Schröder's labour reforms pass Bundestag vote Gerhard Schröder has squeezed key labour market reforms through the Bundestag but now faces possible concessions in parliament's upper chamber controlled by the opposition.
13:21 | Read
US investors take a pause from digesting company results and switch their attention back to the US economy. Results from Sun Microsystems and eBay soured the outlook for tech stocks.
12:30 | Read
EUROPEAN EQUITIES Europe marks time ahead of US data Equity markets in Europe marked time ahead of the two economic reports due from the US. Housing starts and the Michigan consumer sentiment survey are likely to provide direction later.
13:17 | Read
George W. Bush
'Yet to come to grips with a clear policy on China' Beijing looms large in the White House's defence strategy. But the demands of the war on terrorism and the nuclear stand-off with North Korea mean that George W. Bush has different priorities as he begins a tour of Asia and the Pacific. Any mention of China-related security issues is likely to be made only in the context of economic development. Oct 16 2003 | Read
The Russian economy is almost entirely dependent on the provision of low-cost oil, gas and electricity, writes Fiona Hill, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Oct 16 2003 | Read
Cannabis has been used by doctors for thousands of years. The claimed medical benefits of the controversial drug are now being subjected to rigorous scientific testing.
Oct 16 2003 | Read
The UK government has to rest on the scientific advice - there is no other defensible position, even though public confidence in science has been shaken, says David Curry, Conservative MP.
Oct 16 2003 | Read
Philip Stephens: Bending towards Europe on defence Decisions taken in coming months about Europe's defence arrangements will shape the political geometry of an expanded EU. Tony Blair sits awkwardly at the centre of the tempest. 19:58 | Read
David Bowen: The web's sleeping giants The internet was a gift to international organisations and some of their sites are beacons of best practice. But they could make much greater use of the medium to hit back at their critics. 16:24 | Read