International

• Saturday, May 30th 2009 - 15:29 UTC

  Euro zone with zero inflation and growing fears of deflation

  

  The Euro zone annual inflation rate in the 16-country region fell to 0% in May from April’s 0.6%, according to Euro-stat. Economists said inflation would turn negative in June, --deflation—further complicating the task of the European Central Bank as it attempts to combat the worst economic downturn for half a century.

• Friday, May 29th 2009 - 11:38 UTC

  Boreal summer and OPEC push oil to new six-month high

  

  Oil surged past 65 US dollars a barrel on Thursday to a fresh six-month high after OPEC decided to keep output unchanged and data showed a steep drop in US crude inventories.

• Friday, May 29th 2009 - 11:24 UTC

  ILO predicts 230 million jobless in 2009; Latam unemployment, 9%

  

  The International Labour Organization (ILO) is predicting global unemployment between 210 million and 239 million people in 2009 which represents a rate of 6.5% to 7.4%. Geneva based ILO made public Thursday its report on “Tackling The Global Jobs Crisis” in advance of the ILO annual conference, which begins June 3.

• Friday, May 29th 2009 - 11:18 UTC

  Next G20 summit will take place in Pittsburgh

  

  United States will host the next G20 summit of world leaders in September, the White House has confirmed. The meeting will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday 24 September and Friday 25 September.

• Friday, May 29th 2009 - 02:19 UTC

  South Atlantic islands preparing invasive species strategy

  

  A regional strategy for invasive species in the South Atlantic should be ready towards the end of the year, following the conclusion of the regional workshop on Ascension Island.

• Friday, May 29th 2009 - 01:58 UTC

  Gibraltar reviews sea patrol procedures to contain Spanish “incursions”

  

  In the wake of recent tense incidents at sea off Gibraltar with Spain, police and military planners have revisited the operating procedures for marine crews patrolling British waters, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.

• Friday, May 29th 2009 - 01:56 UTC

  British MPs expenses scandals forces more resignations

  

  Two more British Members of Parliament have succumbed to intense pressure over their expenses by saying they will not seek re-election. Tory backbencher Julie Kirkbride said the situation had become “unbearable” as she followed husband Andrew MacKay in announcing her departure from parliament at the next general election.

• Thursday, May 28th 2009 - 12:03 UTC

  Group of countries call of a quick Doha round deal to combat protectionism

  

  A group of exporting countries called this week for a deal in the World Trade Organization's long-running Doha round as the best way to tackle growing protectionism threats in the economic crisis.

• Thursday, May 28th 2009 - 07:20 UTC

  Britain’s smelliest cheese named “Stinking Bishop”

  

  Stinking Bishop has been officially voted Britain's most pungent cheese in the nation's first ever contest. Britain's Smelliest Cheese Championships were held at The Royal Bath and West Show in Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

• Wednesday, May 27th 2009 - 11:58 UTC

  Rio Tinto cuts iron ore prices to Japan steelmakers by 33%

  

  Rio Tinto has agreed to cut key iron ore prices to Japanese steelmakers by 33% in this year's first contract setting a benchmark. However China, the world’s leading consumer of iron ore is not expected to accept such a benchmark.