Venezuela’s electoral council has amended the final result of the April 14 presidential election for Hugo Chavez’s successor after finishing counting votes cast abroad. The council said that according to its latest figures, Nicolas Maduro won the election by 1.49 percentage points, or fewer than 225,000 votes. Earlier official figures had suggested Nicolas Maduro won… Continue reading Venezuela election final result shows narrower victory for Nicolas Maduro
Category: Business
Alibaba buys 18% stake in Weibo for $586 million
China’s biggest e-commerce group Alibaba has bought an 18% stake in Weibo, China’s largest Twitter-like service, as it looks to tap into the fast-growing social media sector. Alibaba will pay $586 million for the stake, valuing Weibo at over $3.2 billion. The deal is expected to help Alibaba drive traffic from Weibo, which has more… Continue reading Alibaba buys 18% stake in Weibo for $586 million
Cheetah scratches Botswana President Ian Khama on his face
Botswana President Ian Khama needed stitches on his face after being scratched by a cheetah, officials say. The animal was reportedly being fed in its enclosure at an army barracks when it jumped up and scratched Ian Khama, who was standing nearby. The incident was “a freak accident, but not an attack”, government spokesman Jeff Ramsay told local… Continue reading Cheetah scratches Botswana President Ian Khama on his face
Last South Korean workers leave North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex
South Korea has decided to pull the last of its workers out of Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea, as Seoul announced moves to help affected firms. A total of 125 South Koreans left the joint Kaesong complex on Saturday, and the remaining 50 were expected to leave on Monday, officials said. They had been… Continue reading Last South Korean workers leave North Korea’s Kaesong Industrial Complex
Gunshots fired outside Italian PM’s office during new government swearing-in ceremony
A man has been arrested in Italy after he shot two police officers outside the PM’s office in Rome during new government swearing-in ceremony. One of the officers was shot in the neck and is said to be in a serious condition. The incident was around a kilometre away from the swearing-in ceremony at the… Continue reading Gunshots fired outside Italian PM’s office during new government swearing-in ceremony
Iceland centre-right opposition wins parliamentary election
Iceland’s centre-right opposition parties are set for a return to power with nearly all votes counted after Saturday’s parliamentary election. The Independence party has 26% and the Progressive party 24%, putting them on track to win nearly 40 of the 63 seats. The ruling Social Democrats are trailing with around 13%. It is a dramatic… Continue reading Iceland centre-right opposition wins parliamentary election
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika hospitalized in Paris after suffering mini-stroke
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has suffered a mini-stroke and has been flown to hospital in Paris, the state news agency said. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, had a “transient ischemia” – a temporary blockage of a blood vessel often called a mini-stroke – an official told the APS news agency. But he said there was “no reason… Continue reading Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika hospitalized in Paris after suffering mini-stroke
Enrico Letta agrees new Italian government ending two months of political deadlock
A deal on the formation of a new government has been reached in Italy, ending two months of political deadlock since the general election. The agreement was announced after Prime Minister-designate Enrico Letta met President Giorgio Napolitano. The coalition brings together Enrico Letta’s Democratic Party (PD) and the People of Freedom party (PDL) of former… Continue reading Enrico Letta agrees new Italian government ending two months of political deadlock
Mark Zuckerberg gained $2.3 billion from selling Facebook stock options before IPO
Frugal billionaire Mark Zuckerberg continues to enjoy his budget holiday in Hawaii with his wife Priscilla Chan, while it has been revealed he is even richer than previously thought. Mark Zuckerberg, 28, gained $2.3 billion from selling 60 million stock options just before Facebook’s initial public offering last year. Facebook’s CEO and his Harvard-educated doctor… Continue reading Mark Zuckerberg gained $2.3 billion from selling Facebook stock options before IPO
Barack Obama gifts received from foreign governments in 2011 revealed
The US state department has revealed the annual list of gifts received by President Barack Obama from foreign governments in 2011. Among the gifts from the British Royal Family and UK PM David Cameron to President Barack Obama were a china tea set, an eagle tapestry and a dog toy. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy… Continue reading Barack Obama gifts received from foreign governments in 2011 revealed
Boeing 787 Dreamliner returns to service with revamped battery
The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft returning to service since all 787s were grounded in January is an Ethiopian Airlines commercial flight due to take off from Addis Ababa on Saturday morning. The 50 planes around the world were grounded due to battery malfunctions that saw one 787 catch fire in the US. Over the… Continue reading Boeing 787 Dreamliner returns to service with revamped battery
Winston Churchill to feature new £5 banknote issued by Bank of England in 2016
Winston Churchill will feature on the new design of the £5 banknote which will enter circulation in 2016, the Bank of England has announced. The wartime British PM’s image is planned to feature on the reverse of the new £5 note, together with one of his most celebrated quotations. Sir Winston Churchill was chosen owing… Continue reading Winston Churchill to feature new £5 banknote issued by Bank of England in 2016
Samsung reports record Q1 profit boosted by smartphone sales
