Japan economy enters contraction starting with Q3 2012

Japan's economy contracted in the third quarter of 2012, as a global economic slowdown and anti-Japan protests in China hurt its exports

Japan’s economy contracted in the third quarter of 2012, as a global economic slowdown and anti-Japan protests in China hurt its exports, while domestic consumption remained subdued. Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 3.5% from a year earlier. Compared with the previous three months, the economy contracted 0.9%. The weak data is likely to put pressure… Continue reading Japan economy enters contraction starting with Q3 2012

Nate Silver, the man who predicted election results and Barack Obama’s victory

Nate Silver, the 34-year-old statistician who developed his own formula for predicting presidential outcomes

Nate Silver, a New York Times blogger and celebrity numbers wiz, is set to make millions for his spot-on election prediction. Nate Silver, the 34-year-old statistician who developed his own formula for predicting presidential outcomes, bet MSNB morning host Joe Scarborough $2,000 that Barack Obama would win the election on November 6. Both men agreed… Continue reading Nate Silver, the man who predicted election results and Barack Obama’s victory

Barack Obama wins Florida vote widening his electoral margin over Mitt Romney

Barack Obama has won the presidential vote in Florida, widening his electoral victory margin over Mitt Romney

Barack Obama has won the presidential vote in Florida – widening his electoral victory margin over Republican rival, Mitt Romney. The vote count in the only state which had not declared a result from Tuesday’s election gave Barack Obama 50% to Mitt Romney’s 49.1%, according to Florida state department figures. Barack Obama has now won… Continue reading Barack Obama wins Florida vote widening his electoral margin over Mitt Romney

EU 2013 budget talks collapse

EU talks about 2013 budget have collapsed, after negotiators from the EU and member states were unable to agree on extra funding for 2012

EU talks about 2013 budget have collapsed, after negotiators from the EU and member states were unable to agree on extra funding for 2012. The EU Commission and European Parliament had asked for a budget rise of 6.8% in 2013. But most governments wanted to limit the rise to just 2.8%. The failure of the… Continue reading EU 2013 budget talks collapse

Chris Christie called Barack Obama to congratulate him on his re-election

Governor Chris Christie telephoned Barack Obama after his election win but only sent an email to Mitt Romney

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has been under fire from conservatives for his effusive praise of Barack Obama after Hurricane Sandy, telephoned the president after his election win but only sent an email to Mitt Romney, it was revealed today. Chris Christie told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that he had talked… Continue reading Chris Christie called Barack Obama to congratulate him on his re-election

Ten signs Election Day is over

Ten signs Election Day is over

It’s been a long slog of a campaign and many Americans – whether their favored candidate won or lost – are just relieved it’s over. Here are 10 signs Election Day has been and gone. 1. No-one cares about Ohio Once every four years, the state finds itself at the centre of the political universe,… Continue reading Ten signs Election Day is over

Barack Obama addresses looming fiscal cliff

Barack Obama is expected to discuss the so-called fiscal cliff, a package of tax rises and spending cuts due early next year unless Congress acts

President Barack Obama will make a statement on the economy later, setting the stage for a political showdown over a looming budget crisis. Barack Obama is expected to discuss the so-called fiscal cliff, a package of tax rises and spending cuts due early next year unless Congress acts. Budget analysts warn the US will tip… Continue reading Barack Obama addresses looming fiscal cliff

McDonald’s Follansbee flies US flag upside-down as businesses close for a day of mourning after Barack Obama’s re-election

Follansbee McDonald’s restaurant hung the US flag at half-mast and upside-down

Several American businesses reacted to the news of President Barack Obama’s re-election with both anger and despair, as one McDonald’s location hung the US flag at half-mast and upside-down. Some diners at the Follansbee restaurant in West Virginia could not believe their eyes when the say the flag on the day after Barack Obama secured… Continue reading McDonald’s Follansbee flies US flag upside-down as businesses close for a day of mourning after Barack Obama’s re-election

Iberia airlines to cut 4,500 jobs as part of IAG restructuring plan

IAG has announced 4,500 job cuts at Iberia as part of a widely anticipated restructuring of the Spanish carrier

