International

• Friday, June 29th 2012 - 01:29 UTC

  China/Chile upgrade link to strategic partnership and expand bilateral free trade accord

  

  China and Chile upgraded their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and expect to double trade in three years once the bilateral free trade area agreement is completed with investment related supplementary accords.

• Friday, June 29th 2012 - 01:24 UTC

  China offers 15 billion dollars for infrastructure and better trade terms with Latin America

  

  China has offered to set up a 10 billion dollars credit line for Latin American countries to support infrastructure projects in the region. The proposal was made by China's Premier Wen Jiabao as he wrapped up his visit to the region with a conference at the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean, ECLAC, main offices in Santiago de Chile.

• Friday, June 29th 2012 - 01:13 UTC

  Britain forecasted to import 80% of gas consumed as early as 2016

  

  Britain’s declining oil and gas industry may be a minnow on the world stage, 20th largest oil producer and 15th largest gas producer in 2010, but it is still remarkably important for jobs and the UK economy, reports Citywire.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 21:56 UTC

  Overseas Territories White Paper reiterates UK determination to defend the Falklands

  

  Britain reiterated its determination to continue to defend the Falkland Islands and other Overseas Territories on Thursday, an official document known as the White Paper said. The document on the Overseas Territories declares there would be “no weakening” in Britain's resolve.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 21:23 UTC

  Greenpeace asks IWC for historic whale sanctuary in the South Atlantic

  

  Greenpeace and a vast coalition of environmental groups are calling on the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to establish a sanctuary in the South Atlantic Ocean that would protect Southern Hemisphere whales from commercial whaling for their entire lives.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 20:40 UTC

  Falklands’ government accepts content to discuss air links and fisheries with Argentina

  

  The Falkland Islands government announced on Thursday it is content to hold preliminary talks with Argentina on air links and fisheries cooperation as was proposed by Argentine ambassador Alicia Castro to the Foreign Office last April 23, given certain clarifications.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 20:23 UTC

  HMS Protector back in Portsmouth after seven months in Antarctica duties

  

  Royal Navy ice patrol ship HMS Protector returned to Portsmouth on June 27 from her maiden deployment. The 5.000-ton ice-breaker spent most of her seven months away surveying and patrolling the Antarctic Peninsula.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 20:13 UTC

  Grilled calamari the sensation of UK summer boosted by the Dukan diet

  

  As Brits become more adventurous in the kitchen, sales of squid have soared. Calamari is set to be a summer sensation, due in part to the popularity of the Dukan diet.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 07:47 UTC

  FAO/OIE launch global strategy to eradicate foot and mouth disease world wide

  

  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) are joining forces to combat foot-and-mouth disease on a global scale, laying out a detailed strategy to bring the devastating livestock disease under control.

• Thursday, June 28th 2012 - 07:43 UTC

  German cabinet approves plan to balance federal budget three years earlier

  

  As was anticipated and ahead of a crucial European Union leaders summit Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet approved on Wednesday a spending plan that balances Germany’s federal budget three years earlier than required by its own rules.