World’s third largest supermarket chain is among a pack of more than 10 bidders in the first round of an auction for the south-east Asian assets of Carrefour, the French retailer

Corporates argued forcing them to process OTC derivatives trades through clearing houses would cause a huge drain on cash, possibly hurting European economic growth prospects

William Hague issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon rejecting rumours about his sexuality as a special adviser resigned over “untrue and malicious” allegations about the two men

Manufacturing in China rebounded last month and remained strong in India according to new business surveys, even if other parts of Asia showed signs of slackening demand

Private-sector employment in the US fell for the first time this year in August, underscoring fears that a recovery in the labour market is faltering, but a surprise rise in manufacturing activity offered a glimmer of hope for the sputtering economy

Robert Gates, US defence secretary, has said America’s war in Iraq is over and that the US has moved into the final phase of its engagement in the country

The Paris mansion of Liliane Bettencourt, France’s richest woman has been raided by police in the latest twist in a family row that has escalated into a political scandal

Jewish settler groups plan to resume building in settlements across the occupied West Bank at 6pm, in defiance of a partial construction moratorium imposed by the government

India’s aspiration for glory as the host of the upcoming Commonwealth Games is facing a new threat with a serious outbreak of dengue fever in New Delhi

Tony Blair claims Gordon Brown lost the election because he abandoned New Labour and lost the support of business, in memoirs that give an implicit endorsement of David Miliband as the party’s future leader