World Rehn warns there must be reform Rehn: “It is really high time now to supplement the monetary union with a stronger economic union.” The European Union’s commissioner for economic 26/05/2010
Italy Italy facing stringent austerity cuts Italy has become the latest eurozone member to join the austerity club. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has announced a series of cuts aimed at 26/05/2010
World European bank tax to pay for future crises The European Commission has unveiled plans to tax banks to make them pay now for future crises. Michel Barnier, the European Union commissioner in 26/05/2010
Business Euro's slide has silver lining Fears of euro zone countries’ debt problems causing them to default have pushed the euro to a four year low against the dollar and down significantly 26/05/2010
Business Germans fret about euro zone crisis German consumer sentiment is likely to fall in June due to uncertainty over the euro zone crisis. That was the conclusion of the latest survey of 26/05/2010
Business OECD lifts global growth forecast The global economy is recovering faster than expected from recession with Asia leading the way, according to the Organisation for Economic 26/05/2010
brussels bureau More CO2 cuts in EU would be absurd says industry Europe’s Climate Commissioner has warned Europe to take notice of China’s performance in overtaking the EU in production for the renewable energy 26/05/2010
World Isotherapy: the cause is the cure Behind the old fashioned shop-front, amid rows of apothecary’s jars, there is a pharmacist in France whose preparations are something 26/05/2010
World Nas and Marley team up for reggae and rap New York rapper Nas has teamed up with Jamaican reggae artist Damian Marley for a new studio album that explores their African ancestry and the roots 26/05/2010
brussels bureau Politically shaken Belgium prepares to lead fiscally shaken EU Belgium is putting the finishing touches on its programme as EU president. It will take up the rotating position on 1 July amid uncertainty 26/05/2010
North Korea Pyongyang expels South Korean officials There are further signs of mounting tension between the two Koreas. Officials expelled from a joint industrial park in the North have returned to 26/05/2010
USA BP tries to "kill" the spill Underwater footage of the Gulf of Mexico oil leak shows the plume getting darker – suggesting heavier, more polluting oil, is pouring out. it comes 26/05/2010
Poland Germany prepares for floods Germany is bracing for the worst as rivers in the east of the country continue to rise. Officials have raised the disaster alert status up to 26/05/2010
no comment World Cup Fever in Bangladesh Bengali football fans wait for the Football World Cup in South Africa. 26/05/2010
USA Shuttle Atlantis makes final touchdown The final touchdown before going into retirement. It has been a smooth landing for the US space shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center in 26/05/2010
World Sahara Generation and Mazagan wow Mawazine The Mawazine festival in Rabat has been showcasing a wide variety of musical style and rhythm. Among the performers are Sahara Generation, founded 26/05/2010
no comment Gaza after Israeli air-strike Clearing up has got underway in the Gaza Strip, after a double Israeli air strike. 26/05/2010
Poland Poland hosts US missile battery US Patriot missiles have arrived in Poland as part of a deal to upgrade the NATO nations air defences. The surface to air battery manned by some 26/05/2010
Italy Angry reaction to Italy's austerity plans There has been an angry reaction to news of Italy’s planned austerity measures. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wants to slash the country’s budget 26/05/2010
Hungary Controversial Hungarian citizenship law passed A controversial new law on citizenship has been passed in Hungary, despite concern voiced in neighbouring countries. It will now be easier for more 26/05/2010
no comment Demonstration in South Korea South Korean civic groups hold both pro and anti-North Korea rallies as tensions rise on the Korean peninsula over a recent ship sinking. 26/05/2010
no comment Thailand: religious ceremony at a former-protest site Thousands of people attended a religious ceremony at a former-protest site in Bangkok on Wednesday (May 26), praying for the country’s good fortune 26/05/2010
Gaza Double Israeli air-strike hits Gaza Clearing up has got underway in the Gaza Strip, after a double Israeli air strike overnight. The worst damage is in Beit Hanoun, where 15 civilians 26/05/2010
South Korea US calls on N.Korea to halt "provocations" We have a duty to respond – those were the words from Hillary Clinton today during a visit to Seoul, amid rising tension over the sinking of a South 26/05/2010
no comment Thousands of people evacuated from homes in Poland Heavy rain has forced the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes along the Vistula river, which flows from the southern Tatra mountains 26/05/2010
no comment Parthenon restoration completed Tourists got a new look at the Parthenon in Athens as much of the scaffolding that has enveloped the temple for years was removed. 26/05/2010
no comment Oil spill threatens Singapore coast Emergency teams are scrambling to contain a 2,500 tonne oil spill into the waters between Malaysia and Singapore after two vessels collided in the 26/05/2010
Argentina Argentina remembers May Revolution Half a dozen Latin American presidents have gathered in Argentina to help the country mark an important moment in its history. Celebrations are 26/05/2010
Gaza Israeli air strikes on Gaza Israel has carried out overnight air strikes on the Gaza Strip. A disused airport in the south and a Hamas training camp in the north were hit 26/05/2010
USA BP to attempt tricky oil spill shutoff BP will carry on showing a live video feed as it makes another attempt to plug the gushing Gulf of Mexico oil well. Washington requested that the 26/05/2010