International

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.
Saturday, November 9th 2013 - 03:31 UTC
Group of Argentine bondholders plan 'private debt swap' to holdouts

A group of Argentine bondholders will offer creditors suing for the repayment of defaulted sovereign debt a private deal to get them to abandon their litigation, the state-run Télam news agency said.
Thursday, November 7th 2013 - 23:05 UTC
Advice for Mujica: “professional, not presidential diplomacy” to deal with Cristina Fernandez

Uruguayan president Jose Mujica is fed up with problems with Argentina but must abandon the 'presidential diplomacy' and turn to 'professional diplomacy' because President Cristina Fernandez will not modify her conduct, warned one of Argentina's most respected political analysts, Rosendo Fraga.
Thursday, November 7th 2013 - 22:53 UTC
Pescanova needs 185 million Euros to get back to business, say auditors

The Galician multinational firm Pescanova needs an estimated 185 million Euros in working capital to be run in a year, according to estimates made by the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Thursday, November 7th 2013 - 21:51 UTC
Fears of 2014 World Cup disruptions resurface as major football conference is called off by Rio authorities

Fears about disruption to next year's World Cup have been raised after the key global football conference Soccerex was cancelled for disputed reasons. Soccerex organizers said Rio de Janeiro's state government had called off next month's event due to concerns about “ongoing civil unrest” in Brazil.
Thursday, November 7th 2013 - 19:25 UTC
Euro zone lowers rate to prop economy and avoid deflation; shares at five-year high

A surprise rate cut by the European Central Bank sent Euro zone shares to a five-year high on Thursday as traders bet a weaker Euro and easier lending conditions would help revive the region's economy and boost demand for stocks.
Thursday, November 7th 2013 - 16:16 UTC
Plans to commission 3 new ocean-going offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy

Britain's Ministry has plans to commission three new ocean-going offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Navy. The new ships will be built by BAE Systems at their shipyards on the Clyde in a deal that will sustain jobs in the UK’s warship-building industry, and will play a key role in counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations.