International

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  EU agriculture reform blueprint passes first test

  

  European Union farm ministers gave a fairly warm welcome this week to a blueprint for reforming agriculture policy, focusing on ideas for making countries spend more on rural development and planned subsidy ceilings for large farms.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  EU warns China of “backlash” if trade gap persists

  The European Union trade commissioner warned that China needs to close the trade gap if it wants to prevent a backlash in Europe. Peter Mandelson said that China has become the EU largest trading partner and this status must make Beijing assume “real responsibilities”.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Billinton insists with Rio Tinto and making giant company

  

  Resources giant BHP Billiton said Wednesday it still hoped rival Rio Tinto would warm to its uninvited takeover bid, despite opposition from customers who fear it will lead to a stranglehold on prices.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  UK house prices fall at fastest rate since 1995 in November

  

  United Kingdom house prices fell at their fastest rate for more than 12 years during November, according to Nationwide Building Society. The average cost of a home in the UK dropped by 0.8% during the month, almost wiping out October's unexpected jump of 1.1%.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  China agrees to eliminate industrial sectors' subsidies

  

  United States Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced Thursday that China has agreed to terminate subsidies that the US alleged were illegal under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

• Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Carbon emissions: “responsibility” lies with rich countries

  

  Days before a major international conference on climate change Brazil again insisted in its opposition to imposing targets on developing countries' carbon emissions arguing the main responsibility falls on developed nations.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Royal Navy launches third and most potent Type 45 destroyer

  

  The Royal Navy's newest and most powerful Type 45 destroyer “Diamond” was launched Tuesday from BAE's shipyard at Govan, on the Clyde, Scotland. Several thousand members of the public attended the launch, including over three thousand local school children.

• Tuesday, November 27th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  “Queen Victoria” royalty christening next December 10

  

  One of the most highly anticipated new-builds of 2007 has inched closer to entering the ranks of British royalty. On Saturday, November 24, the 90,000-ton, 2,014-passenger Queen Victoria officially became part of the Cunard family in a handover ceremony at Venice's Fincantieri Marghera shipyard.

• Monday, November 26th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Scientists propose “save the oceans” ten year program

  

  Warming seas, over-fishing and pollution mean it is vital to improve the system for monitoring the world's oceans, says a group of distinguished scientists. The researchers say more data is needed to ensure the world is able to respond effectively to any potential threats.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Australia chooses Labor and a generational change

  

  Australia's Labor leader Kevin Rudd, a Mandarin speaking former diplomat, swept into power at a national election Saturday on a wave of support for generational change, ending 11 years of conservative rule.