Germany impounds Thai royal jet over debt

13 July 2011 Last updated at 14:34 GMT Bailiffs have sealed the plane at Munich airport German administrators have impounded a jet used by Thailand's Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, in a dispute over an unpaid debt from 20 years ago.

The administrators say Thailand's government has refused to pay a bill of more than 30m euros (?26m; $43m) to a now-defunct German construction firm.

The Boeing 737 was seized by court order, and will remain grounded, said a spokesman for Munich airport.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry said the seizure was "highly inappropriate".

"The Thai authorities have expressed to the German government its great concern over the incident and have requested it to resolve the problem as soon as possible," ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi told Reuters news agency.

But Walter Schneider, the administrator for the now-bankrupt construction firm, said the "drastic measure" was "virtually the last resort".

"The Thai government always stalled and did not respond to our demands," he said.

The German firm was part of a consortium that helped to build a toll road between Bangkok and Don Muang airport.

The Thais claim a court decision is still pending on the debt, but the German administrators say the matter has already been decided.

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Royal couple sail to Quebec City

3 July 2011 Last updated at 08:30 GMT The royals were heckled by a small group of protesters when they went to a children's hospital in Montreal

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on board a Canadian naval ship, travelling from Montreal to Quebec City, on the latest leg of their first overseas tour as a married couple.

Overnight they sailed up the St Lawrence river to the city, where they are due to visit a youth project and attend a military ceremony.

In Montreal about 60 protesters heckled the couple outside a hospital.

There was also a much larger number of well-wishers.

Canadian barbecue

The Duke and Duchess' agenda for Sunday also involves morning prayers with the crew of the Canadian frigate on which they are travelling, HMCS Montreal, on the ship's helicopter deck.

The military ceremony in Quebec City will honour the Royal 22nd Regiment of Canada, as well as a Freedom of the City Ceremony, at Quebec City Hall.

The couple will also attend a community event, including barbecues and stalls, before a short flight to Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island is the most easterly point of the tour, and is known as the home of Anne of Green Gables - a fictional character said to be a favourite of the duchess.

Continue reading the main story 30 June: Arrival in Ottawa1 July: Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa2 July: Visit to a Montreal cookery school 3 July: Freedom of the city ceremony in Quebec City4 July: William takes part in Sea King helicopter training session on Prince Edward Island5 July: Visit to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories7 July: Arrival in Calgary8 July: Attend Calgary Stampede. Leave for USThe official welcome to Prince Edward Island is on Monday, and the Canadian government expects their visit may be a focal point for many well-wishers from across the Maritimes provinces, Clarence House said earlier.

On Monday, still on Prince Edward Island, Prince William will take part in a Sea King helicopter training session.

A dragon boat race is scheduled for later, with the husband and wife steering opposing teams.

Their first overseas tour has involved a tree-planting ceremony in the grounds of Government House, in Ottawa; a Montreal children's hospital visit; and a citizenship ceremony for 25 new Canadians who had come from 12 different countries.

They were also guests of honour for celebrations for Canada Day, when about 100,000 people joined events on Parliament Hill as part of a national holiday to mark the country's 144th birthday.

The protesters outside the hospital the couple visited in Montreal shouted "down with the monarchy" and "We will never bend, Willy go home!"

They also chanted "French Quebec!" and "Parasite go home!"

The couple are visiting seven Canadian cities in eight days in their first official overseas tour.

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Royal wedding boosts retail sales

19 May 2011 Last updated at 14:38 GMT The royal wedding gave people an extra day in which to shop UK retail sales rose by more than expected in April, boosted by the extra public holiday for the royal wedding, and the warm weather.

Sales last month were 1.1% higher than March, said the Office for National Statistics. Demand rose most for clothing, footwear and food products.

It was the biggest rise in retail sales for April since 2002.

But economists warn the big rise in sales is likely to be a one-off, and that consumer spending remains muted.

Weaker May?

Analysts were prepared for the extra public holiday to give retail sales a boost last month, but expected them to rise by only 0.8%.

George Buckley of Deutsche Bank said: "On the face of it they are stronger numbers. It's looking a little better, but I suspect we will get some pay-back in May."

April was the warmest on record in the UK, and this appears to have lifted sales of clothing and footwear, which rose by 3.2% as people bought summer items. Food sales were up 2.2%.

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The strong retail sales figures for April strengthen hopes that the economy has continued to grow in the second quarter of the year”

End Quote David Kern BRC chief economist Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, also said the April figures should be treated with caution.

"While welcome, we strongly doubt that the 1.1% jump in retail sales volumes in April is a sign that the consumer is roaring back to life," he said.

"Rather, what it suggests is that pressurised consumers need a particularly favourable set of circumstances to part with their cash."

Last week, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) also said that the warm weather and extra public holiday had boosted sales in April, which it reported had risen 5.2% on a like-for-like basis.

The BRC said champagne and garden furniture were among the items most in demand as the nation celebrated the royal wedding and enjoyed the sunshine.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the latest official retail figures were "encouraging".

BCC chief economist David Kern added: "The strong retail sales figures for April strengthen hopes that the economy has continued to grow in the second quarter of the year."

A separate report by the CBI business organisation said that growth in British factory orders had accelerated more than expected in May.

The CBI's monthly industrial trends survey also found that the level of inflation faced by factories had eased to its lowest level since December of last year.

However, the latest figures from the UK car industry show that it has been affected by a reduction in the supply of parts caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said production in April was 7% lower than a year earlier.

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