Barack Obama's administration yesterday took its first concrete step towards regulating greenhouse gas emissions by declaring carbon dioxide a danger to human health and welfare.

It clears the way for the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate CO 2 emissions under existing air pollution laws, without the need for fresh legislation.

For the Group of Eight ministers of agriculture meeting for the first time on Saturday there will be no greater example of the dilemma faced in feeding a growing population than China.

A US-French joint venture plans to build North America's first lithium-ion battery cell plant as part of a belated drive by the US public and private sectors to close the competitive gap with Asian electric-car technology.

Saudi Arabia is putting $800m into a new public company that will invest in overseas agricultural projects.

The move signals a large step-up in Riyadh

India has thrown down the gauntlet to developed nations in the latest round of climate change talks, saying the developing world wants to see pledges of cash before it is prepared to discuss emissions curbs.

Japan is expected to restart the world

Businesses must not sink money into high-carbon infrastructure unless they are willing to lose their investments within a few years, the US lead negotiator on climate change has warned.

The world faces a permanent food crisis and global instability unless countries act now to feed a surging population by doubling agricultural output, a report drafted for ministers of the Group of Eight nations has warned.

Despite New Delhi's self-reliant public stance, India receives almost twice as much development assistance for water and sanitation as any other country, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Rescue workers with heavy lifting gear were struggling on Tuesday to find survivors after Italy