International

Sunday, January 4th 2015 - 06:39 UTC
Most types of cancer traced to 'bad luck' rather than risk factors, say scientists

Most types of cancer can be put down to bad luck rather than risk factors such as smoking, a study has suggested. US teams were trying to explain why some tissues were millions of times more vulnerable to cancer than others.
Saturday, January 3rd 2015 - 08:02 UTC
Euro becomes the official currency in Lithuania: 19th member of the zone

The Euro entered circulation in Lithuania on New Year, bringing the number of European Union (EU) Member States using the single European currency to 19. The European Central Bank (ECB) announced that Lithuania also joined its banking supervision under the Single Supervisory Mechanism.
Saturday, January 3rd 2015 - 07:56 UTC
Dragui remarks makes Euro fall to its lowest against the dollar since June 2010

The euro fell Friday to a 4 ½-year low against the dollar after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi indicated the bank could soon back a government bond-buying program to deal with alarmingly low inflation across the 19-country Euro-zone.
Saturday, January 3rd 2015 - 06:54 UTC
Top French economist refused to accept the Legion d'Honneur

France's influential economist Thomas Piketty, author of the bestseller “Capital in the 21st Century”, refused to accept the country's highest award, the Legion d'Honneur, arguing it is not the government's job to decide who is honorable and criticizing policies of the current Socialist administration.
Friday, January 2nd 2015 - 05:33 UTC
Pope calls for end to modern slavery and human trafficking in first 2015 Mass

In his first mass of 2015 Pope Francis has urged people of all religions and cultures to unite to fight modern slavery and human trafficking, saying that everyone had a God-given right to be free. The service at St. Peter's Basilica marks the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Peace. This year's theme is “No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters.”
Friday, January 2nd 2015 - 05:19 UTC
Venezuela takes its seat at the UN Security Council replacing Argentina

As of January first Venezuela is holding a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for two years (2015-2016). In such position, the government will have to take a stance on global issues, based on its “multi-center, pluri-polar world” approach.
Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 05:42 UTC
Hedge fund targets 54bn dollars in Petrobras bonds governed by US law

Petrobras, Brazil's state-run oil company, could be declared in technical default on some of its foreign debt if bondholders pursue efforts to force it to speed up its assessment of losses in a giant corruption scandal, according to reports from Reuters.
Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 05:36 UTC
Paraguay with record 2014 beef exports, but faces Russian situation next year

Paraguay twelve-month accumulated meat and meat products exports (mostly beef) reached 1.6bn dollars according to primary information said the head of the country's National quality and health animal services, Senacasa, Hugo Idoyaga, which represents a 20% increase in value over the 1.3 bn. dollars of 2013.
Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 02:54 UTC
Russia's Gazprom takes 100% control of major international gas pipeline

Russia’s gas giant Gazprom said in a release on Monday it had signed a deal with Eni, Wintershall and EDF on the purchase of 50% of shares in South Stream Transport BV. Thus, Gazprom will be a 100% owner of the company.
Wednesday, December 31st 2014 - 02:33 UTC
Legal framework to restructure sovereign debts receives strong UN boost

The U.N. General Assembly approved this week the financing of a plan to develop a new legal framework to restructure national debts, a move aimed at avoiding the kind of speculative action that led Argentina to a second default.