International

• Friday, April 8th 2011 - 05:46 UTC

  China plans fuel and rice prices “stabilization” to contain inflation

  

  China will introduce tax measures to ensure sufficient fuel production if global oil prices exceed 130 US dollars a barrel, China National Radio reported Thursday. Domestic prices of gasoline and diesel may not be increased after crude reaches that level the state broadcasting system said quoting a National Development and Reform Commission official

• Friday, April 8th 2011 - 03:08 UTC

  FAO food prices index drops 2.9% in March but is still 39% over a year ago

  

  The FAO Food Price Index has dropped for the first time after eight months of continuous price spikes, FAO announced Thursday. The Index averaged 230 points in March 2011, down 2.9% from its peak in February, but still 37% above March 2010.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 21:57 UTC

  Drug resistance becoming top global challenge, says WHO on World Health Day

  

  Drug resistance is becoming more severe and many infections are no longer easily cured, leading to prolonged and expensive treatment and greater risk of death, warns the World Health Organization (WHO) on World Health Day.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 21:06 UTC

  Royal Navy preparing young explorers to re-edit Scott’s Antarctica saga in 2012

  

  Budding explorers inspired by Royal Navy Captain Robert Scott of the Antarctic, have had the chance to prove that they have got what it takes to follow in his footsteps during an exercise held at HMS Raleigh this week.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 20:07 UTC

  Bank of England priority list has recovery before inflation: rates unchanged

  

  The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to retain the United Kingdom’s interest rate at 0.5%. The rate, the lowest in the Bank of England’s history, has now been unchanged for over two years despite speculation that higher rates may help combat inflation.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 19:05 UTC

  Euro zone raises interest rate fearing inflation; “sorry peripheral countries”

  

  Euro-zone interest rates have been raised to 1.25% from the record low of 1% by the European Central Bank (ECB). Interest rates had been held at 1% for just under two years following the financial crisis and global recession.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 18:26 UTC

  Global trade forecasted to grow 6.5% this year after a record 14.5% in 2010

  

  Global commerce will grow 6.5% this year after expanding a record 14.5% in 2010 as economies from China to Brazil recover from the worst recession in six decades, the World Trade Organization said on Thursday.

• Thursday, April 7th 2011 - 09:11 UTC

  Portugal admits the facts, formally requests a bailout from the EU

  

  Portugal's caretaker government said on Wednesday it had decided to seek financing from the European Union in an abrupt turnaround after resisting a bailout for months despite sharply deteriorating financial conditions.

• Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 19:48 UTC

  Instituto Cervantes at a new home in Gibraltar with a vast program of activities

  

  Spain’s Instituto Cervantes for the promotion of Spanish language and culture opened this week its doors at Cloister Building in Gibraltar. The local director of the institute, Francisco Oda said that the centre was ready to welcome everyone now that it had moved to its home in Market Lane.

• Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 15:48 UTC

  UK increases funds for South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territory

  

  The UK Government has announced it is to increase funds for South Georgia and the other UK Overseas Territories. On March 10th the UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague, announced the increase of the Overseas Territories Programme Fund to £7m per year and a special one off payment of £1 million to GSGSSI this year, reports the March edition of South Georgia Newsletter.