International

• Wednesday, August 24th 2011 - 23:43 UTC

  Japan's turn to have its rating cut blaming debt and political problems

  

  Moody's Investors Service cut this week its rating on Japan's government debt by one notch to Aa3, blaming a build-up of debt since the 2009 global recession and revolving-door political leadership that has hampered effective economic strategies.

• Wednesday, August 24th 2011 - 07:21 UTC

  Chavez only recognizes the Gaddafi government; accuses US of inciting civil war

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said he will only recognize a Libyan government led by his friend and ally Muammar Gaddafi and accused the United States of inciting the country's civil war.

• Wednesday, August 24th 2011 - 07:10 UTC

  Strauss-Khan free but faces civil lawsuit and rape investigation case in France

  

  Former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Khan, no longer facing sexual-assault charges in New York for what one of his lawyers called “inappropriate behaviour,” remains a defendant in a civil lawsuit by his accuser and the subject of a French rape investigation.

• Wednesday, August 24th 2011 - 06:47 UTC

  World markets higher on expectations of Bernanke speech Thursday

  

  US stocks shot 3% higher on Tuesday on speculation Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke this week could signal new help for the US economy, giving investors hope a four-week rout was nearing an end.

• Tuesday, August 23rd 2011 - 06:42 UTC

  OAS calls for ‘shared responsibility’ from drug-consuming countries

  

  Consumer countries must assume their responsibility in the fight against the drug trade because as long as there is a demand, the illegal business won’t be stopped said the Organization of American States Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza who also praised his host Peruvian president Ollanta Humala for convening a presidential summit on the issue.

• Tuesday, August 23rd 2011 - 06:36 UTC

  Gold glitters on fear to an all time high of 1.910 dollars on Tuesday

  

  Spot gold soared to an all-time high above 1,910 dollars on Tuesday, scoring a record top for a fourth consecutive session, as persistent worries about global economic growth burnished bullion's safe-haven appeal.

• Tuesday, August 23rd 2011 - 06:15 UTC

  Prosecutors ask judge to dismiss sexual assault charges against Struss-Khan

  

  New York prosecutors asked a judge to dismiss sexual assault charges against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a stunning reversal that could revive the political future of a man many had seen as the next president of France.

• Tuesday, August 23rd 2011 - 04:18 UTC

  Falklands’ hydrocarbons policy “is primarily a matter for the Islands”

  

  The hydrocarbons policy within Falkland Islands waters is primarily a matter for the Falklands government and the UK is in no negotiations with Argentina over the future exploitation of any oil deposits found in the Islands waters, said Lord Howell of Guildford, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office during question time in the House earlier this month.

• Tuesday, August 23rd 2011 - 04:02 UTC

  UK buys 14 new Chinooks taking the total force of heavy lift helicopters to 60

  

  The Royal Air Force is getting 14 new Chinook, one of the most versatile heavy duty helicopters that have seen service for many years in the most demanding environments from the Falklands to Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Monday, August 22nd 2011 - 07:49 UTC

  Argentina and Chile jointly promoting tourism to attract more Aussies

  

  Argentina and Chile are jointly promoting their countries in a round of events in Australia with the purpose of drawing more Aussie tourists. The promotion coincides with the recent announcement of Australia’s flag carrier Qantas direct flights to Santiago de Chile.