US sees momentum in Asia-Pacific trade talks
Talks on a free trade agreement between the United States and eight countries in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region made good progress over the past week, but tough issues remain, the...
Industry
Global demand for gold dips 5%
Global demand for gold fell 5.0 percent in the first quarter of 2012 but demand in China hit record highs and outstripped that of megabuyer India, the World Gold Council said on...
Cotton: large stockpiles are driving prices down
The price of cotton fell to 77.16 cents last weekend as a result of an expected rise in American production and world stockpiles reaching a historic high.
Platinum surplus expected this year: study
Platinum will remain in surplus this year, weighing on prices, but sister metal palladium will switch into a deficit as demand recovers, industrials group Johnson Matthey predicted Monday.
Devastated textile town offers lessons for Serbia
The Zele Velkovic factory in Leskovac, once famous for its thriving textile industry, was one of the city's biggest when Yugoslavia started to implode in 1991.
Lithuania's blue blooms gone as flax farming ends
Lithuania, where the delicate blue blossoms of linseed were once so abundant they became a staple of folk songs and poetry, has turned to imports as growing the plant at home has become...
Gold falls on weak physical buying, soft jobs data
Gold fell on Wednesday as weak physical demand and losses in equities and other commodities following disappointing U.S. private-sector jobs data extended the precious metal's decline to...
U.S. consumer confidence surges as economy improves
U.S. consumer confidence surged in the first quarter to its highest in more than four years as the economy improved, contrasting with still very low morale among debt-laden euro zone...
Silkworms and squid inspire smart materials
Car panels made of silkworm cocoons, clothing that can camouflage the wearer at the flick of a switch and a "smart" shirt with a phone and power source embedded in the fabric.
France says EU to adopt new sanctions on Syria, export of luxury goods blocked
The new measures would restrict exports of two types of merchandise: luxury products and certain raw materials that could be "recycled to be used for repression."
“Made in Brazil” at heart of plans to kick-start growth
Brazil has announced a series of measures intended to kick-start its growth. In addition to supporting for local manufacturers, the government has announced plans to exempt 15 industry...
China's small exporters must adapt or die
Chen Lifeng's dress-making company survived the global financial crisis yet may fall victim to today's milder economic slowdown, one that China deems necessary to secure its future...
Economic glow seen fading fast for UK
If Britain was hoping the Olympics would mark a turning point for a struggling economy, then it is in for a disappointment despite the government's efforts to cash in on the Games.
Dynamic CEOs defy Japan Inc's decline
When Yusaku Maezawa quit playing drums in a punk band to devote himself full-time to his business selling Tokyo street fashion on the Internet, his main goal was to have fun.
Diamonds not forever: Rio Tinto may sell business
Rio Tinto, the world's third-largest miner, effectively invited bids on Tuesday for its diamonds business, on its books at 752.1 million pounds, and joined rival BHP Billiton in backing...