International

Wednesday, June 12th 2013 - 07:18 UTC
Germany’s highest court to decide on ECB bond-purchase program

Germany's highest tribunal, the Constitutional Court, began on Tuesday the first of two days of hearings on Tuesday on whether the European Central Bank's program to buy up sovereign debt of struggling Euro zone countries is compatible with Germany's Basic Law.
Wednesday, June 12th 2013 - 07:17 UTC
Japan’s slowing of bold stimulus plan disappoints investors; markets down

World share indexes have fallen after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) on Tuesday held off taking new measures to calm markets. BoJ governor Haruhiko Kuroda said the central bank would consider fresh steps if borrowing costs spike in the future, but opted against further action now.
Tuesday, June 11th 2013 - 21:57 UTC
Israel and Colombia sign far reaching free trade agreement

Israel and Colombia this week signed in Jerusalem a free trade treaty to increase trade and promote investments in the fields of technology. The treaty which was reached after fifteen years of intense negotiations now needs legislative approval which should be accomplished by early 2014 according to Israeli political sources.
Tuesday, June 11th 2013 - 05:18 UTC
Fast-track debate in Nicaragua to consider Chinese project for an inter-ocean canal

Nicaragua is moving closer to granting a Chinese company a 100-year concession to build and operate a canal linking the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Construction of the waterway would take 10 years and cost 40 billion dollars.
Monday, June 10th 2013 - 22:31 UTC
Slower global agricultural production in next decade but prices above historic average, says FAO

Global agricultural production is expected to grow 1.5% a year on average over the coming decade, compared with annual growth of 2.1% between 2003 and 2012, according to a new report published by the OECD and FAO released this week.
Monday, June 10th 2013 - 22:01 UTC
Ex-CIA employee leaked info “to protect basic liberties for people around the world”

An ex-CIA employee has said he acted to “protect basic liberties for people around the world” in leaking details of US phone and internet surveillance. Edward Snowden, 29, was revealed as the source of the leaks at his own request by the UK's Guardian newspaper.
Monday, June 10th 2013 - 20:41 UTC
Argentina celebrates: China accepts three GM types of soybean for consumption

China approved three genetically modified soybean types for consumption, including the RR2BT seed resistant to the imidazolinonas and the glufosinat-ammonium herbicides. The announcement was made following a meeting between Agriculture ministers from Argentina and China in Beijing.
Friday, June 7th 2013 - 23:42 UTC
AI calls on Hague for talks with Colombia more focused on human rights and less on trade

Amnesty International said that British authorities in their meetings with visiting Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos should not allow a ‘focus on commercial diplomacy to come at the cost of raising human rights. President Santos is basically on a business and trade visit to the UK, but is also expected to address issues of ‘security and intelligence”.
Friday, June 7th 2013 - 23:40 UTC
President Santos in London says that cooperation with NATO has been going “since a long time”

President Juan Manuel Santos revealed on Friday in London that Colombia has been cooperating with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, “since a long time”. Last June first the Colombian Executive announced that the Ministry of Defence was going to sign an agreement with NATO “to begin the process of becoming closer to NATO”.
Friday, June 7th 2013 - 08:03 UTC
Mexico and China leave behind mistrust and agree on strategic partnership

Leaving behind an atmosphere of mistrust, China and Mexico agreed this week to upgrade bilateral ties to comprehensive strategic partnership, and thus opening broad prospects for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.