British Airways-owner IAG has announced 4,500 job cuts at Iberia as part of a widely anticipated restructuring of the Spanish carrier. Iberia is cutting its 156-strong fleet by 25 aircraft, and reducing 15% of its network capacity, with the airline focusing on the most profitable routes. The plan aims to stem Iberia’s cash losses by… Continue reading Iberia airlines to cut 4,500 jobs as part of IAG restructuring plan

Bananas trade dispute ends after 20 years

An international trade dispute over bananas between Europe and Latin America, dating back two decades, has finally been settled

An international trade dispute over bananas between Europe and Latin America, dating back two decades, has finally been settled. The European Union and 10 Latin American countries signed an agreement to formally end eight separate World Trade Organization (WTO) cases. The head of the WTO, Pascal Lamy, called it a truly historic moment. The formal… Continue reading Bananas trade dispute ends after 20 years

How Barack Obama won 2012 election

President Barack Obama won re-election with a similar coalition that carried him to the presidency in 2008: women, young voters, African Americans and Latinos

President Barack Obama won re-election with a similar coalition that carried him to the presidency in 2008: women, young voters, African Americans and Latinos. But the popular vote was not as strongly in Barack Obama’s favor this time, owing to declines in some key but shrinking parts of the electorate. 1. The female vote Men… Continue reading How Barack Obama won 2012 election

China’s Communist Party starts leadership transfer at its 18th congress

China’s President Hu Jintao has opened a Communist Party congress that begins a once-in-a-decade power transfer with a stark warning on corruption

China’s President Hu Jintao has opened a Communist Party congress that begins a once-in-a-decade power transfer with a stark warning on corruption. Addressing more than 2,000 delegates, Hu Jintao said that a failure to tackle the issue “could prove fatal to the party”. China faced unprecedented opportunities and challenges, he said, and the nation should… Continue reading China’s Communist Party starts leadership transfer at its 18th congress

Barack Obama returns to White House for four more years of challenges

Barack Obama wasted little time on Wednesday as he headed back to Washington hours after celebrating his election victory in Chicago and securing a second term in the White House

Barack Obama wasted little time on Wednesday as he headed back to Washington hours after celebrating his election victory in Chicago and securing a second term in the White House. Fresh challenges lie ahead for the president as the stock market tumbled in response to his triumph at the polls over Mitt Romney and sabre-rattling… Continue reading Barack Obama returns to White House for four more years of challenges

Greece parliament backs new austerity measures plan despite violente protests

Greek parliament has narrowly backed a fresh round of austerity measures, despite violent protests across the country

Greek parliament has narrowly backed a fresh round of austerity measures, despite violent protests across the country. The austerity package aimed at securing the next round of bailout funds was passed with 153 MPs in favor – a majority of just three. The 13.5 billion-euro ($17.3 billion) bill includes tax rises and pension cuts. Earlier,… Continue reading Greece parliament backs new austerity measures plan despite violente protests

Dow Jones plunges 300 points after Barack Obama re-election as Wall St suffers worst day of the year

Dow Jones plunges 300 points after Barack Obama re-election as Wall Street suffers worst day of the year

New York stocks on Wednesday night took fright at the outcome of the American presidential election as the world braced itself for prolonged and difficult negotiations over the US budget deficit and debt levels. Despite all the discussion of a bipartisan approach to tackling the US’s $1trillion a year budget deficit, investors fear that President… Continue reading Dow Jones plunges 300 points after Barack Obama re-election as Wall St suffers worst day of the year

2012 Mitt Romney concession speech in full

Mitt Romney thanked family and campaigners for support in his concession speech after admitting defeat in 2012 US election

Mitt Romney thanked family and campaigners for support in his concession speech after admitting defeat in 2012 US election. Congratulating Barack Obama on his win, Mitt Romney said the Republican Party’s “principles would endure” the defeat and asked his supporters to join him and his wife Ann in praying for Obama and the U.S. “Thank… Continue reading 2012 Mitt Romney concession speech in full

2012 Barack Obama acceptance speech in full

Barack Obama announced that the “best is yet to come” during a moving acceptance speech as the news came that he had been re-elected as President of the United States

