International

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 16:55 UTC

  EU farm lobbies increase campaign against trade agreement with Mercosur

  

  European Union beef prices would be cut by more than 8% and meat production across the EU would fall in value by more than €3bn if a trade deal were agreed with Mercosur, according to preliminary assessments from an agriculture advisory body to the European Commission.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 04:59 UTC

  New German central bank chief promises continued “stability culture”

  

  Germany’s Bundesbank new hawkish president Jens Weidmann said private investors should help cover costs of the Euro zone crisis. Mr Weidmann promised a continued “stability culture” at the German central bank after taking over from outgoing president Axel Weber.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 01:52 UTC

  Vatican says killing of Bin Laden calls for reflection before God and not rejoicing

  

  The Vatican said the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, a man who sowed division and hatred and who caused “innumerable” deaths, should prompt serious reflection about one's responsibility before God, not rejoicing.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 00:41 UTC

  EU/Mercosur trade negotiations resume in Paraguay

  

  Bilateral negotiations for a trade agreement between Mercosur and European Union delegates are scheduled to resume Tuesday in Asunción, Paraguay.

• Tuesday, May 3rd 2011 - 00:32 UTC

  Farmers warn European Parliament of ‘catastrophic impact’ of trade accord with Mercosur

  

  European farmers insisted Monday before the European Parliament on the “catastrophic impact” that a trade agreement with Mercosur could have for the EU agriculture.

• Monday, May 2nd 2011 - 06:53 UTC

  Two wars and 15 years to catch the most hated and feared men in the world

  

  Osama Bin Laden came to the world's attention on 11 September 2001, when the attacks on the United States left more than 3,000 people dead and hundreds more injured. In a matter of three years, the Saudi-born dissident had emerged from obscurity to become one of the most hated and feared men in the world.

• Monday, May 2nd 2011 - 06:46 UTC

  “Justice has been done”, said Obama announcing the killing of Bin Laden

  

  Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind of the most devastating attack on United States soil in modern times and the most hunted man in the world, was killed in a fire-fight with US forces in Pakistan on Sunday, President Obama announced.

• Monday, May 2nd 2011 - 01:10 UTC

  “Blessed” John Paul II, a step closer to sainthood; 1.5 million attend ceremony

  

  The late Pope John Paul II was moved a major step closer to sainthood at a ceremony that drew about a million and a half people to Rome and was celebrated by Catholics around the world.

• Monday, May 2nd 2011 - 00:42 UTC

  Japan’s industrial output plunges record 15.3% and household spending 8.5%

  

  Japan's industrial output fell a record 15.3% in March from the previous month, while household spending tumbled the government announced Thursday, direct result of the earthquake impact and ongoing nuclear crisis.

• Monday, May 2nd 2011 - 00:40 UTC

  Chrysler to repay bailout loans to US and Canada governments next June

  

  Chrysler anticipated that by the second quarter it will have repaid bailout loans worth more than 7 billion US dollars given by the US and Canadian governments. The auto group said it would pay back the bailout by June with loans from investors.