Marriott International has agreed to buy Starwood Hotels and Resorts in a $12.2 billion deal that will make it the largest hotel chain in the world. The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved a merger agreement, Marriott announced this morning. The combined companies will operate or franchise more than 5,500 hotels with 1.1 million rooms worldwide. About 35% of the properties are outside the USA.
Argentina signed two nuclear power plant construction deals with China on Sunday worth around US$15 billion, which would add 1,750 megawatts to the energy already produced by the country's three nuclear power plants.
Russian President Vladimir Putin dropped a bombshell when he alleged that the dreaded Islamic State (ISIS) is being funded by 40 countries including some members of the G20 countries.
In the wake of the Paris horrific coordinated attacks, leaders from the world's top economies ended on Monday a two-day summit at a resort in Turkey with a vow to step up the fight against terrorism. The attacks that left 132 people dead and hundreds of injured shrouded the nine hours of formal talks that were already set to include discussions of terrorism and a refugee crisis stemming from the mass exodus of people from war-torn Syria.
Euro 2016 will remain in France, UEFA has announced. The country’s hosting of the tournament has come under scrutiny since Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, which killed 129 people with many more seriously injured. France’s 1958 World Cup star Just Fontaine was one prominent figure to call on the country to give up hosting rights, claiming: “It is simply too dangerous”.
Flags fly at half-mast on Whitehall government buildings as the United Kingdom observed a minute's silence on Monday 16 November 2015. The minute's silence was held across Europe at 11am (UK time), in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the series of terrorist attacks in Paris, France.
Following requests from a number of members of the public to assess the possibility of assisting with the European refugee crisis, the Falkland Islands government, FIG, has reviewed with HMG the options to take part in their resettlement scheme.
The World Health Organization is marking World Diabetes Day on 14th November calling for greater action to turn the growing tide of the global diabetes epidemic and has announced that World Health Day, on 7 April will focus on the issue of diabetes.
France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after at least 150 people were killed in a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris. Eighty people were reported killed after gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall and took dozens hostage. The siege ended when security forces stormed the building.
Oil prices were testing fresh lows on Thursday, with a report that 100 million barrels of crude and heavy oil products are being held in ships at sea. West Texas Intermediate oil, the main North American contract, fell below $42 US a barrel, amid predictions that it would fall to the $20-30 level next year.