International

Monday, March 11th 2013 - 18:20 UTC
Queen Elizabeth cancels Monday engagement: “no serious concern about her health”

Britain's Queen Elizabeth cancelled an official engagement on Monday due to illness following her recent hospitalization with symptoms of gastroenteritis but there is no serious concern about her health, officials said.
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 18:16 UTC
Commonwealth message: unlocking potential with innovation and excellence'.

“What lies at the heart of our Commonwealth approach is individuals and communities finding ways to strive together to create a better future that is beneficial for all” said the official Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth message celebrated on Monday.
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 08:29 UTC
“Free association”, an option for the current Falklands’ dispute at UN

There is no doubt that the Falkland Islanders have the right to self-determination, a visiting professor of politics told a public meeting held in the capital Stanley at the Chamber of Commerce last Friday.
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 08:24 UTC
Cameron pledges protection for the Falklands from Argentine intimidation and threats

British Prime Minister David Cameron warned that Britain “will protect” the people of the Falkland Islands from the “intimidation and threats” of Argentina, which claims sovereignty of the South Atlantic archipelago
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 08:15 UTC
China’s February inflation and exports with positive messages for the economy

China's inflation rate hit a 10-month high in February, as Lunar New Year festivities drove up food prices. Consumer prices rose 3.2% from a year earlier, with food prices up by 6%. Likewise exports rose more than expected in February, probably indicating that the Chinese economy could be in an upturn.
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 05:43 UTC
Iranian Majlis assembly prepare to vote on AMIA MoU with Argentina

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Sunday a recent agreement between Iran and Argentina to set up a truth commission to investigate the 1994 AMIA Jewish centre bombing has been submitted to the Majlis for approval.
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 05:06 UTC
Uruguay defence minister blasts Uruguayan observers at Falklands referendum

Uruguay Minister of Defence Eleuterio Fernandez Huidobro described as an “enormous shame” for the country the fact that two lawmakers from the leading opposition National party travelled to the Falklands/Malvinas to participate as observers of the Sunday/Monday referendum on the Islands political status and future.
Monday, March 11th 2013 - 04:30 UTC
“Fantastic” Falklands’ vehicles rally in support of the referendum and UK

Described as ‘fantastic’ despite the bad weather over 300 vehicles plus motorbikes, quads, old tractors and horse riders flying Falklands flags and Union Jacks turned out on Sunday in Stanley for a march along the sea front and the Liberation Monument in support of the two-day referendum on the Islands future.
Sunday, March 10th 2013 - 11:38 UTC
PM Cameron fumble turns austerity and budget cuts policy into a national debate

Prime Minister David Cameron was reprimanded by a budget watchdog for claiming that it did not see his austerity agenda as a drag on Britain's economy. In a speech on Thursday, Cameron said his deficit-cutting agenda was not responsible for the country's depressed growth rate which was instead caused by the financial crisis, the Euro zone's problems and higher oil prices - a view he said was endorsed by the independent watchdog.
Sunday, March 10th 2013 - 11:29 UTC
Fitch downgrades Italy’s debt rating; economy forecasted to contract 1.8% this year

Ratings agency Fitch added to Italy's mounting problems this week by cutting its credit rating due to the political uncertainty after last week's election, deep recession and rising debt. Fitch lowered Italy's sovereign rating by one notch to BBB plus, with a negative outlook, raising the risk that its next ratings change will be a further downgrade.