US economic growth slowed between April and June, with GDP growing by an annualised rate of 2.4%, the US Commerce Department has said.
This compares with an annual rate of 3.7% in the previous quarter.
The second quarter figure is a first estimate, and could be revised either up or down in the coming months.
There are growing fears about the strength of the US economic recovery… more...
Almost half a million marijuana plants were seized
Police in California say they have seized $1.7bn worth of marijuana plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
They have also arrested 97 people over the past three weeks, most of them Mexican nationals… more...
Ignacio Coronel was known as the
The Mexican government says security forces have killed Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel, a top member of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel.
Coronel was believed to be the right-hand man of Joaquin “Shorty” Guzman, Mexico’s… more...
There have been calls for China to allow the yuan to strengthen
China has allowed the publication of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff report for the first time since 2006.
China had previously… more...
A bomb in the Sadr City district of Baghdad also killed five
A sandstorm has downed an Iraqi military helicopter, killing its five-member crew, while a Baghdad blast has killed five Iraqis, officials say.
Transport workers won above-inflation pay rises earlier this year
South African public sector workers have told the government they will go on strike in seven days if their pay demands are not met.
The coalition of unions, representing as many… more...
The governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, has said he is more concerned about the strength of the recovery than inflation.
His comments, made during an appearance in front of the House of Commons’ Treasury Committee, suggest he believes interest rates should stay low for the foreseeable future.
Mr King said he could not be confident that growth was firmly established.
Latest figures show the… more...
The Greek government has used a rare emergency order to force lorry drivers back to work after a three-day strike.
The drivers have until later on Thursday to return to the roads or face arrest and the loss of their licenses.
Most petrol stations in Athens are out of fuel and shops and factories are running low on supplies.
The drivers oppose government plans to open… more...
David Cameron has begun a two-day visit to India with the aim of strengthening relations and creating jobs in the UK.
The prime minister is leading what Downing Street describes as the largest UK trade delegation in living memory.
Beginning his tour in Bangalore, Mr Cameron will say he wants to make the UK the “partner of choice” for India.
Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced… more...
Cuba
Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro has unveiled plans to release the first volume of his memoirs.
The book, to be called The Strategic Victory, will be published in August.
It will focus on the… more...