
Fiat is eyeing US auto giant General Motors' operations in Latin America as well as those in Europe (Opel) and discussions on a possible deal are under way, an industry source said Tuesday.

Uruguay’ Foreign Affairs official rejection of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad latest statements regarding Israel and the Holocaust have caused “disappointment” in certain groups of the ruling coalition since they believe the government “caved in to lobbying from the local Israelite Committee”, reports the Montevideo press.

Canada pledged on Tuesday it would launch a World Trade Organization challenge of the European Union's planned ban on seal products, unless the EU agrees to exempt humane and sustainable sealing.

A senior member of the British Royal Family has privately expressed support for Joanna Lumley's campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, the actress revealed. Ms Lumley told a committee of MPs she had received a letter of support from a royal but would not name them.

Spain made a formal complaint to the United Kingdom and the United States over the manner in which the tax information agreement was signed on March 31 between Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana and United States Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in London ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit.

The European Union is forecasted to contract 4% in 2009, which is double what was announced at the beginning of the year. Average unemployment is set to rise to 9.4% this year and could reach 10.9% in 2010, while government deficits inside the 27-member union will average 6% of GDP, twice the figure allowed for Euro area countries and used as a marker for the rest of the union.

London has been named the dirtiest city in Europe for the second year running, in a new poll. It was also seen as the most expensive city on the continent and as having the most tourist traps and the worst-dressed locals, according to the latest TripAdvisor.

British Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt begun on Monday an official three-day visit to Chile invited by the Chilean Army.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cancelled on Monday a trip to Brazil this week without explanation amid criticism in Teheran from the country’s clerical leader and US concern about Iran’s growing influence in Latin America.

British senior ministers have insisted Gordon Brown is the best man to lead the Labour Party, after criticism of the government from inside the cabinet. Both Health Secretary Alan Johnson and Justice Secretary Jack Straw defended the prime minister's leadership, at the end of a tough week for the government.