International

Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:45 UTC
Foreign Office minister Swire will visit Uruguay on Wednesday 12 March

Hugo Swire MP, FCO Minister for Latin America, will be visiting Uruguay on Wednesday 12 March where he is scheduled to hold several political and trade meetings. The minister will be returning from Santiago de Chile where he will attend the inauguration ceremony of Chilean president Michelle Bachelet.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:40 UTC
Jamaica pledges to decriminalize cannabis ('ganja') “later this year”

Jamaica's Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Taskforce (CCMRT) says it has been given an assurance that the country later this year will decriminalize marijuana as the island seeks to establish a medicinal marijuana industry.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:13 UTC
UK interest rate held at 0.5%, making it a record low of five years

UK interest rates have been held at 0.5% for another month, the Bank of England announced on Thursday. The decision by the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee comes five years after the record low level was first introduced.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 21:07 UTC
Fearing deflation Euro bank leaves interest rate unchanged at record low

The European Central Bank (ECB) kept on Thursday its benchmark interest rate at its record low of 0.25%, despite fears inflation could get stuck in a “danger zone” below 1%. The bank slightly raised its forecast for growth to 1.2% in 2014, but dropped its inflation estimate.
Thursday, March 6th 2014 - 12:48 UTC
WHO public consultation on sugars intake to help combat obesity and dental caries

The World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a public consultation on its draft guideline on sugars intake. When finalized, the guideline will provide countries with recommendations on limiting the consumption of sugars to reduce public health problems like obesity and dental caries (commonly referred to as tooth decay).
Wednesday, March 5th 2014 - 05:11 UTC
Malvinas negotiations will take place 'sooner than later' forecasts Cristina Fernandez

“Sooner than later” Argentina will be able to discuss with the UK “the Malvinas Islands sovereignty issue” as indicated by the UN resolutions, said Argentine president Cristina Fernandez during her speech to the General Assembly opening the 132th legislative period last Saturday, March first.
Wednesday, March 5th 2014 - 05:07 UTC
Falklands: Timerman says Red Cross will help with identification of remains at Darwin cemetery

Foreign minister Hector Timerman said that the International Committee of the Red Cross will help with the identification of Argentine soldiers killed during the Falklands/Malvinas war and whose remains are still in the territory claimed by Argentina. The UK would be informed at a later stage on the matter.
Wednesday, March 5th 2014 - 04:52 UTC
China buys majority stake in Nidera as part of its investment in food assets

China's State-owned Chinese food giant Cofco Corp. on Friday announced it was buying a 51% stake in closely held grains trader Nidera NV. By investing in Dutch Nidera, Cofco--China's largest stated-owned grain trader-- would have greater control over pricing as well as better access to major grain-growing regions, such as Latin America and Russia.
Wednesday, March 5th 2014 - 04:43 UTC
Scientific debate on synthetic chemicals in packaging and plastic bottles effects on human heath

Concerns about the contamination of food and drink by synthetic chemicals in packaging and plastic bottles has again come to the fore with calls for greater monitoring of the long-term effect on human health.
Wednesday, March 5th 2014 - 04:35 UTC
New spy technology to spawn oil revolution

The future of oil exploration lies in new technology--from massive data-processing supercomputers to 4D seismic to early-phase airborne spy technology that can pinpoint prospective reservoirs.