France and Algeria sign contracts

Sarkozy secures deals with China
French industrialists visiting China with President Nicolas Sarkozy finalise trade deals worth billions of euros.

US carmakers in new bail-out plea
US carmakers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler will present their new cost-cutting plans to Congress.

EU wants banks to boost lending
The EU competition commissioner says she expects banks that receive state aid to promise to lend to the real economy.

BA is in merger talks with Qantas
British Airways announces that it is exploring a potential merger with the Australian flag-carrier Qantas Airways.

California 'faces budget crisis'
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declares a fiscal emergency, ordering lawmakers to fix a huge budget gap.