
Capitalizing on the wave of international admiration for the miners’ rescue, Chilean President Sebastian Piñera began Monday in 10 Downing Street his official two day visit to Great Britain underlining the close links and longstanding alliance between Chile and Britain.

A senior IMF official tried to dampen talk of a global currency war, while China said it will stick to a gradual reform of its currency.

Capital flooding into Asia could lead to excessive exchange-rate moves, asset bubbles and financial instability, Domnique Strauss-Khan, the head of the International Monetary Fund, said in Shanghai Monday.

Chile and Britain’s friendship has deep historical roots and is projected into the future, said Chilean president Sebastian Piñera in London who on Monday is scheduled to meet PM David Cameron and later a trip to Buckingham palace for an audience with the Queen.

UN countries began to find common ground on some important and deep-seated problems contributing to global hunger, at a meeting of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) in Rome.

As the United Kingdom reviews the strength of its armed forces amid severe Government economic cuts, the Secretary of State for Defence, Doctor Liam Fox, has declared that the defence of the Falkland Islands remains strong.

Alcohol, mainly wine has become cheaper than bottled water in New Zealand, a study showed Friday, with researchers warning there could be major implications for public health. However an independent television news investigation questioned the report.

A senior RAF officer has warned that cuts to military aircraft numbers would leave the United Kingdom vulnerable to attack. Air Marshal Timo Anderson, director general of the Military Aviation Authority, addressed MPs in a private talk, and gave a stark assessment on cuts expected to be outlined next week.

China should make concessions to avoid escalating foreign exchange tensions turning into a trade war German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

China is trying to avoid a currency war, but issues concerning any specific currency should not be treated as part of an agenda at G20 meetings, a Chinese G20 negotiator said.