POLITICS

The biggest ever EU investment conference got underway on Monday with the start of a four day meeting in Brussels. A total of 30 European countries will prepare around 300 regional development programs for the next seven years worth $630 billion (€500 billion).

Denmark announced a donation of $2.37 million (DKK 14 million) to support the WTO's technical assistance and training activities in developing countries.

One of the world's largest diamonds, the 603-carat “Lesotho Promise Diamond,” was sold on Monday for $12.36 million, announced Gem Diamonds, the former owners of the diamond.

The South Korean UN Secretary-General nominee said on Monday he would work towards resolving the North Korea's nuclear bomb test crisis.

The Kyrgyz Republic has made impressive progress since its economic and political transition to a market-based economy, but some continued reform remains important, the WTO Secretariat reported on Monday.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday his government is focusing on boosting economic growth by creating a broad consensus with trade unions and political parties.

Small and medium businesses in Bulgaria will receive a $38 million (€30 million) loan from the European Investment Bank, the EU institution said on Thursday.

The International Monetary Fund urged Denmark on Thursday to slow its economic growth for next year by issuing higher interest rates.

Developing countries lacking in infrastructure and skills will not benefit from economic globalization regardless of open market access, a United Nations trade official said Wednesday.

Kenya Airways will not launch scheduled flights to Congo Brazzaville tomorrow as earlier announced.Unresolved issues in negotiations on air traffic rights forced the last-minute cancellation.

Striking workers of Barclays Bank Ghana yesterday resumed work following a resolution of grievances of workers at a meeting between the workers' representatives, the Management in the presence of National Labour Commission (NLC) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

The debate on whether or not Rwanda and Burundi should be included in the East African Community (EAC) has existed since the concept of re-igniting the regional union several years ago. Internally, the will to federate in East Africa has always seemed crippled by instincts of self preservation arising out fear of domination by a 'superior state' over 'weaker' ones.

Ethiopian Airlines has won the African Airline of the Year 2006 Award, the company's management announced last Wednesday.

New Zealand, be short of workforce, become a goal of China who are seeking the ways for its superfluous skilled labors in the world.

11,260 sale and purchase agreements of all types of building units were subscribed in September, an surge of 29.8% on August and a rise of 29.3% on the same period last year, Hong Kong Land Registry said.

Morgan Stanley Asian director and general manager Andy Xie suddenly refered a resignation......

Hong Kong shares yestoday rose 22 pcts to close at 17,629, recording a new high point in six year for 5 consecutive increasing days; while the market value of HK shares aslo broke the historic record......

European Union (EU) yestoday announced it will collect the anti-dumping taxes of 16.5% and 10% for leather shoes importing from China and Vietnam respectively......

Shui On Land, a Shanghai-based property developer, gave brokers a surprise - its shares climbed 10.28% on their Hong Kong trading debut Wednesday.

Federal Reserve Bank Chief Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday there is a need for U.S. consumers to save more money. However he added that “no silver bullet” has yet been found for a way to increase household savings.

Morley Fund Management today announced that it appointed Mick Chadwick as head of dealing on its stock lending team.

Three European companies were found guilty of fraud in a major development project in southern Africa by a Lesotho judiciary. The companies were fined a total of $5.6 million (€4.4 million) on Wednesday.

Manganese Bronze Holdings Plc today announced that it had signed Heads of Terms with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group CO. Ltd, the Chinese car manufacturer.

Nokia today announced that it would be entering a software platform collaboration with Orange in order “to facilitate device customisation and strengthen the role of S60 devices.”

Jessops said it had acquired 20 stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland, boosting its total outlets to 313.

Financiers have found a perfect way to splurge their annual bonuses cosmetic surgery to keep them looking youthful in a fiercely competitive job market.

Hardly anyone expects the Bank of England to raise interest rates this week but markets are still on heightened alert after the central bank caught them on the hop with a quarter point hike in August.

ASDA said it would pay workers under the age of 18 at the same rate as adult staff following new EU rules on age discrimination.

Tuesday's collapse in wholesale gas prices, as a huge inflow through a new pipeline from Norway forced suppliers to pay to get rid of it, does not mean Britons will be spending less to keep warm this winter.