World in Brief

 

Minister’s push for Tesco and Wal-Mart

INDIA: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has called on all political parties to allow the government to bring major foreign retailers such as Wal-Mart and Tesco into the country.

He claimed that investments by big retailers would benefit consumers by giving better prices.

Small shopkeepers across India went on strike on Thursday and shouting opposition lawmakers shut down Parliament every day this week with protests.

World Bank gives thumbs up for loan

HAITI: The World Bank approved plans today to spend $255 million (£162m) to help house Haitians, clean up neighbourhoods and send thousands of children to school over the next year.

The funds give hope that reconstruction after the January 2010 earthquake will move along even though a recovery panel to co-ordinate efforts dissolved in October.

Thousands more sign on for benefits

SPAIN: The Labour Ministry said today that the number of people filing for unemployment benefits rose by 59,536 in November.

The increase raised the total seeking benefits to 4,420,462.

Spain’s jobless rate stands at a 15-year high of 21.5 per cent and the economy posted zero growth in the third quarter.

Obama urged to reject pipeline bid

US: Native American tribal leaders are asking President Barack Obama to reject a permit for a proposed oil pipeline from Canada to refineries in Texas.

Ogalala Sioux Tribe President John Steele says his tribe fears toxic substances from the pipeline will contaminate a Missouri River water pipeline that provides three reservations with potable water.

Vienna to stop hosting ‘nazi’ ball

AUSTRIA: Officials at Vienna’s Hofburg palace say a ball that draws nazi sympathisers will have to be staged elsewhere as of 2013.

The palace said it will host the far-right group one last time in January because contractual obligations must be honoured.

Doctors sent in as over 1,000 resign

SLOVAKIA: The Czech government has deployed 30 army doctors to Slovak hospitals after more than a thousand local physicians resigned over low pay.

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