
China's government has said it will provide poorer households with subsidies in response to double-digit food price inflation. Inflation accelerated to 4.4% in October, with food prices rising 10.1%.

New Zealand has seen phenomenal cruise growth since 1995 and the 2010-2011 cruise season which started on 15 October with the Sapphire Princess, is forecast to be even larger than what the country has ever experienced.

The European Commission (EC) has proposed fishing cuts for 64 species after having announced the new total allowable catch (TAC) for 2011 and fishing effort levels in the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and international waters regulated by regional fisheries management organizations.

A new strategy that will reinvigorate the UK's relationship with its Overseas Territories will be at the heart of discussions at the annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council which begins Wednesday 17 November.

UK market research company Verdict has forecast the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton and their subsequent Royal Wedding next year could give a £620m (billion US dollars) boost to the economy.

A meeting of Euro zone ministers in Brussels ended with a promise to work towards further help for Ireland. The EU monetary affairs commissioner, Olli Rehn, said the 27-country bloc would intensify work on a support programme for Ireland - should Dublin request one.

International Labor Organization (ILO) is warning countries against social security cuts to reduce public spending which could slow down or delay recovery. The ILO says social security encourages stability, but only about a fifth of the world has access.

China's Ministry of Housing and Urban Rural Development announced this week that purchases of housing by overseas organizations and individuals in the country would be capped or restricted, a move widely seen as combating speculative money from overseas that might flow into the property market.

Mercosur and European Union delegates are scheduled to meet at the end of the month or early December in Brasilia for a new round of talks leading to a wide ranging trade agreement which both sides have agreed should be ready to conclude negotiations in the first half of 2011.

Leading Latinamerican corporations and European investors will be participating in Madrid at the XII Latibex three-day forum organized by Spain’s securities markets.