brussels bureau Greek Cypriots offer northern Turks a way out A sign of increasing political goodwill on divided Cyprus with the President saying he is prepared to open the country’s airports and ports to 30/09/2008
brussels bureau Council of Europe opens Georgia debates The Council of Europe opened debates today leading to a resolution and Thursday vote on the thorny subject of Georgia. There was a demonstration 30/09/2008
brussels bureau EU observers begin danger-laden Georgia mission The EU’s observers in Georgia begin their mission on Wednesday, and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana has been visiting them to assure them of 30/09/2008
world news Moves to reassure investors The Irish government was the latest to step in to try calm investors fears. The authorities in Dublin have given a blanket guarantee for the next two 30/09/2008
Business German jobless total down Germany’s jobless rate dipped to a 16-year-low in September. Adjusted for seasonal swings, unemployment fell by 29,000 from August, according to the 30/09/2008
Business Euro zone inflation slipping Inflation in the euro zone fell to 3.6% in September, compared with the same month last year. The rise in consumer prices slowed from August’s 3.8% 30/09/2008
world news Economic nervousness not just in board rooms The global money crisis may be rattling nerves in the banking and financial service industries, but the panic is not only limited to the board 30/09/2008
world news Palestinians talk of reconciliation As Muslims around the world celebrate the end of Ramadan there are new hopes for reconciliation among Palestinians. The Festival of Eid el-Fitr is 30/09/2008
world news Merkel faced with prickly ally Two days after the ruling party in Bavaria slumped at the ballot box the future for Germany’s Christian Democrat Chancellor Angela Merkel now appears 30/09/2008
world news New Austrian coalition beckons The removal of the obstacle to a new grand coalition in Austria – namely Wilhelm Molterer – could bury the chances of the far-right parties returning 30/09/2008
world news Brussels urges approval of US rescue plan The European Commission has expressed its disappointment that Washington has failed to approve a plan of the kind needed to save banks like Dexia 30/09/2008
World Dior's Galliano sets a sexy tone Dior designer John Galliano brought his ready-to-wear collection to the Tuileries Gardens in Paris, and labelled it “tribal chic”. Skirts were short 30/09/2008
World New cameras showcased in Germany The Photokina trade fair in Germany had exhibits ranging from compact cameras for the amateur to underwater cameras, face detection technology and 30/09/2008
Cinema A tale of vulgarity and bad manners The film “How To Lose Friends and Alienate People” is based on the life of the outrageous – some would say obnoxious – British journalist Toby Young 30/09/2008
world news Bush warns Congress not to dither over rescue plan The US President has urged Congress to “act decisively now” to limit what he called “painful and lasting” economic damage. In a statement aimed at 30/09/2008
world news UK's Cameron joins criticisms of Congress The financial crisis is also a huge political issue for politicians around the world, particularly those aspiring to lead their countries. In 30/09/2008
world news Merkel's Bavarian ally pays the price of poll failure A key ally of Angela Merkel is stepping down after disastrous election results that have undermined the German Chancellor. Erwin Huber led Bavaria’s 30/09/2008
world news Dexia saved by shareholder intervention The troubled Franco-Belgian financial group, Dexia, has become the second euro-zone bank to be bailed out within 48 hours as the global credit crunch 30/09/2008
world news Congress 'no' vote a reaction to voters concerns Fears of a voter backlash appear to be the main reason members of the US House of Representatives voted against the economic rescue plan. The 30/09/2008
world news Mixed fortunes for European shares European shares have rallied after sliding sharply on opening. After beginning the day close to record lows, there was volatile trading across the 30/09/2008
Business Back to the drawing board in the US It’s back to the drawing board in the US as the country struggles to contain its spiralling financial turmoil. Yesterday, lawmakers threw out a 500 30/09/2008
Austria conservatives name new leader Austria’s conservatives have named a new leader, increasing the chances of a new centrist coalition after the weekend’s snap election which saw 30/09/2008
Business Stocks fall around the world Japan’s benchmark Nikkei trading index has fallen almost five percent in early trading hours after the financial bail-out plan was thrown out by 30/09/2008
world news US presidential candidates react to Congress "No" vote An optimistic Barack Obama has said he believes Congress will ultimately pass the 700 billion dollar proposal. The Democratic White House hopeful had 30/09/2008
world news Markets plummet around the world Japan’s benchmark Nikkei trading index has fallen almost five percent in early trading hours after the financial bail-out plan was thrown out by 30/09/2008