Samsung Electronics has reported a record quarterly profit in the first three months of 2013, boosted mainly by growing sales of its smartphones. The South Korean company made a net profit of 7.15 trillion won ($6.4 billion) during the period, up from 5.05 trillion won a year ago. Profits also rose from the previous quarter.… Continue reading Samsung reports record Q1 profit boosted by smartphone sales
Hyundai Motor reports 15% drop in its profits for Q1 2013
Hyundai Motor has reported a 15% drop in its profits for the first quarter of 2013, after being hit by industrial action and the strength of the won. The South Korean company’s net profit in the first three month came in at 2.1 trillion Korean won ($1.9 billion) compared with 2.5 trillion in the same… Continue reading Hyundai Motor reports 15% drop in its profits for Q1 2013
Henrique Capriles gives ultimatum over Venezuela’s presidential polls audit
Henrique Capriles, the opposition candidate for Venezuela’s presidency, has threatened to take action over disputed votes he claims were “stolen” by Nicolas Maduro’s government. Henrique Capriles Radonski demanded details of an audit of the vote the electoral council says it will carry out. He said the council had a “deadline” of Thursday, but did not… Continue reading Henrique Capriles gives ultimatum over Venezuela’s presidential polls audit
South Korea’s economy growth rate hits two-year high in Q1 2013
South Korea’s economy growth rate hit a two-year high in the first quarter of 2013, boosted by a rebound in construction, investment and exports. The economy grew by 0.9% in the January to March quarter from the Q4 2012, the central bank’s estimates showed. The data is likely to help allay fears over the health… Continue reading South Korea’s economy growth rate hits two-year high in Q1 2013
Enrico Letta to become Italy’s new prime minister
Enrico Letta appears set to become Italy’s new prime minister, after being asked by President Giorgio Napolitano to form a broad coalition government. The appointment of Enrico Letta, currently deputy leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, could see the end of two months of parliamentary deadlock. An inconclusive general election in February left the country… Continue reading Enrico Letta to become Italy’s new prime minister
Apple reports its first quarterly drop in profits in a decade in Q1 2013
Apple has reported its first quarterly drop in profits in a decade, but said it will raise dividends for shareholders. Apple made a net profit of $9.5 billion in the first quarter of 2013, down from $11.6 billion last year. However, the results were better than many had expected, as strong iPhone and iPad sales… Continue reading Apple reports its first quarterly drop in profits in a decade in Q1 2013
Internet sales tax bill endorsed by US Senate
The United States could force Internet retailers to collect sales taxes under a bill that overwhelmingly passed a test vote in the Senate Monday. Under current law, states can only require stores to collect sales taxes if the store has a physical presence in the state. As a result, many online sales are essentially tax-free,… Continue reading Internet sales tax bill endorsed by US Senate
Nike’s Boston Massacre T-shirts removed from shelves following Boston Marathon attack
Nike has decided to remove its T-shirts emblazoned with “Boston Massacre” from shelves after outcry over their insensitivity in the wake of the city’s bombings. The T-shirts, worn by Yankees fans, show blood-splattered lettering – a reference to when the team overcame a massive game deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox and win the… Continue reading Nike’s Boston Massacre T-shirts removed from shelves following Boston Marathon attack
Horacio Cartes elected as new president of Paraguay
Horacio Cartes has been elected as the new president of Paraguay. Wealthy businessman and political newcomer Horacio Cartes beat the Liberal Party’s Efrain Alegre by nine percentage points. The result restores the Colorado Party to power after its defeat by the left-wing candidate Fernando Lugo in 2008. Horacio Cartes faces the challenge of fighting high… Continue reading Horacio Cartes elected as new president of Paraguay
Lufthansa massive cancellations on April 22 due to ground staff strike
Lufthansa has cancelled the majority of its flights scheduled for Monday, April 22, due to a planned warning strike. The German airline said about only about 30 of its flights would run as planned on Monday, out of more than 1,700 originally scheduled. Only a select few short-haul flights will operate on Monday, such as… Continue reading Lufthansa massive cancellations on April 22 due to ground staff strike
Giorgio Napolitano becomes first Italian president re-elected for a second term
Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano has been re-elected following a cross-party appeal to run for office again to resolve a growing political crisis. Giorgio Napolitano, 87, secured the required 504 votes in parliament. Politicians had turned to the widely-respected president after five rounds of voting failed to produce a successor. A caretaker government has been governing… Continue reading Giorgio Napolitano becomes first Italian president re-elected for a second term
Pervez Musharraf in judicial custody for two weeks
Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has been remanded in judicial custody for two weeks over claims he illegally detained judges in 2007. Pervez Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan between 1999 and 2007, was arrested on Friday. The High Court ruled that the allegations amounted to an act of terrorism and ordered him to appear at… Continue reading Pervez Musharraf in judicial custody for two weeks
General Electric reports 16% profits rise for Q1 2013 after selling NBC Universal stake
General Electric has reported a 16% rise in its profits for the first quarter of 2013, helped by a one-off gain from the sale of its stake in NBC Universal. GE made a profit of $3.53 billion in Q1 2013, up from $3.03 billion last year. Revenue was flat at $35 billion. The conglomerate has… Continue reading General Electric reports 16% profits rise for Q1 2013 after selling NBC Universal stake