Shares in GM touch a 20-year low

General Motors sees its shares touch a 20-year low as it continues to struggle against falling sales.

Death threats cut Iraq oil flow

Iraq's largest oil refinery is shut down at a cost of $20m a day after death threats to tanker drivers.

Yanks close on Cairo, seal Dotel deal

Infielder Miguel Cairo is headed back to the Bronx, and he'll be joining veteran reliever Octavio Dotel at Yankee Stadium in 2006.

Iran committed to India gas deal

Iran says it is committed to a gas pipeline project with India and Pakistan, despite US disapproval.

Hilton hotels businesses reunited

The Hilton hotels brand is reunited as UK-based Hilton Group sells its outlets to US firm Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Disneyland Paris workers protest

Hundreds of workers at Disneyland Resort Paris protest at not being paid a bonus for 2005.

Putin admits Ukraine gas ‘crisis’

Russia's President Putin admits that a dispute with Ukraine about the cost of gas imports has turned into a crisis.

Zimbabwe food prices ‘up 10-fold’

The cost of buying groceries in Zimbabwe rose 10-fold in 2005, says an independent consumer group.

India clears regional free trade

India clears a trade pact to promote free trade and economic ties between South Asian countries.

Italy chooses successor to Fazio

Mario Draghi is chosen as the new governor of the Bank of Italy replacing Antonio Fazio who resigned this month.

Distillers toast market expansion

Scotland's traditional whisky distilling skills are now being used to produce spirits usually associated with England.

Sites exploit Windows image flaw

Computer users are being alerted to a flaw in Microsoft Windows which can use image files to attack a PC.

Chinese firms ‘exploiting staff’

More than 80% of private firms in China frequently violate employees' rights, a government survey says.

US CD album sales show 7% slide

CD album sales dip 7% in the US for 2005, but music downloads more than double, say official figures.

Gender gap alive and well online

Men like the new things on the net but women use it to maintain social ties, a US study finds.