International

Wednesday, March 18th 2009 - 07:43 UTC
IMF forecasts 0.6% global contraction this year

The International Monetary Fund expects the global economy to contract 0.6% this year, according to forecasts provided on Tuesday by an IMF official in Lisbon.
Tuesday, March 17th 2009 - 13:45 UTC
UK Overseas Territory could loose self-government because of corruption

Self-government in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a UK dependency, is set to be suspended after ministers were accused of incompetence and likely corruption, reports BBC.
Tuesday, March 17th 2009 - 10:06 UTC
UN calls for higher priority for water on development agenda

Water must be given higher priority on the development agenda, a top United Nations official told a global gathering that opened today in Istanbul, stressing that the problems the world faces with regard to this precious resource are enormous.
Tuesday, March 17th 2009 - 10:04 UTC
UN “State of the World’s forests” dire forecast

The global economic turmoil has resulted in reduced demand for wood, shrinking investments in industries and forest management, according to this year’s United Nations “State of the World’s Forests” report.
Monday, March 16th 2009 - 14:57 UTC
UK: Air passengers fall amid downturn

Passenger numbers at UK airports fell last year for the first time since 1991. And the decline was particularly sharp in the final part of 2008 as the credit crunch started to bite, the figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) show.
Monday, March 16th 2009 - 08:56 UTC
OPEC: no further measures until full compliance of agreed oil cuts

Oil ministers from the 12 OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) meeting in the Austrian capital Vienna over the weekend decided to keep oil production at current levels.
Monday, March 16th 2009 - 08:49 UTC
Medieval document questions the “good” Robin Hood legend

Scottish expert has uncovered a medieval document suggesting negative attitudes towards Robin Hood. The story of how Robin and his men stole from the rich to give to the poor has long been part of English folklore.
Sunday, March 15th 2009 - 17:47 UTC
Chavez offers bases for Russian long-range bombers

A Russian general said on Saturday Venezuela has offered the use of its La Orchila island airfield for Russian strategic bombers on long-range flights.
Saturday, March 14th 2009 - 09:44 UTC
US and EU split over stimulus plans and banks

United Kingdom Chancellor Alistair Darling has played down talk of rifts between the US and Europe ahead of the G20 summit. Finance ministers from leading countries are gathering in London to agree the agenda for the summit of world leaders next month.
Saturday, March 14th 2009 - 09:38 UTC
Tax havens agree to relax bank secrecy laws

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed announcement that Switzerland is relaxing key bank secrecy laws as “the beginning of the end of tax havens.”