International

Thursday, October 29th 2009 - 06:54 UTC
EC approves UK’s Northern Rock split into a “good” bank and a “bad” bank

The European Commission has approved the Government's plans for splitting United Kingdom’s Northern Rock in two: a “good” bank and a “bad” bank. The “good” bank will continue Northern Rock's economic activities, while the “bad” bank will become in effect an asset management company running down the remaining toxic assets.
Thursday, October 29th 2009 - 06:48 UTC
Spanish mayor promises closer people to people relations with Gibraltar

Alejandro Sanchez the newly elected mayor of La Linea, the Spanish city next to Gibraltar, has declared he wants to intensify cross border relations and foster increased contacts between groups, associations and professional bodies on both sides of the frontier.
Thursday, October 29th 2009 - 05:16 UTC
EU adopts new tools to fight illegal fishing

The European Commission (EC) adopted a regulation establishing the implementing rules to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This norm had been approved in 2008 by the European Union (EU) ministers.
Thursday, October 29th 2009 - 02:32 UTC
Massive support for French farmers; Sarkozy blasts commodities speculation

French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced a 650-million Euro exceptional aid plan for France's subsidized but still struggling farmers, along with one billion Euros in cheap loans. He also called on the European Commission to limit market speculation on agricultural commodities prices.
Wednesday, October 28th 2009 - 14:26 UTC
Science explains why red wine with red meat, white wine with fish

A team of Japanese scientists found the scientific reason for one of the rules of thumb about the pairing between wine and food: “Red wine with red meat, white wine with fish”.
Wednesday, October 28th 2009 - 14:19 UTC
US pushing for a stronger Yuan, but China remain reluctant

The United States welcomes the rise in the Yuan's exchange rate in recent years but wants the currency to climb further, visiting Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. However, a Chinese trade official said that despite pressure for the Yuan to appreciate, the currency would probably not see a major adjustment until the country's exports improve noticeably.
Wednesday, October 28th 2009 - 07:21 UTC
World’s largest cruise vessel, 225.282 tons delivered to Royal Caribbean

The final pieces are falling into place for “Oasis of the Seas” with the ship's future owners Royal Caribbean and homeport Fort Lauderdale in Florida State poised to introduce the world to the largest cruise ship ever built.
Wednesday, October 28th 2009 - 07:10 UTC
New Gibraltar governor ratifies UK support for self determination and defence

The new and modern Constitution “reaffirms the right of the people of Gibraltar to self-determination and the British Government’s commitment to uphold that right” said Sir Adrian Johns this week on the Swearing in Ceremony as Gibraltar’s 64th governor.
Tuesday, October 27th 2009 - 07:46 UTC
China launches stock market to help finance new industries

China is launching its long-awaited Nasdaq-style stock market in the southern city of Shenzhen. Twenty eight small- and medium-sized enterprises are expected to debut on the new exchange.
Tuesday, October 27th 2009 - 07:42 UTC
ING group to split banking and life insurance operations

Dutch ING Group on Monday announced that it will move towards a complete separation of its banking and life insurance operations. ING which was bailed out by the Dutch government said it would dispose of its insurance operations over the next four years and raising 7.5 billion Euros in a rights issue.