollah across…

October 12, 2011

Viktor Bout arms dealing trial begins in New York

A former Soviet military officer has appeared before a New York court to face charges of selling arms to anti-American rebels. The prosecution says Viktor Bout, dubbed a "Merchant of Death", wanted to sell "staggering quantities" of weapons and…

October 12, 2011

Republican hopefuls in TV debate

Republican presidential candidates discussed the economy during a televised debate in the state of…

October 12, 2011

UK unemployment total reaches 17-year high

UK unemployment rose by 114,000 between June and August to 2.57 million, a 17-year high, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the unemployment rate also increased to 8.1%. The unemployment total for 16-24 year…

October 12, 2011

‘Underwear bomber’ Abdulmutallab on trial in Detroit

A Nigerian accused of trying to bomb a Detroit-bound flight on Christmas Day 2009 was on…

October 12, 2011

Burma frees dozens of political prisoners

The Burmese government has freed more than 180 political prisoners as part of a general amnesty, activists say. A popular comedian and dissident, Zarganar, was among the first to be freed. Some monks and journalists were also released. Burmese…