. Japan needs fiscal reform targets to tackle its massive debt but existing goals heavily influenced by bureaucrats should be reviewed, said an aide to the ruling party powerbroker challenging Prime Minister
. By Dave Graham, Reuters German central banker Thilo Sarrazin has divided public opinion with remarks about Muslim immigrants and comments about the genetic make-up of Jews, prompting calls for him to
. Sweden's centre-right coalition government, seeking a new four-year term in an election next month, has pledged tax cuts for pensioners and more health spending. The centre-right Alliance bloc, led by the Moderate
. The EU foreign affairs chief will urge EU states next month to back trade concessions for Pakistan as worries grow about the impact of devastating floods on the stability of its
. With elections looming in many African countries, banks are likely to feel increasing political heat to cut sky-high lending costs but are unlikely to unleash growth-boosting cheap credit into their economies.
. Investors other than ordinary shareholders would take a loss before banks are bailed out by taxpayers or fail under a new proposal from the Basel Committee of global banking regulators. The
. The Russian drought has intensified a debate about food security in a warming world and helped frame a multi-billion-dollar takeover bid for fertiliser company Potash Corp as a bet on rising
. Deep cuts in funding for top British athletes are likely to be delayed until the London 2012 Olympics are over to avoid damaging the country's hopes of a rich medal haul.
. New EU rules to boost insurers' financial strength will spur more issues of securities tied to natural disasters and peak mortality risks as the sector moves onto even safer footing, Swiss
. China's richest citizens are even wealthier than the statistics suggest, and may hold as much as 9.3 trln yuan ($1.4 trln) of hidden assets, according to a Credit Suisse-sponsored study by
