International

• Tuesday, October 20th 2009 - 07:35 UTC

  Chinese economy performing better than expected

  

  The Chinese economy grew above 7% in the first nine months of the year and is poised to surpass the 8% expansion target for this year, according to a top official from the financial sector speaking in Beijing.

• Monday, October 19th 2009 - 12:31 UTC

  Gibraltar/Spain implementing practical aspects of “normal cooperation”

  

  A “hotline” between Gibraltar and Algeciras, Spain, for emergencies, the opening of a Cervantes Institute and cooperation in other fields were some of the results of the Forum for Dialogue on Gibraltar which met last Friday in the Foreign Office in London.

• Saturday, October 17th 2009 - 10:32 UTC

  FIFA orders disciplinary investigation into Maradona’s comments

  

  FIFA president Joseph Blatter announced Friday from Cairo that the disciplinary committee of the world organization would open a case on Argentine coach Diego Maradona’s comments following the qualifier victory over Uruguay last Wednesday.

• Saturday, October 17th 2009 - 10:27 UTC

  US criticizes China’s Yuan “rigidity” and reserves accumulation

  

  The US Treasury has criticised China for what it described as the lack of flexibility of the Chinese currency, the Yuan. It also criticised the rapid build-up of China's foreign exchange reserves in a report to the US Congress.

• Saturday, October 17th 2009 - 10:26 UTC

  UK Revenue looking into tax affaire of 27 Members of Parliament

  

  The tax affairs of 27 British Members of Parliament are being investigated following inspections of their taxpayer-funded expenses payouts, it has emerged. It follows a warning from the head of HM Revenue and Customs Dave Hartnett in July that politicians would be placed under increased scrutiny in the wake of the exposure of their claims.

• Friday, October 16th 2009 - 09:13 UTC

  Hong Kong apartment establishes new record price: 57 million USD

  

  A wealthy Chinese buyer has snapped up a luxury Hong Kong apartment for 57 million US dollars, thought to be a record price. The five-bedroom home is believed to be Asia's most expensive property - with each sq foot costing 9,200 USD.

• Friday, October 16th 2009 - 06:57 UTC

  South Georgia toothfish fishery recertified with flying colours

  

  The South Georgia toothfish fishery has been recertified as a sustainable and well-managed fishery following its five-yearly Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) re-assessment, reports the September edition of the South Georgia Newsletter.

• Friday, October 16th 2009 - 06:51 UTC

  Spanish mayor calls for “extraordinary relations” with the Gibraltar government

  

  Spain’s La Linea (*) new Mayor Alejandro Sanchez wants to have “extraordinary relations with the Gibraltar Government, the opposition and the rest of the Rock’s political class,” he said to the Gibraltar Chronicle, minutes after his election.

• Friday, October 16th 2009 - 04:33 UTC

  Overwhelming support for Brazil as member of the UN Security Council

  

  Bosnia, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria were elected Thursday to non-permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. They will serve two-year terms starting January 1 and will participate in decisions ranging from deploying U.N. peacekeepers to imposing sanctions.

• Thursday, October 15th 2009 - 12:13 UTC

  India and Argentina sign nuclear cooperation and trade agreements

  

  India and Argentina signed a civil nuclear pact and nine other agreements to help boost bilateral trade and investment. Argentine President, Ms Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, on a state visit to India, signed the agreements after extensive discussions with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.