International

• Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  UN approves extension of human rights protection

  The top United Nations human rights official has hailed the adoption of a new legal instrument which will enable people to submit complaints on violations of their economic, social and cultural rights to an international human rights body.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Relief in the EU: British Parliament passes Lisbon treaty

  British Parliament has effectively ratified the EU Lisbon reform treaty despite the recent decision by Irish voters to reject it. A last-ditch Tory bid to delay the process for four months was defeated by a margin of 93, and peers later gave the EU Amendment Bill a third reading.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Quarter point hike in Euro rate almost certain next July

  European Central Bank Executive Board member Juergen Stark said the acceleration in Euro zone inflation to 3.7% in May, the highest rate recorded since the launch of the Euro is a cause for alarm.

• Wednesday, June 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  EU approves tough rules for expelling illegal immigrants

  The European Parliament adopted on Wednesday tough rules on expelling illegal immigrants, which could see them held in custody for up to 18 months and banned for five years if they resist. 367 members of the European Parliament voted in favor of the bill and 206 MEPs opposed it, while 109 members abstained.

• Tuesday, June 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Bank of England and Chancellor confirm higher UK inflation

  Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has warned that inflation could rise above 4% this year as oil and energy prices soar. In an open letter to the Chancellor after official inflation hit 3.3%, Mr King said he had revised previous forecasts upwards due to a 15% rise in oil prices during the past month and the prospect of higher gas and electricity bills.

• Tuesday, June 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Greater regulation for “speculation” in US and UK oil futures

  The United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission and its United Kingdom counterpart reached a deal with ICE Futures Europe to impose regulations on West Texas Intermediate oil contracts that trade on the London-based electronic exchange within 120 days, CFTC chairman told the US Senate.

• Monday, June 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Germany unveils robot for 6.000 meters sea deep work

  The Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences from the University of Kiel unveiled on Monday a new sub aquatic robot, ROV Kiel-6000, Remotely Operated Vehicle which can descend to 6.000 meters below sea level.

• Monday, June 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Eurozone inflation in May at its highest since 1996

  

  Inflation in the Eurozone has a climbed to a record level amid higher food and fuel costs, official figures show. The annual rate of inflation in the 15 state zone hit 3.7% in May, according to the Eurostat statistical office.

• Monday, June 16th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Controversy over pesticides ahead of EU ministers summit

  Greenpeace on Monday stepped up calls for European Union governments to approve long-stalled proposals to control the use of pesticides. The call follows the publishing of a ranking of the main manufacturers of pesticides, based on risks to human beings and the environment.

• Sunday, June 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  The Group of Eight (G8) concludes no quick fix for oil prices

  There are no quick fixes to soaring oil and food prices, Group of Eight finance ministers concluded on Saturday, although disagreements emerged about the role that speculators were playing in exacerbating price rises.