International

Friday, November 13th 2009 - 15:22 UTC
British Airways/Iberia merger will create Europe’s third largest airline

British Airways and Spanish airline Iberia say they have reached a preliminary agreement for a merger expected to be completed in late 2010. The merger, which must be approved by the European Commission, would create Europe's third biggest airline.
Under its terms, Iberia would take a 45% stake and BA, which last week reported a six-month pre-tax loss of £292m, a 55% stake in the company.
Friday, November 13th 2009 - 15:16 UTC
Lula da Silva, next to Shimon Peres, justifies Iran’s leader visit to Brazil

Brazil's President justified the scheduled visit of Iran's president in two weeks time and offered to mediate in the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine. Lula da Silva rejected criticism over the upcoming visit of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, slated for November 23, standing next to visiting Israeli president Shimon Peres.
Friday, November 13th 2009 - 15:06 UTC
Greenland loosing mass faster than anticipated

The Greenland ice sheet is losing mass faster than first thought, contributing to an increasing rate of sea level rise, according to a Bristol University scientist.
Friday, November 13th 2009 - 08:04 UTC
US and Japan record low interest rates funding global “carry trades”

The International Monetary Fund said that record low US interest rates are funding global “carry trades” and the dollar is still overvalued as concerns mount that new financial imbalances are forming.
Friday, November 13th 2009 - 01:08 UTC
Gibraltar Chief Minister upbeat about economic prospects for 2010

Gibraltar is not just having a relatively good level of economic activity during global recession and financial crisis, but is further positioning itself well to move into a significant new growth phase when the global economy and markets recover.
Friday, November 13th 2009 - 00:17 UTC
Gibraltar at UK & Ireland hall of the World Travel Market

Gibraltar is participating this week at the World Travel Market (WTM) at the ExCel exhibition centre in London. For the first time Gibraltar’s stand will be located in the United Kingdom & Ireland hall of the event.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 13:27 UTC
Record for gold on renewed economic recovery optimism

The gold rally resumed once more on Wednesday as prices rose more than 15 US dollars an ounce, spurred on by the US dollar’s seemingly endless decline, which continued as renewed optimism over the economic recovery led to dollar selling.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:52 UTC
UK and France work together for a world-wide arms trade treaty

The United Kingdom and France launched on Wednesday, Armistice Day, the idea of the need to negotiate a world-wide Arms Trade Treaty. Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner wrote a joint article on the subject published in the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:49 UTC
China’s strong economic data fuel annual growth prospect of 8%

The latest economic data from China suggests that industrial production grew year on year at a level faster than expected. Retail sales also rose by more than analysts had predicted, while consumer prices continued to fall.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:47 UTC
UK offers military land in Cyprus to help seal reunification deal

Britain has offered to give up half of the land occupied by its sovereign military bases in Cyprus if the divided island's leaders can seal a reunification deal. In an attempt to show they are serious about supporting a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem, Britain has renewed an offer to cede about half the territory of its bases in Cyprus.