International

Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 22:38 UTC
Pope Francis invited to address a joint session of the US congress

United States House Speaker John Boehner invited Pope Francis to address a joint session of Congress - an unprecedented event - during an expected visit to the United States next year. Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have quickly sought to invoke the popular pontiff's devotion to the poor.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 08:08 UTC
UK reiterates support for Gibraltar's people right to determine their own future

A senior Foreign Office minister summed up Britain’s position on Gibraltar firmly and concisely this week in Parliament. “At the heart of this issue is the right of the people of Gibraltar to determine their own future,” said Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 05:52 UTC
Falklands, trade, Mercosur/EU, oil and gas, in Swire's agenda in Uruguay

Bilateral trade, Mercosur/EU talks, oil and gas cooperation, and Falkland Islands, plus some audacious comments on the coming World Cup match Uruguay/England, were some of the issues addressed by Foreign Office minister for Latin-American Hugo Swire during his one day visit to Uruguay on Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 12th 2014 - 09:13 UTC
Mining companies shares down hit by a slump in the price of iron ore

Shares in some of the world's biggest mining companies have been hit by a slump in the price of iron ore, amid fears of a slowdown in China's economy. Iron ore delivered into China fell 8.3% on Monday after Beijing reported weak export data over the weekend.
Wednesday, March 12th 2014 - 08:50 UTC
Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated one in ten adults, says PAHO/WHO

Diabetes and high blood pressure, together with aging, are the main risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease, which affects an estimated one in 10 adults globally, according to studies.
Wednesday, March 12th 2014 - 07:49 UTC
Ecuador's Lasso Mendoza elected chair of the 2014 Decolonization Committee

Ecuador' Xavier Lasso Mendoza was elected by 'acclamation' as Chair of the 2014 session of the Special Committee on Decolonization together with Rodolfo Reyes Rodríguez (Cuba), Vandi Chidi Minah (Sierra Leone) and Desra Percaya (Indonesia), as Vice-Chairs, and Bashar Ja’afari (Syria), as Rapporteur, according to the UN release.
Wednesday, March 12th 2014 - 07:43 UTC
“Encouraging signs of rejuvenation” from the UN Decolonization Committee

For the first time in many years, the UN decolonization unit held several meetings with each of the four administering powers: United Kingdom, France, New Zealand and the United States, as well as various other “stakeholders”, in order to identify next steps in the decolonization process.
Tuesday, March 11th 2014 - 20:17 UTC
Minister Swire representing the UK as the inauguration of President Bachelet

Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State for Latin America in the British Foreign Office is in Chile representing the UK at the inauguration of President Michelle Bachelet. In addition to attending official activities as part of the presidential inauguration, Minister Swire’s program will be focused on strengthening UK-Chile ties in areas such as trade and investment, science and innovation and education.
Tuesday, March 11th 2014 - 18:48 UTC
Shale, the last oil and gas train: Interview with Arthur Berman

How much faith can we put in our ability to decipher all the numbers out there telling us the US is closing in on its cornering of the global oil market?
Tuesday, March 11th 2014 - 18:25 UTC
World Salt Awareness Week: “read the label, choose less salt”

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is calling on consumers to “Stop, look, choose…the lower salt option” during this year’s World Salt Awareness Week, March 10–16.