UK Banks May Launch Large Small Biz Fund | SmallBusinessNewz

A very large investment fund, created by a number of important banks for the sole purpose of providing loans to small businesses, may be on the way. Rumor has it UK banks could even launch the fund next week.

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Diarrhea outbreak kills nearly 50 in central Haiti

(Reuters) - An outbreak of severe diarrhea in central Haiti has killed nearly 50 people in recent days and more than 450 have been hospitalized, a senior Haitian health official said on Thursday.

Activity detected at North Korea nuclear test site

A satellite image of Yongbyon, North Korea, released by DigitalGlobe in May 2009.
Credit: Reuters/DigitalGlobe/Handout
By Jeremy Laurence
SEOUL | Thu Oct 21, 2010 8:30am EDT
SEOUL (Reuters) - A U.S. satellite has detected increased activity at a North Korean nuclear weapons test site, suggesting it could be preparing for a third test, a South Korean government source was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Spanish smoking ban goes into effect

MADRID, Spain — Spanish smokers faced a wrenching change New Year’s Day as a nationwide ban on tobacco in the workplace came into force in a country known for its smoky bars.

It became illegal to smoke in office buildings, shopping malls, cultural centers and public transportation, among other indoor spaces. Bars and restaurants with more than 1,100 square feet of floor space now must have nonsmoking areas, the first step in a process that will eventually require the areas to be physically sealed off from the rest of the establishment.

Appeals court stays ruling on gays in military

By Peter Henderson
SAN FRANCISCO | Thu Oct 21, 2010 3:49am EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that the Pentagon may temporarily reinstate a ban on openly gay men and women in uniform while a lengthier stay in favor of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is considered.

Afghan peace council to offer concessions to Taliban

By Sayed Salahuddin
KABUL | Thu Oct 21, 2010 1:19pm EDT
KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's new peace council said on Thursday it would be willing to make concessions to bring insurgents to the negotiating table, and called for Saudi Arabia's help in mediating peace talks.

French unions call two more days of protests

A French high school student shouts slogans during a demonstration over pension reform in Paris October 21, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Charles Platiau

 
France inflamed but Sarkozy firm (02:05) Report

PARIS | Thu Oct 21, 2010 1:14pm EDT

PARIS (Reuters) - France's main unions called for two more days of protests against a government pension reform bill that is due for a final vote in the Senate this week.
Protests would take place on October 28 and November 6, they said.
(Reporting by Jean Baptiste Vey; Editing by Peter Graff)

Thousands of Germans opt out of Google Street View

Protests have greeted Google's Street View camera cars in Germany
Almost 250,000 Germans have told Google to blur pictures of their homes on the Street View service.

Money Morning Mailbag: When Investing in Precious Metals, 'Physical Metal' Isn't Always Better

By Jack Barnes, Contributing Editor, Money Morning

If there's one thing that I've discovered in my careers as a hedge-fund manager, investment advisor and financial columnist, it's this: Whenever you pitch a stock that has something to do with mining or metals, you'll always hear the argument that "physical metal is better."