Medvedev plans drink-driving crackdown

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has announced a zero tolerance policy on drink-driving - a major cause of death among Russian men.

"I believe that consuming alcohol before driving should be banned," he said, speaking live on Russian TV.

"I will make corresponding amendments to the law."

Heavy drinking and related traffic accidents are seen as one of the main reasons why one in three Russian men dies before retirement age.

In a wide-ranging end-of-year interview, Mr Medvedev said "we are not ready yet for allowing consumption of alcohol - even small, limited amounts of it - before driving."

"We are not very accurate drivers as it is, and after a glass people completely lose their heads. Besides, we do know how people (in Russia) usually drink: a glass at first - that is allowed now, isn't it? - then two, and three, and finally 'okay, let's roll'.

Google's Admob plans scrutinised by US regulator

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has asked for more information about Google's plans to buy Admob, a company specialising in ads for small screens.

The search engine giant said last month that it hoped to buy the Silicon Valley start-up for $750m (£449m) in stocks.

Google's group product manager Paul Feng wrote in a blog post that the company "doesn't see any regulatory issues" with the proposed deal.

He admitted that the scrutiny meant the deal would not be closed immediately.

It took months for the FTC to approve Google's earlier purchase of another internet advert company, DoubleClick.

"Closer scrutiny has been one consequence of Google's success," added Mr Feng.

Admob was founded four years ago and sells adverts designed to run on mobile phones.

Airlines hit back at US criticism of tie-up plans

American Airlines has hit back at a US Justice Department report that says its tie-up with British Airways and Iberia could lead to 'competitive harm'.

In papers filed this week, the Justice Department said fares between six transatlantic routes "could increase up to 15% under the proposed agreements."

The report advised removing some of the carriers' take-off and landing slots.

American Airlines said it disagreed with the report and believed the deal would be approved.

"American looks forward to rebutting the points made," the airline said.

British Airways also said it would "be making a robust response" to the Justice Department's comments.

Competition

The airlines want to operate as a joint business, called the Oneworld alliance, on flights between Europe and the US.

The Department of Justice wants the Department of Transportation to impose conditions to protect competition.

The report notes that "American and Iberia are the only current non-stop competitors between Miami and Madrid."

Fares between Boston and London, Chicago and London, Dallas and London, Miami and London, Miami and Madrid, and New York and London could be affected.

The routes in question serve 2.5 million passengers a year.