International

Monday, April 25th 2011 - 07:09 UTC
An Italian, ‘Super Mario’, the leading candidate to replace Trichet at ECB

France considers Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi the leading candidate to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet at the helm of the European Central Bank. However the key decision maker, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, has yet to tip her hand. Merkel’s aides have indicated that Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, no longer insists on a German to succeed Trichet.
Monday, April 25th 2011 - 07:07 UTC
Gold and silver soar to new highs pushed by weak dollar and inflation

Gold advanced to a record, set for the best run since November 2006 after rising for nine days, as investors sought to protect their wealth against a weaker dollar, faster inflation and geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Silver climbed to a 31-year high.
Monday, April 25th 2011 - 06:43 UTC
WTO warns Doha Round talks are at ‘serious risk’: crucial meeting 29 April

The head of the World Trade Organization warned the decade-old Doha Round talks on a new global commerce deal involving billions of dollars are at “serious risk” because of differences over cutting tariffs on industrial goods.
Monday, April 25th 2011 - 06:14 UTC
More protests in Syria in spite of the security forces ‘shoot to kill’ policy

Security forces have reportedly shot dead at least three people and injured others in north-west Syria, days after the worst bloodshed since unrest began. Police and soldiers opened fire from rooftops in the coastal town of Jabla, though no protest was being held at the time, witnesses said.
Sunday, April 24th 2011 - 01:05 UTC
Antarctica ozone hole linked to Australia’s recent series of droughts

The Antarctic ozone hole is about one-third to blame for Australia's recent series of droughts, scientists say. Writing in in the journal Science, they conclude that the hole has shifted wind and rainfall patterns right across the Southern Hemisphere, even the tropics.
Thursday, April 21st 2011 - 21:38 UTC
Fiat increases share in Chrysler to 46%; speculation on an eventual takeover

Italian carmaker Fiat says it has reached a deal to buy an additional 16% stake in Chrysler for 1.27bn US dollars. The move takes Fiat's stake in the US's third-largest carmaker to 46% and raises speculation about an eventual takeover this year.
Thursday, April 21st 2011 - 21:33 UTC
Turbulence from speeding motor boats kills zooplankton, reveals study

Turbulence generated by speeding motor boats kills significant numbers of zooplankton, a study has revealed for the first time. Experiments on copepods, tiny crustaceans that live and float in water, show that a third die in waters frequented by propeller-driven boats. That is significantly more than in bodies of water not used by boats.
Thursday, April 21st 2011 - 06:54 UTC
WTO Lamy launches ‘confessionals’ of hope to try and salvage the Doha Round

Pascal Lamy head of the World Trade Organization is holding talks to try and salvage the ailing Doha Round of trade liberalization talks that have been stalled for almost a decade.
Thursday, April 21st 2011 - 06:41 UTC
China further opens its market to Brazilian beef, chicken and now pork

China opened its market significantly for Brazilian beef and chicken said Brazil’s Agriculture minister Wagner Rossi on his return from a week long visit to China with a business delegation headed by President Dilma Rousseff.
Thursday, April 21st 2011 - 06:22 UTC
Gibraltar promotes cruise calls allowing them to open on-board casinos and shops

Cruise ships calling in Gibraltar will be allowed to open their on-board casinos and shops to their passengers after 6pm, providing an incentive to remain alongside until the early hours of the following morning, was announced by the Rock’s Deputy Chief Minister Joe Holliday.