Archive for July, 2010

Police seize $1.7bn worth of marijuana in California

Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Almost half a million marijuana plants were seized

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...

Military ‘kills’ Mexican drug lord Ignacio Coronel

Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Ignacio Coronel was known as the "King of Crystal"

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...

China allows release of IMF report

Thursday, July 29th, 2010
There have been calls for China to allow the yuan to strengthen

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...

Iraq military helicopter crash kills five

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
A bomb in the Sadr City district of Baghdad also killed five

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.

South African unions threaten to strike ‘in seven days’

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Transport workers won above-inflation pay rises earlier this year

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...

Bank of England governor hints rates will stay low

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

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...

Greece orders striking lorry drivers back to work

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

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 launches Indian trade drive

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

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...

Fidel Castro to release first volume of memoirs

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
Cuba's ageing former president describes how he became a guerrilla fighter

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...

BP to emerge ’smaller and wiser’

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
BP's outgoing chief executive Tony Hayward (l) appeared alongside the chairman and his successor Bob Dudley (r)

BP

BP will emerge from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill crisis a smaller and wiser company, according to the man who is due to take over the reins.

Bob Dudley, currently in charge of BP’s clean-up operation, will replace Tony… more...