International

Monday, June 18th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
QE2 “retires” to Dubai's world wonder Palm Jumeirah

Cunard liner QE2 is to cease ocean cruises and become a luxury floating hotel. The 70,000-ton vessel, launched by the Queen Elizabeth in 1967 and which carried millions across the Atlantic, is to be sold to the Dubai World company in an estimated 100 million US dollars deal.
Monday, June 18th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Moscow and London, most expensive cities in the world

Moscow is the world's most expensive city for expatriates for the second consecutive year, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Asuncion, Paraguay is the least expensive city for the fifth year running.
Sunday, June 17th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
OPEC argues world oil stocks “remain at comfortable levels”

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC continues to monitor global oil markets and is prepared to help mitigate any tightness but the level of 30 million barrels a day ensures that commercial oil stocks remain at comfortable levels for the time being, said OPEC's Secretary General in Vienna.
Sunday, June 17th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Endangered species forum dominated by budget row

A budget row dominated the final day of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) forum held in The Hague, reports the BBC. Member states approved a cut in real terms in CITES' budget, which could compromise attempts to control the illegal wildlife trade.
Sunday, June 17th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
“Landmark entry” into force of global health regulations

The United Nations health agency announced the “landmark” entry into force this week of a set of regulations aimed at making the world more secure from threats to global health, while minimizing disruption to travel, trade and economies.
Thursday, June 14th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
In Chile it's 14 times better to be an executive than a worker

A recent study by the Mercer Human Resource Consulting (MHRC) group found that the average executive salary in Chile is 14 times greater than the average worker paycheck.
Wednesday, June 13th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
WHO report on the impact of environmental factors on health

The World Health Organization (WHO) released this week the first ever country-by-country analysis of the impact environmental factors have on health. The data show huge inequalities but also demonstrate that in every country, people's health could be improved by reducing environmental risks including pollution, hazards in the work environment, UV radiation, noise, agricultural risks, climate and ecosystem change.
Tuesday, June 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Global military spending increase 37% in 10 years

Global military spending rose 3.5% last year to $1.2 trillion (610 billion pounds) as U.S. costs for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan mounted, a European research body said on Monday in an annual study.
Tuesday, June 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
UK inflation slows to 2.5% in May but still above target

United Kingdom's rate of inflation slowed in May to 2.5%, the weakest level in seven months, according to figures from the Statistics Office. Inflation in April was 2.8%.
Monday, June 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
UN forum spotlights need to manage fish genetic resources

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization called for better policies to conserve fish genetic resources and enhance global food security, warning of the adverse environmental and social impacts of failing to do so.