International

Monday, October 3rd 2016 - 07:54 UTC
Yuan becomes global reserve currency but China will have to relax capital controls and the exchange rate

The Chinese currency Yuan entered a new phase in its journey to become more important to the world economy: starting on Saturday the Yuan is officially a member of the International Monetary Fund’s basket of global reserve currencies. Together, this group of currencies, known as Special Drawing Rights (SDR), forms a kind of pseudo-currency—used only by the IMF—to supplement countries’ official reserves.
Monday, October 3rd 2016 - 07:03 UTC
PM May announces Brexit process should be over by 2019 with strong limits on immigration policy

Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday that Britain would begin the process of withdrawing from the European Union by the end of March and suggested that she would seek a clean break that makes limits on immigration a priority.
Saturday, October 1st 2016 - 19:35 UTC
Cruise industry booming in Australia, the fourth largest source market

Australia will welcome an unprecedented number of cruise ships this summer, with more than 40 vessels sailing in local waters - including eight ships making their maiden visit over the next few months. Among the flotilla will be the largest ship to visit Australia, Royal Caribbean’s 167,000-ton Ovation of the Seas, as well as the youngest and most luxurious ship ever to cruise Oceania waters, the boutique Seabourn Encore, which will arrive two weeks after it is officially named in Singapore.
Friday, September 30th 2016 - 15:00 UTC
Where will oil prices go after Algiers?

Saudi Arabia and Iran may yet come to terms on some sort of production arrangement, but the outcome of the negotiations in Algeria this week may not do much to rescue oil prices. Following the media spectacle, the oil markets may have to shift their attention back to the supply and demand fundamentals, which are not reassuring
Friday, September 30th 2016 - 10:57 UTC
Gibraltar border must be central to any Brexit agreement, says MEP Ashley Fox

The Conservative Leader and Gibraltar MEP Ashley Fox is to tell the new Secretary for Exiting the European Union that Gibraltar and its border with Spain must be central to any new agreement with the EU.
Friday, September 30th 2016 - 07:35 UTC
UN human rights chief reaffirms ongoing collaboration with Colombia peace accord

Speaking to the media just days after the signing of the historic peace agreement in Colombia and ahead of the 2 October national poll in which Colombians will have their say on the accord, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated that his Office (OHCHR) will continue to follow the progress of the human rights aspects of the agreement.
Thursday, September 29th 2016 - 20:08 UTC
London dismisses bilateral dialogue over Gibraltar; “UK's position on sovereignty remains unchanged”

Britain has dismissed a formal Spanish request for bilateral dialogue over Gibraltar, the Gibraltar Chronicle has published. A letter from acting Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo was handed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by a senior official from the Spanish embassy in London on September 20.
Thursday, September 29th 2016 - 12:33 UTC
Catalonia challenges Madrid and will hold an independence referendum next year

Catalonia is to hold a referendum on independence in a year’s time in a move that will infuriate Madrid but which should also return power to the pro-indy campaign in the regional assembly. President Carles Puigdemont told the Catalan Parliament yesterday: “We will look for an agreement (with central government) until the very end, we will at every moment work with the will to hold a referendum in agreement with the state.
Thursday, September 29th 2016 - 12:18 UTC
Labour fully backs Gibraltar's self determination, says shadow foreign secretary

Britain's Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry has said the Labour Party fully backs the Self Determination of the People of Gibraltar, and the Rock must continue to enjoy the benefits from its membership of the EU.
Thursday, September 29th 2016 - 10:31 UTC
Falklands' sovereignty talks, end objective of non binding joint statement, Argentine congress is told

The 13th September joint statement between Argentina and the UK is a new bilateral convergence of common interests and the possibility, in the framework of a new dialogue and cooperation, of sovereignty discussions resumption on the Malvinas, South Georgia, South Sandwich islands and adjoining maritime spaces question, Argentine Deputy foreign minister Carlos Foradori told the Lower House Foreign Affairs committee during a summons on Wednesday.