economy
A Renault car waits to be unveiledA Renault car waits to be unveiled at the Renault booth at the Geneva Auto Show in February 2006. Over 100,000 Iranians have bought Renault's Logan car within a week of it going on sale, marking a success for the French manufacturer in its first investment in Iran since the Islamic revolution.
Employees of the metal sector take part in a rally called by the powerful IG Metall union Employees of the metal sector take part in a rally called by the powerful IG Metall union in Duesseldorf, western Germany, in 2006. The powerful IG Metall labour union is calling for wage increases of 6.5 percent for the 3.4 million workers in the German engineering and metal-working industry in this year's wage talks which start on Monday.
A tanker maneuvers through a delapidated dirt road in Juba, south SudanA tanker maneuvers through a delapidated dirt road in Juba, south Sudan, in 2006. Sudan's economic liberalisation is spurring huge foreign investment and spectacular growth, but observers warn uneven social redistribution could only add to the restive country's woes.
China announced its second-largest monthly trade surplus in history even as it promised to take measures to such reduce imbalances with the outside world.
China's surplus last year soared 74 percent to hit a record 177.5 billion dollars but some economists are pencilling in 230 billion dollars for 2007.
Pascal Lamy said Monday deadlocked global trade talks could be concluded before a crucial June deadline when special US legislation on the negotiations expires.
Employees of the metal sector take part in a rally called by the powerful IG Metall unionEmployees of the metal sector take part in a rally called by the powerful IG Metall union in Duesseldorf, western Germany, in 2006. Germany's powerful IG Metall labour union called on Monday for wage increases this year of 6.5 percent for the 3.4 million workers in the German engineering and metal-working sector.
The euro rose to 1.3179 dollars in late European trading, from 1.3112 dollars late in New York on Friday.
Peer SteinbrueckGerman Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck, seen here in February 2007, has proposed a reform of corporate taxation that would lead to a big cut in company taxes from next year.
A motorist fills his vehicle at a gasoline station in Chicago, IllinoisA motorist fills his vehicle at a gasoline station in Chicago, Illinois. Higher fuel prices contributed to the US current account deficit surging to a new record high of 856.7 billion dollars last year in line with a groaning trade imbalance.
US 100 dollar banknotesUS 100 dollar banknotes. The US current account deficit surged to a new record high of 856.7 billion dollars last year in line with a groaning trade imbalance, the government said Wednesday.