
One year after the tragic shipwreck off the island of Lampedusa in Italy, wars such as in Syria, protracted crises and chaos in Libya continue to push an unprecedented number of refugees to Europe.

With the agreement of Prime Minister David Cameron, the Foreign Secretary announced on Friday that Alex Younger has been appointed as successor to Sir John Sawers as Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. Alex will take up his appointment next month.

Next time you get into your car and drive to the supermarket, think about how much energy you consume on an annual basis. It is widely assumed that Westerners are some of the world's worst energy pigs. While Americans make up just 5% of the global population, they use 20% of its energy, eat 15% of its meat, and produce 40% of the earth's garbage.

Price cuts by key exporter Saudi Arabia helped send global crude prices to their lowest point in more than two years Thursday before they recovered in late trade.

The European Central Bank has kept its benchmark interest rate at 0.05% and given details of its asset purchase program announced last month. The bank's head Mario Draghi said it would start buying covered bonds this month and other assets in the final three months of the year. This would go on for two years.

The Falkland Islands Government’s stand at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham (28 September to 01 October) was extremely busy with visitors. Situated in a prime location, MLAs Jan Cheek and Ian Hansen and the Falkland Islands Government Representative, Sukey Cameron MBE, were able to meet with a large number of delegates, including MPs and Parliamentary Candidates.

The Bank of England has asked formally for new powers to prevent a housing boom and bust. Under the powers, the Bank would be able to limit how much people can borrow to buy a home, according to their financial circumstances.

Beijing's new ambassador before the Argentine government underlined the excellent relations between the two countries and reiterated China's support to Argentina in the issue of sovereign debt and claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands.

Gibraltar's football association has announced it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA rejected its bid to become a member. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the FA of Gibraltar cannot be accepted as a member of FIFA because it contravened the world governing body's statutes regarding independent territories.

Trade between Argentina and China could see a rise in Yuan-denominated operations after the bilateral currency swap deal that was sealed earlier this year, according to key leaders of the Sino-Argentine business community in Buenos Aires.