International

Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:54 UTC
Pacific Alliance summit will remove tariffs from 92% of goods and services

The four presidents of the Pacific Alliance are scheduled to sign next Monday the trade group's Additional Protocol which will remove tariffs on 92% of goods and services, effective immediately, announced Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos who will be hosting the summit in Cartagena.
Wednesday, February 5th 2014 - 08:47 UTC
WHO: Cancer growing at 'an alarming pace', particularly in developing countries

The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said cancer was growing “at an alarming pace” worldwide and new strategies were needed to curb the sometimes fatal and often costly disease.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 23:09 UTC
Deputy PM Nick Clegg in Colombia calls for new drugs policy in the UK

The UK should abandon its current drugs policy because the war on drugs is not being won, Nick Clegg has said. Speaking on a visit to Colombia, the deputy prime minister said different approaches were needed although he did not back full legalization. He also praised President Juan Manuel Santos commitment to the peace process with FARC and welcomed the human rights' policy.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 21:39 UTC
Microsoft names Satya Nadella as new CEO; Gates becomes technology advisor

Microsoft Corp named company veteran Satya Nadella as its next chief executive officer, ending a longer-than-expected search for a new leader after Steve Ballmer announced his intention to retire in August.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 09:03 UTC
Brazilian police challenge Rousseff and threaten to strike during the World Cup

Only four weeks away from the World Cup and in a climate of growing social unrest Brazil police unions are threatening the government of President Dilma Rousseff with a national strike. For Rousseff it also means an additional challenge since on February 10 the ruling Workers Party will be launching her re-election bid for next October's presidential election.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:56 UTC
China became Uruguay's main trade partner in 2013

China became Uruguay's main trade partner in 2013 totaling 20.9% of all trade according to the latest stats from the Central bank. This leaves China three percentage points ahead of Brazil, 18.8% (traditionally the main partner) and almost four ahead of Argentina with 18.1%.
Tuesday, February 4th 2014 - 08:37 UTC
Extent of corruption in Europe is 'breathtaking' and costs at least 120bn Euros

The extent of corruption in Europe is “breathtaking” and it costs the EU economy at least 120bn Euros annually, the European Commission says. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem has presented a full report on the problem. She said the true cost of corruption was “probably much higher” than 120bn.
Monday, February 3rd 2014 - 19:54 UTC
Spain's El Mundo editor steps down; Rajoy's administration denies any involvement

The influential founding editor of Spain’s second-biggest newspaper, El Mundo, stepped down on Thursday after a decline in circulation and a series of revelations of alleged corruption in the ruling party.
Monday, February 3rd 2014 - 19:42 UTC
Spain hassles Gibraltar on UN hazardous waste convention

The European Union is not the only place where Spain punctiliously continues to press its position on Gibraltar as a clause in every international agreement. As recently as November 2013 amendment to the Basel Convention on the control of trans-boundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, Spain introduced, via the office of the UN Secretary General, a communication relating to the territorial application by UK to Gibraltar.
Monday, February 3rd 2014 - 19:34 UTC
Mercosur still waiting to agree on a date for the much delayed summit

Mercosur through its pro-tempore presidency under Venezuela is involved in a round of contacts to agree on the group's much delayed XLVI summit which has been postponed because of problems with 'presidents' agenda', revealed Paraguayan foreign minister Eladio Loizaga.