International

Monday, November 11th 2013 - 23:46 UTC
Falklands oil companies bombarded with warning-letters from Argentina

Argentina has begun a determined campaign to deter companies from drilling for oil in disputed waters around the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic. On the eve of a visit by UK parliamentarians to Buenos Aires this week, the Argentine embassy in London warned that legal action was being ramped up against drillers and their suppliers, reports Terry Macalister in The Guardian.
Monday, November 11th 2013 - 23:43 UTC
Gay-friendly Madrid chosen to host World Pride International celebrations in 2017

In Madrid, it seems like summer only really sets in on International Gay Pride Day, which is followed by the Gay Pride celebrations. In 2014, they will take place from July 2-6. The streets in Chueca are lined with flags and garlands, and the neighborhood fills up with open-air bars, while the main squares host live music performances
Monday, November 11th 2013 - 19:49 UTC
GEF and FAO approve project to improve sustainability of tuna fisheries worldwide

Global Environment Facility (GEF) CEO Naoko Ishii approved a project coordinated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to improve the health and sustainability of tuna fisheries worldwide by reducing illegal catch and supporting related marine ecosystems and species.
Monday, November 11th 2013 - 16:03 UTC
Mid-Atlantic ridge with iron-rich waters extending from Brazil to Namibia discovered

At the slow-spreading mid-Atlantic ridge in the South Atlantic Ocean an iron cloud spreads for more than 1,000 kilometers across the Atlantic from west of Namibia, Africa, to northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The iron-rich waters flow 1,500 to 3,500 meters beneath the surface of the ocean. The complete extent and shape of the iron plume remains to be discovered.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 18:34 UTC
S&P downgrades France's credit rating but market reactions were contained

Another setback for the French government as the rating agency Standard & Poor’s cut its appraisal of the country’s credit worthiness. It reduced its rating one notch to AA from AA+.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 18:27 UTC
Bank of England leaves rates unchanged; focus on next week's inflation report

Bank of England has left interest rates unchanged at 0.5% and made no change to its program of quantitative easing, as had been widely expected. The decision came as no surprise as the Bank has said it will not consider a rate rise until the unemployment rate falls below 7%.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 18:03 UTC
China begins secret meeting to decide reforms and course of next decade

China began a four-day secret meeting on Saturday to set a reform agenda for the next decade as they try to push more sustainable growth after three decades of breakneck expansion. But analysts have cautioned against expectations for big changes as they say stability remains the watchword for the leadership.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 17:55 UTC
Food commodity markets more balances and less price volatile, says FAO

Food commodity markets are becoming more balanced and less price volatile than in recent years thanks to improved supplies and a recovery in global inventories of cereals, according to FAO's Food Outlook report published on Friday.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 12:51 UTC
Falklands 'Falkstock' festival organized by Polar Latitudes and Sulivan Shipping

Working in conjunction with Sulivan Shipping expedition cruise company Polar Latitudes has announced plans for the First Annual Falkland Islands Music Festival (Falkstock) to be held in March as a celebration of the end of season.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 05:49 UTC
Westminster addressed Spain's Guardia Civil 'dangerous and provocative' actions in Gibraltar waters

British Labor MP Jim Dobbin has filed an early day motion calling on the House of Commons to condemn the actions of the Spanish Guardia Civil crew that led to “an armed stand-off” with Royal Navy vessels in Gibraltar waters last week.