Barack Obama announced that the “best is yet to come” during a moving acceptance speech as the news came that he had been re-elected as President of the United States. President Barack Obama vowed to return to the White House “more determined and inspired than ever”, saying he had “listened and learned” during his campaign.… Continue reading 2012 Barack Obama acceptance speech in full

Barack Obama Twitter: Four more years

Barack Obama won re-election to the White House tonight with a landslide victory over Mitt Romney

Barack Obama won re-election to the White House tonight with a landslide victory over Mitt Romney, according to projections from most of the television networks. Broadcast networks called the 2012 presidential election for Barack Obama as he swept the map with wins in the swings states of Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Virginia… Continue reading Barack Obama Twitter: Four more years

Barack Obama re-elected as US president

Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican rival Mitt Romney

Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican rival Mitt Romney. With results in from most states, Barack Obama has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race. Barack Obama prevailed despite lingering dissatisfaction with the economy and a well-funded challenge by Mitt Romney. Barack Obama’s margin… Continue reading Barack Obama re-elected as US president

2012 Election Results So Far

Voting results election 2012

2012 Election: voting results so far Alabama (9 electoral votes) Mitt Romney 61% (1,245,221 votes) Barack Obama 38% (787,027 votes) Alaska (3 electoral votes) Mitt Romney 55% (120,329 votes) Barack Obama 41% (90,743 votes) Arizona (11 electoral votes) Mitt Romney 55% (896,302 votes) Barack Obama 43% (707,744 votes) Arkansas (6 electoral votes) Mitt Romney 60%… Continue reading 2012 Election Results So Far

2012 election results so far: Who is winning presidential race?

The final voting precincts on the west coast won't even begin to be tallied until early Wednesday morning, but the election could be decided much earlier than that

The final voting precincts on the west coast won’t even begin to be tallied until early Wednesday morning, but the election could be decided much earlier than that. Polls begin to close at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and results will flood in not long thereafter. Whichever candidate reaches 270 electoral college votes wins the White… Continue reading 2012 election results so far: Who is winning presidential race?

Nissan slashes full-year profit forecast by 20% after China row

Nissan has slashed its full-year profit forecast by 20 percent after car sales slumped in China amid anti-Japanese protests

Nissan has slashed its full-year profit forecast by 20% after car sales slumped in China amid anti-Japanese protests. The Japanese carmaker now expects a net profit of 320 billion yen ($4 billion) for the year ending March 2013, down from an earlier estimate of 400 billion yen. Nissan says car sales plunged 35% in China… Continue reading Nissan slashes full-year profit forecast by 20% after China row

Barack Obama wins election in Hart’s Location, one of New Hampshire town that enjoys first vote-status

Barack Obama won election in Hart's Location, one of two tiny New Hampshire villages that get to cast the first votes of the presidential race on Election Day

Barack Obama won election in Hart’s Location, one of two tiny New Hampshire villages that get to cast the first votes of the presidential race on Election Day. Barack Obama won with 23 votes, Mitt Romney received 9 and Libertarian Gary Johnson received 1 vote. In 2008, Barack Obama received 17 of the 29 votes… Continue reading Barack Obama wins election in Hart’s Location, one of New Hampshire town that enjoys first vote-status

Election Day 2012: US voters head to polls to decide tight race

Tens of millions of Americans head to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to re-elect President Barack Obama or hand the job to Republican Mitt Romney

Tens of millions of Americans head to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to re-elect President Barack Obama or hand the job to Republican Mitt Romney. The voting ends a hard-fought race that began nearly two years ago and has cost more than $2 billion. Polls will begin closing in eastern states at 19:00… Continue reading Election Day 2012: US voters head to polls to decide tight race

Election Day: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney address final rallies in swing states

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have spent the day before the election visiting key swing states and making final pitches to voters

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have spent the day before the election visiting key swing states and making final pitches to voters. Mitt Romney went to Florida, where polls suggest he has the edge, and then to Virginia, New Hampshire and Ohio. President Barack Obama appeared in Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio, joined at rallies by… Continue reading Election Day: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney address final rallies in swing states