International

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 02:33 UTC

  Taiwan and China Open Tourism Offices in Beijing and Taipei

  

  Taiwan set up its first government office in China this week sending a strong sign of improved relations following decades of hostilities that saw little official contact while the two sides stood at the brink of war.

• Thursday, May 6th 2010 - 00:20 UTC

  Greenpeace Condemns Spain's Fishing “Armada” for Plundering World Oceans

  

  Spain's fishing fleet, Europe's largest, is using massive European Union (EU) subsidies to “plunder” the oceans of the world, environmental group Greenpeace charged this week.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 23:53 UTC

  UK Hung Parliament, 43% or Tories, 36% Anticipates The Guardian/ICM Poll

  

  All three British main parties will have reason to be disappointed if the Guardian/ICM eve-of-poll survey is reflected in election results Thursday night. The Conservatives are set to fall well short of the convincing majority that, not long ago, seemed within their grasp. Labour faces one of its lowest votes of modern times and the Liberal Democrats may fail to make their hoped-for breakthrough to second place.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 23:03 UTC

  European Farmers up in Arms Against Resumption of EU/Mercosur Talks

  

  France’s main farmers’ organization, FNSEA, called Wednesday on President Nicolas Sarkozy to pressure upon the European Community to impede the re-launching of negotiations for a free trade agreement with Mercosur

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 21:28 UTC

  Fresh Volcanic Ash Cloud Delay Hundreds of Flights in Scotland and Ireland

  

  Thousands of passengers are facing long delays after airports in Scotland and Ireland closed because of a fresh cloud of volcanic ash from Iceland. Flights have been grounded in Glasgow, Prestwick and Derry since 0700 BST, while the airspace over Dublin, Belfast and Edinburgh has also since closed.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 21:26 UTC

  Homosexuals Campaign Against Lula da Silva’s Visit to Iran

  

  A Brazilian non government organization which defends the rights of homosexuals launched a campaign to protest President Lula da Silva’s visit to Iran scheduled for next May 15.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 21:19 UTC

  France Demands “Fair and Prompt” Compensation for Bolivian Nationalizations

  

  France's government demanded “fair and prompt” compensation from Bolivia for the nationalization of a power plant half-owned by French utility GDF Suez (EPA:GSZ).

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:35 UTC

  Greek Aid Package Hard to Sell: Stock Markets World Wide Fall Sharply

  

  Stock markets fell sharply Tuesday as concerns about high levels of European government debt continue to shake investor confidence. The Euro fell to a 13-month-low against the dollar, dropping to 1.3004, after earlier slipping below the 1.30 mark.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:33 UTC

  Australia Raises Interest Rate for the Sixth Time in Eight Months

  

  Australia's central bank has raised interest rates for the sixth time in eight months as the country's economy continues to recover. The target interest rate is now at 4.5%—up from 3% in October last year.

• Wednesday, May 5th 2010 - 06:28 UTC

  EU Anticipates Further Regulation for Credit Rating Agencies

  

  A European Commissioner has warned it may be necessary to further regulate the role of credit rating agencies. Michel Barnier, in charge of revamping financial services, told the European Parliament he had been surprised by the rapid deterioration of Greece's rating.