International

Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UN admits human rights protection is far from achieved

The international community has not lived up to the vision held in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a ceremony on Wednesday marking the 60th anniversary of the landmark document.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Russia/Argentina sign “strategic alliance” and criticize US

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner called for a closer partnership with Russia at Kremlin talks on Wednesday, implying criticism to the United States perceived dominance of world affairs.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Germany/UK clash over origin of crisis and Keynes legacy

The German finance minister has launched an outspoken attack on the UK government's plans to help pull Britain out of the economic downturn. In an unusual breach of standard diplomacy, Peer Steinbruck attacked the UK's decision to cut VAT and raise the national debt to record levels.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Putin's Russia supports Argentina's Falklands claim

Russia openly supported Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute with Britain in the joint statement following the meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner with counterpart Dmitri Medvedev.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Royal Navy cash saving review delays building of carriers

Britain's Royal Navy two new aircraft carriers are likely to be delayed by up to two years following a cash-saving review of Ministry of Defence equipment spending, it was announced this week.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
German economy forecasted to contract 2.2% next year

Germany's Munich based Ifo (Institute for Economic Research) expects the German economy to contract 2.2% in 2009 and continue falling into the following year, according to a forecast published on Thursday.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Global oil demand forecasted to drop, first time since 1983

Global oil demand will contract this year for the first time since 1983 shrinking by 200.000 barrels per day, with the total revised down to 85.8 million barrels per day according to the monthly report from the International Energy Agency.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Tentative agreement for second EU Ireland referendum

The way could be cleared for Ireland to hold a second referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty by October 2009, a draft statement by EU leaders said Thursday.

The statement grants several major concessions to Dublin in an effort to convince Irish voters of the merits of adopting the reforming treaty, which attempts to streamline decision-making within the 27-member bloc.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil demands leadership from Obama on trade

Brazil said on Thursday that global trade talks need a strong signal from US President-elect Barack Obama to save them from failure. Brazilian Minister Celso Amorim made the announcement after meeting with World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy in Geneva.
Thursday, December 11th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bribes and business: Russia and China set the pace

Companies from emerging economies such as Russia and China are more likely to pay bribes when doing business in other countries, a survey claims.