International

• 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.

• Wednesday, May 27th 2009 - 06:32 UTC

  Oil prices climb to six-month high as US consumer confidence jumps

  

  Oil prices climbed on Tuesday to a new six-month high as traders viewed a jump in US consumer confidence as a signal for an economic rebound and increased energy demand. The rise comes ahead of OPEC’s meeting later this week in Vienna.

• Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:43 UTC

  OIE confirms impact of climate change on animal diseases

  

  The impact of climate change on the emergence and re-emergence of animal diseases has been confirmed in a worldwide study conducted by the World Organization for Animal Health, OIE. The announcement was done at the77th OIE General Assembly, Delegates of the 174 Member Countries and Territories as a warning to the International Community

• Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:22 UTC

  EU summit agrees to scrap (failed) rules on fishing quotas

  

  European fisheries ministers have concluded a meeting in Brussels with a consensus to effectively scrap current rules that decide fishing quotas. Environmentalists and fishermen alike have long argued the existing system - set annually - has failed the industry.

• Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 06:06 UTC

  Gibraltar’s enthusiasm to vote in June 4 Euro-Parliament elections

  

  Gibraltarians enthusiasm to vote and participate in politics will again be confirmed in the coming June Euro-elections. The Rock of Gibraltar lies at the tip of Spain and overlooks the north of Africa and on June 4 will help choose who represents South West England in the European Parliament.

• Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:56 UTC

  British cabinet ministers involved in controversial expenses

  

  British cabinet ministers including Chancellor Alistair Darling paid accountants thousands of pounds of public money to complete their personal tax returns, it has been reported.

• Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:55 UTC

  Saudis warn of another oil price spike within “two-to-three years”

  

  The world could face within “two-to-three years” another oil price spike similar to that witnessed in 2008, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said on Monday. Al-Naimi warned a meeting of Group of Eight ministers in Rome that the high-price scenario was likely unless investments in “new capacity expansion projects are made”.

• Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:53 UTC

  Tories declare Open Recruiting Day; 325 MPs could loose their seats

  

  Britain’s opposition leader David Cameron has invited ordinary members of the public to stand as Tory MPs amid warnings that half the House of Commons will drummed out at the next election over the expenses scandal, according to the Sunday edition of the Daily Mail.

• Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:50 UTC

  World Bank warns about unemployment and social upheaval

  

  The head of the World Bank has warned that the global economic crisis could lead to serious social upheaval. “If we do no take measures, there is a risk of a serious human and social crisis with very serious political implications,” Robert Zoellick said.

• Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:44 UTC

  Decline in freshwater fish took medieval Europe to the open seas

  Medieval European fishermen first took to the open seas in about AD1.000 as a result of a sharp decline in large freshwater fish, scientists have suggested. They say the decline was probably the result of rising population and pollution levels.