
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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thousands turned out on the banks of the Clyde in Scotland to cheer on the latest ship to make up the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyer class. Defender sailed for the first time this week.

The UK is now in the grip of the longest recession since records began, according to gloomy official figures. Hopes for an end to the recession were scuppered as the economy shrank by a shock 0.4% between July and September - a record sixth quarter in a row of decline.