International

• Wednesday, April 18th 2012 - 08:15 UTC

  “Argentina has just shot itself in the foot” warns Spain Foreign minister

  

  Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel García-Margallo warned on Tuesday that “Argentina has just shot itself in the foot” as the expropriation of YPF oil and gas company might lead to “a break- up with both Spain and the international community.”

• Wednesday, April 18th 2012 - 08:10 UTC

  Hague expresses deep concern over the YPF case and promises support for Spain

  

  British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was “very concerned” at President Cristina Fernández announcement to expropriate YPF, a decision he believes “goes against all the commitments Argentina has made in the G20 to promote transparency and reduce protectionism.”

• Wednesday, April 18th 2012 - 01:05 UTC

  Bolivia’s Morales takes distance from YPF/Argentina conflict and praises Repsol

  

  Bolivian president Evo Morales clearly took distance from Argentina’s expropriation of YPF, the Argentine affiliate of Spain’s Repsol which was announced on Monday and caused a major rift between Argentina and Spain and the European Commission.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 21:41 UTC

  IMF says investment climate in Argentina unpredictable; EC cancels bilateral meeting

  

  The European Commission called off a meeting with officials in Argentina after President Cristina Fernández revealed plans to expropriate 51% of YPF from its mother corporation Spain’s Repsol.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 19:48 UTC

  Royal Gibraltar Regiment takes over ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace

  

  The Royal Gibraltar Regiment has left its base on the Rock to take up ceremonial duties in London. It is only the second time that the regiment has performed public duties in London taking over from the Coldstream Guards at the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Monday 16 April.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 19:36 UTC

  New Zealand seat of fifth conservation conference of albatrosses and petrels

  

  The Fifth International Conference on the Biology and Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (IAPC5) will be held in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa on the waterfront of Wellington, New Zealand over the period Monday 13 to Friday 17 August 2012.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 19:32 UTC

  Falklands 30th anniversary will focus on remembering the 1982 legacy of sacrifice

  

  A Foreign and Commonwealth Minister a front bench spokesperson from the Labour Party and a representative from the Conservative Party will be among VIP guests at the June Falkland Islands 30th commemorations.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 03:12 UTC

  EC supports Spain and warns YPF expropriation can seriously damage business climate

  

  The European Community strongly supported Spain and oil corporation Repsol saying that the expropriation by Argentina of YPF is “a very negative signal” for investors and could seriously damage the business climate of the country.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 03:03 UTC

  YPF takeover: “Dreadful decision for Spain, for Argentina and terrible for legal security”

  

  The Spanish government condemned Argentina’s announcement over the expropriation of YPF, calling it a “discriminatory” and “arbitrary” decision, and stated that it will adopt any measures deemed necessary to defend the interests of Repsol and every other Spanish company.

• Tuesday, April 17th 2012 - 00:28 UTC

  US candidate Dr. Kim chosen World Bank president; takes office next July

  

  US nominee Jim Yong Kim has been chosen as the new president of the World Bank. The Korean-American health expert, president of Dartmouth College faced a strong challenge for the post, which has traditionally gone to an American, from Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.