Russia shuts off gas to Ukraine
January 1, 2009
Much of the EU
Russia has stopped all gas supplies to Ukraine after the collapse of talks to end a row over unpaid bills and prices.
Pakistan suspends Afghan supplies
December 30, 2008
There has been a spate of attacks on supplies to Afghanistan
Pakistan has blocked a key supply route to US and Nato forces in Afghanistan in order to begin an offensive against militants, officials say.
US offers $6bn bail-out for GMAC
December 30, 2008
GM says that GMAC
The US Treasury has unveiled a $6bn (£4.1bn) rescue package for GMAC - General Motors’ troubled car loan arm, co-owned by Chrysler’s owner, Cerberus.
Ghana opposition claims poll win
December 30, 2008
John Atta Mills (l) says he has defeated Nana Akufo-Addo (r)
Opposition candidate John Atta Mills says he has won Ghana’s election run-off, with official results expected to be released shortly.
Exiles get Spain passport chance
December 28, 2008
The war split up families and scattered Spaniards far and wide
About 500,000 people whose families had to flee Spain during the civil war and the subsequent Franco era now have the right to apply for Spanish citizenship.
Ghanaians vote for new president
December 28, 2008
A big oil discovery has raised the stakes for the race
People in Ghana have begun voting in the presidential run-off after the 7 December election failed to produce an outright winner.
Bomber targets Sri Lankan capital
December 28, 2008
At least 70,000 people have been killed in the 25-year conflict
A suicide bombing in Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, has killed at least five members of the paramilitary civil defence force, military officials said.
Zimbabwe child malnutrition rises
December 27, 2008
Some five million Zimbabwean rely on food aid, the aid agency says
Acute child malnutrition in parts of Zimbabwe has increased by almost two-thirds compared with last year, aid agency Save the Children says.
Guinea junta seeks to woo envoys
December 27, 2008
Capt Moussa Dadis Camara, who ran the army fuel depot, led the coup
Guinea’s new military junta is to hold talks with foreign envoys shortly to explain their take-over and “reassure the international community”.
Cocoa prices hit a 23-year-high
December 24, 2008
Demand for cocoa is holding up well despite the downturn
London cocoa futures have hit a 23-year-high as cocoa turned out to be the most lucrative commodity in 2008.