International

Thursday, May 14th 2015 - 08:02 UTC
Vatican formally recognizes the State of Palestine and signs first treaty

The Vatican concluded its first treaty that formally recognizes the State of Palestine, with an agreement on Catholic Church activities in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, the Holy See said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 13th 2015 - 08:14 UTC
Remittances to Latin America and Caribbean beat the 2008 pre-crisis record

Remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean set a new record high in 2014 with 65bn dollars basically supported by the recovery of the economy and labor market in the United States, according to the latest release from the Inter American Development Bank.
Wednesday, May 13th 2015 - 07:46 UTC
Asian countries in top five spots of OECD global schooling performance

The biggest global school rankings have been published, with Asian countries in the top five spots and African countries at the bottom. Singapore heads the table, followed by Hong Kong, with Ghana at the bottom. The UK is in 20th place, among higher achieving European countries, with the US in 28th.
Wednesday, May 13th 2015 - 07:00 UTC
Cameron puts pressure on Europe for major changes and revamped links

Prime Minister David Cameron will hold an early referendum on membership of the European Union if he can first reach a deal that satisfies his demands for major changes in Britain's relationship with the bloc, his spokesman said yesterday.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:25 UTC
Argentina reacts to hedge funds attempt to block a fresh debt emission

Argentina has launched a stinging attack on hedge funds attempting to block payment on last month's Bonar 24 debt issuance, stating that the petition shows the 'vulture funds' desperation following the successful auction.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:18 UTC
Hollande in Havana ratifies support for Cuba and an end to the US embargo

French President Francois Hollande has urged an end to the US trade embargo of Cuba and envisioned a larger French role in Cuba's engagement with the West during the first visit by a French head of state to Cuba. Havana is in foreign policy talks with both the European Union and the United States amid intense world interest in Cuba following detente with Washington in December.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:21 UTC
Castro praises Francis and promises “to turn to the Church again if the pope continues on this vein”

Cuban President Raul Castro has praised Pope Francis for brokering the restoration of relations between Cuba and the US, announced in December. At the end of a Sunday audience at the Vatican, Castro said he had thanked the Pope for his contribution for the historic rapprochement.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:08 UTC
China's cuts interest rates to reduce cost of borrowing and boost the economy

China's central bank announced Sunday it would cut interest rates by 25 basis points as authorities seek to boost the flagging economy following a raft of data indicating a slowdown. The benchmark one-year lending rate would be reduced to 5.1% and the deposit rate to 2.25% from Monday, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) said on its website.
Saturday, May 9th 2015 - 09:57 UTC
Argentina will file complaints against speculative funds in Belgium

Economy Minister Axel Kicillof confirmed the Argentine government will be filing a complaint against speculative or 'vulture' funds for seeking to seize the accounts of the Argentine embassy in Belgium, and the Argentine mission before the EU in Brussels, adding hedge funds are the most “despicable and repugnant” of the world financial system.
Saturday, May 9th 2015 - 09:23 UTC
PM Cameron confirms economic policy: names Osborne first secretary of state

Prime Minister David Cameron reappointed George Osborne as his finance minister on Friday and gave him a bigger cabinet role after Britain's economic recovery helped their party to an unexpectedly big election victory.