Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that will ban smoking in most public places and restrict cigarette sales in the world's second-largest tobacco market after China. The law will ban smoking in some public places such as subways and schools from June 1, and come into force a year later in other places
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The yen hit a 33-month low against the dollar on reports that a strong supporter of aggressive monetary easing is likely to head the Bank of Japan, while Italian assets gained as markets await the outcome of national elections. Britain's pound also slumped against the dollar, hitting a 2-1/2 year low, following Moody's downgrade of
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Polls in Italy opened for the second and final day of voting on Monday, with a surge in protest votes increasing fears of an unclear outcome that could hamper economic reforms. "I'm sick of the scandals and the stealing," said Paolo Gentile, a 49-year-old lawyer from Rome who said he had voted for the 5-Star
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A group of topless women were dragged away by police on Sunday when they protested against former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi as he voted in Italy's election. The protesters, from the Ukrainian women's rights group Femen, shouted "Basta (Enough) Berlusconi", as the media tycoon was voting in a polling station in a Milan school. The
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Associated British Foods forecast first half results ahead of its expectations at the start of the year, driven by the performance of its Primark discount fashion chain. The firm said on Monday adjusted operating profit for the half to March 2 will be higher than the previous year, with earnings per share "substantially ahead". AB
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BlackBerry launched its first smartphone from its BlackBerry 10 line in India on Monday, pricing the phone at 43,490 rupees ($800). The touch-screen BlackBerry Z10 phone, which goes on sale in India from Tuesday, will compete with Apple Inc's iPhones and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's high-end Galaxy series phones. The Z10 has already gone on
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Time Warner's Warner Bros. basked in the golden glow of coveted Best Picture Oscar for its Iran hostage drama "Argo" on Sunday, giving the Ben Affleck film a likely boost for its ticket and home entertainment sales. Hollywood's big night often proves a boon to studios that take home Oscars, and this year the haul
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Israel carried out a successful test of its upgraded, ballistic Arrow missile interceptor on Monday, the Israeli Defence Ministry said in a statement. The U.S.-backed Arrow missile is designed to shoot down incoming missiles at altitudes high enough to allow for any non-conventional warheads to disintegrate safely. The test was of a new generation Arrow
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Asian shares edged higher on Monday but uncertainty facing the global economy capped prices as a private survey showed Chinese manufacturing contracted this month from two-year highs. European markets are seen rising, with financial spreadbetters predicting London's FTSE 100, Paris's CAC-40 and Frankfurt's DAX would open as much as 0.4% higher. U.S. stock futures were
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Opposition leader Nicos Anastasiades was elected the seventh president of Cyprus in a landslide victory on Sunday and pledged to sign a bailout agreement with international lenders in a way that will safeguard vulnerable groups and social cohesion and bring peaceful labour relations. Noting that he will restore Cyprus’ credibility in the European and international
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