Business

US jobless claims drop for fifth week in a row 24 Dec 2014 - 09:46 pm

Initial jobless claims, a sign of the pace of layoffs, totalled 280,000 in the week ending Dec 20, down 9,000 from the previous...

Kuwait commissions new gas processing plant 24 Dec 2014 - 09:27 pm

KUWAIT CITY - Kuwait has commissioned a new natural gas plant that will raise the energy-rich state's production capacity to more than 2...

Russian inflation passes 10% 24 Dec 2014 - 09:21 pm

MOSCOW - Russian inflation has climbed into double digits -- hitting 10.4 percent, data released Wednesday showed, indicating that prices could be growing...

Turkey bank defies Erdogan to hold rates 24 Dec 2014 - 09:08 pm

ANKARA - Turkey's central bank on Wednesday kept its main interest rates unchanged, defying pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a cut...

European equities diverge in quiet Christmas Eve trade 24 Dec 2014 - 08:55 pm

LONDON - European stock markets diverged in Christmas Eve trade on Wednesday, after a global rally that was sparked by stellar economic growth...

Turkey holds rates again despite Erdogan pressure 24 Dec 2014 - 08:34 pm

ANKARA - Turkey's central bank on Wednesday kept its main interest rates unchanged, again resiting pressure from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a...

Kellogg and Abraaj up bids in battle for Egypt's Bisco Misr 24 Dec 2014 - 07:56 pm

By Stephen Kalin and Ehab Farouk CAIRO - Kellogg Co, the world's largest breakfast cereal maker, once again raised its bid for Egyptian...

Google's YouTube tentatively agrees to stream 'The Interview' 24 Dec 2014 - 07:42 pm

A man walks by the poster for the film 'The Interview' outside the Alamo Drafthouse theater in Littleton, Colorado Google Inc's YouTube unit...

US STOCKS-Wall St inches up in short session, indexes at records 24 Dec 2014 - 07:26 pm

By Ryan Vlastelica * Initial jobless claims fall for fourth straight week * Biotech shares rebound after sharp two-day decline; energy falls *...

Egypt would not be affected by a Russian wheat export ban 24 Dec 2014 - 07:20 pm

CAIRO - Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, would not be affected by any Russian ban on wheat exports as it has alternative...

Putin orders vodka price cap as Russia's economic crisis escalates 24 Dec 2014 - 06:59 pm

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government on Wednesday to rein in rising vodka prices, as he battles to preserve his...

Crude oil down $2 a barrel after surprise stockpile jump 24 Dec 2014 - 06:53 pm

Oil prices fell $2 a barrel in New York trade on Wednesday after government data showed a large surprise build in crude oil...

US stocks ride 'Santa Claus rally' to further gains 24 Dec 2014 - 05:50 pm

NEW YORK - US stocks Wednesday opened higher as the positive momentum from Tuesday's record-setting trade carried over into a holiday-shortened session. Five...

Dash for cash as $2 million spills onto Hong Kong highway 24 Dec 2014 - 05:46 pm

HONG KONG - Boxes filled with more than US$2 million in cash spilled out of an armoured van onto a major Hong Kong...

Russian inflation passes 10% 24 Dec 2014 - 05:20 pm

MOSCOW---Russian inflation has climbed into double digits -- hitting 10.4 percent, data released Wednesday showed, indicating that prices could be growing faster than...

Spain gives regions funding boost 24 Dec 2014 - 04:00 pm

MADRID-- The Spanish government is set to give the country's regions a financing boost as it heads into elections year, including through zero...

China unveils fresh support for outbound investment 24 Dec 2014 - 03:46 pm

BEIJING-- China will simplify currency rules and step up credit support for firms investing overseas, the cabinet said on Wednesday, It was the...

Turkish central bank keeps rates unchanged 24 Dec 2014 - 03:38 pm

ISTANBUL--Turkey's central bank left its main interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, opting to keep policy tight as it awaits a sustained improvement in...