Top French court approves 75% company tax on high salaries
France's top court Sunday approved a proposal for companies to pay 75 percent tax on annual salaries exceeding one million euros in line with President Francois Hollande's drive to limit executive pay at a time of economic hardship.
30 December 2013
Obama signs defense, budget bills into law
President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday the compromise US budget bill recently negotiated by feuding lawmakers and a massive defense measure that takes a step toward ultimate closure of Guantanamo.
Japan OKs record budget, sees deflation threat recede
Japan approved its biggest ever budget Tuesday, as an improving economy and a sales tax hike made room for more defence spending and the first step towards achieving a balanced budget.
EU banking union too complicated, too slow: analysts
An EU system to prevent a repeat of the massive bank bailouts which crippled the economy is a major step but it is also too complicated when speed is absolutely essential, analysts said.
23 December 2013
Tourists to spend $10 billion during Brazil World Cup
Foreign and Brazilian tourists are expected to spend $10.4 billion during next year's World Cup, more than the public funds invested for staging the event, the Brazilian tourism board said Friday.
Spaniards bet on slimmed-down 'Fat One' Christmas jackpot
Spaniards are digging into their pockets to gamble on their beloved "Fat One" Christmas lottery with the world's richest total payout, but winners will get slimmed-down prizes this year as a new austerity tax takes a bite.
Living wage to be raised in Kazakhstan in 2017
After the controversy around the minimum living wage is Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Tamara Duisenova promised to raise the living wage in 2017.
18 December 2013
Eurozone ministers make progress on Banking Union
Eurozone finance ministers said early Wednesday they had made progress on a new bank regulatory system, especially on the funding of a mechanism to close failing banks before they damage the economy.
18 December 2013
National Bank issues new 1000 tenge
A new 1000 tenge bill was issued and put into circulation by the National Bank of Kazakhstan on December 12, 2013.
Japan to pledge $20 bn aid to ASEAN: reports
Japan will pledge $20 billion in aid to Southeast Asian countries at a 11-nation summit this weekend as it looks to shore-up ties in a region increasingly dominated by China, reports said Friday.