International

Thursday, December 22nd 2011 - 05:01 UTC
European Central bank supports financial sector with ultra-cheap € 490 billion

Europe's banks borrowed nearly 490 billion Euros from the European Central Bank at its first-ever offer of three-year loans on Wednesday, encouraging demand for the Euro and stocks on hopes the funding will ease the two-year old debt crisis.
Thursday, December 22nd 2011 - 04:57 UTC
Former First Sea Lord suggests sending a nuclear sub to protect the Falklands

A former British First Sea Lord (2002-2006) and Commander during the South Atlantic conflict stated that Britain should respond to the Mercosur bloc’s decision to close their ports to ships that fly the Falklands/Malvinas flag, by sending a nuclear submarine to protect the Islands, the Telegraph newspaper reported Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 21st 2011 - 19:21 UTC
The thuggery of Argentina's Falklands claim

By Ian Dunt @IanDunt<http://twitter.com/iandunt - “The protection of peoples' self-determination to choose their own government is the protection of the weak from the strong”
Wednesday, December 21st 2011 - 05:34 UTC
Mercosur signs free trade agreement with Palestinian Authority

Mercosur signed a free trade agreement with the Palestinian Authority on Tuesday, the first between the territories and a block of nations outside the Arab world. The ceremony took place during Mercosur presidential summit in Montevideo.
Wednesday, December 21st 2011 - 02:26 UTC
Congress votes Rajoy PM who anticipates even tougher austerity measures

Spanish lawmakers voted Tuesday to make conservative leader Mariano Rajoy the new prime minister, approving his program of sweeping budget cuts and tough economic reforms.
Wednesday, December 21st 2011 - 00:52 UTC
Britain skips contribution to the IMF for a Euro zone bailout fund

Britain’s refusal to contribute to the IMF for a Euro zone bailout fund has left the EU short of its 200 billion Euro target. The UK boycott leaves the Euro zone more reliant than ever on major economies such China and on Russia, which are willing to lend more to the IMF.
Wednesday, December 21st 2011 - 00:48 UTC
”Gibraltar at this moment, a minor issue” says Spanish Conservative think-tank

A senior director at a Conservative think-tank founded by Jose Maria Aznar, Spain’s former Popular Party prime minister, said Gibraltar was low on the list of priorities for Madrid, particularly at a time of crisis when it needed the UK as an ally.
Wednesday, December 21st 2011 - 00:45 UTC
UK readies plan for ex-pats evacuation in the event of Spain and Portugal banking collapse

Gibraltar could play a role in contingency plans drawn up by the Foreign Office to evacuate British expatriates in the event of a banking collapse in Spain and Portugal, according to the Sunday Times.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 22:43 UTC
Moody's praises UK management but warns of “formidable and rising challenges”

Ratings agency Moody's has given the UK high scores for economic governance but warns the country it faces “formidable and rising challenges”.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 19:28 UTC
Mercosur summit suspended following suicide of a top Argentine official

The Mercosur presidential summit in Montevideo has been temporarily suspended following the news that a member of the Argentine delegation had committed suicide which left delegation members in a state of shock.