International
InternationalChina's main soy-bean importers in concerted action to bring prices down
Chinese buyers may default on a further 1.2 million tons of soybeans worth about 900 million dollars being shipped from the United States and South America, to avoid incurring huge losses in a depressed local market, the country’s top soy buyer said.
Gibraltar blackout on Sunday afternoon as fire breaks out in main power station
A fire in the Waterport power station left most of Gibraltar without electricity on Sunday afternoon, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle. Police urged residents in the area to close their windows as thick black smoke billowed from the power station, though no one was injured in the incident.
New Zealand gets tough on working conditions for crews on board foreign chartered fishing vessels
A fisheries amendment bill that has passed its second reading in Parliament sets that fishing companies can use foreign charter vessels only if they are flying the New Zealand flag and obey New Zealand laws. The legislation came from a ministerial inquiry led by minister Paul Swain, following serious allegations of mistreatment of crew on foreign chartered vessels.
Yuan is 'significantly undervalued' US Treasury tells China
United States has told China its currency must be allowed to rise if it and the global economy are to see stable growth. The US Treasury's twice-yearly report to policymakers says the Yuan is “significantly undervalued”.
China's economy expands 7.4% in first quarter and retail sales in March 12.2%
China's economy expanded by 7.4% in the first quarter of the year, better than what many were expecting, but it is a slowdown from 7.7% growth in the final quarter of last year. Other data released with the gross domestic product (GDP) figure showed industrial output rising 8.8% in March from one year ago.
For third consecutive month UK inflation stands below the 2% target rate
The UK inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) fell to 1.6% in March from 1.7% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is the third consecutive month inflation has been below the Bank of England's 2% target rate, and the lowest rate since October 2009.
Ukraine falling to economic warfare and its own missteps
As protests in Ukraine's eastern region turned violent on Sunday leading to the death of a Ukrainian security officer in a shootout with pro-Russian militia, Kiev threatens military action while Moscow flexes its geo-economic warfare muscles.
Spanish government vessels incursions into Gibraltar waters reach 600
Spanish government vessels have unlawfully entered British territorial waters around Gibraltar more than 600 times since the start of 2013, according to official figures. There were 496 incursions in 2013 and 112 in the first three months of 2014, the figures disclosed by Foreign Secretary William Hague revealed.
Mercosur proposal to present the EU expected to be ready by end of April
Argentine cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich confirmed on Tuesday 'significant advances' in the elaboration of Mercosur's joint proposal to exchange with the European Union for discussions on a much delayed wide ranging cooperation and trade agreement.
European central bank considering 'further stimulus' if inflation remains low
European Central Bank (ECB) has said it will provide “further stimulus” to the Euro zone economy if inflation in the bloc continues to remain low. Mario Draghi, said a stronger Euro would act as a trigger to looser monetary policy.
