International

Friday, June 6th 2014 - 08:02 UTC
Italy planning to boost economy by including shadow economy as part of GDP

Drugs, prostitution and arms smuggling may not be legal, but it's all real economic activity, at least in Italy, which will now include illegal enterprises as part of its gross domestic product (a measure of the goods and services a nation produces). Italy has decided to boost the size of its economy by including the value of black market activities.
Thursday, June 5th 2014 - 07:15 UTC
Dilma claims FIFA had pledged that stadiums would be built with private funds

As Brazil rushes to finish stadiums and deal with a wave of protests ahead of the June 12 kick-off, president Dilma Rousseff partly blamed FIFA for the spiraling World Cup bill but said the money spent would leave a positive legacy.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 09:14 UTC
Uruguay ready to receive Guantanamo prisoners and displaced Syrian children

Uruguayan government negotiations with Washington to receive detainees from the US jail in Guantanamo base, and with the UN to host Syrian children and their families are well advanced, revealed Foreign minister Luis Almagro.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 08:58 UTC
Mexico's Pemex sells its majority stake in Repsol over management disputes

Mexico's state-owned oil giant Pemex has sold the majority of its stake in Spanish energy firm Repsol for approximately 2.2bn Euros with the intervention of Citigroup and Deutsche Bank. Pemex has been a shareholder in Repsol for more than 25 years.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 08:51 UTC
Euro zone entering 'deflation' zone; ECB expected to boost growth

Euro-zone inflation fell to 0.5% in May, down from 0.7% in April and well below the European Central Bank's 2% target. The fall means the ECB will be expected to take steps to boost growth and counter the threat of deflation when it meets on Thursday.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 08:30 UTC
Another 180,000 tickets for the World Cup will be put on sale on Wednesday

Football fans have one more chance to experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil live in the 12 stadiums. announced FIFA. As of 00.01 Brazilian time on Wednesday, 4 June 2014, about 180,000 tickets will be up for sale on www.FIFA.com/tickets, in addition to those tickets that are currently available. There will be tickets for all 64 matches.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 08:19 UTC
Spain's Felipe VI will be proclaimed on 18 June before the two houses of Parliament

Spain's crown prince will be proclaimed King Felipe VI on June 18 before Parliament in Madrid, legislative officials said Tuesday. The 46-year-old Felipe de Borbon, who currently holds the title of Prince of Asturias, will succeed his father, King Juan Carlos, who announced on Monday that he was abdicating.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 07:43 UTC
Over 100 British MPs come out in support of Argentina and condemn 'vulture funds'

More than 100 British Members of Parliament have signed a resolution of support for Argentina in the fight against hedge fund holdout investors, and warned that if the United States Justice System ruled against the nation it could fall into default.
Wednesday, June 4th 2014 - 00:47 UTC
UK Minister Simmonds to visit Miami and Sao Paulo to support the English team

UK Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds is scheduled to visit Sao Paulo and Miami to promote the travel safety 'Be On The Ball' campaign, preparing fans for the World Cup and to support the English team.
Tuesday, June 3rd 2014 - 06:03 UTC
With help from FIFA, the stadium opening the World Cup approved the test

A less-than-capacity crowd at Sunday’s final World Cup test event at the Itaquerao venue in Sao Paulo means it will host a full crowd for the first time at the tournament opener.