Mexico

31 Mar

UK agrees to join trans-Pacific trade pact

London, March 31 (IANS) The UK has decided to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Friday. This is its biggest trade deal since Brexit following 21 months of negotiations, reports Xinhua news agency. The UK will be the first new member since the creation of the CPTPP in 2018, and the first European country in the bloc. "Joining the CPTPP trade bloc puts the UK at the center of a dynamic and growing group of Pacific economies," said Sunak. "British businesses will now enjoy unparalleled access to markets from Europe to…

13 Jan

Global maritime piracy incidents hit lowest level in decades

London, Jan 13 (IANS) A total of 115 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported in 2022 globally, down from 132 incidents in 2021 and also the lowest recorded level since 1994, a global body has said. The latest report of the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reaching Xinhua news agency on Thursday revealed that pirates boarded 107 vessels in 2022, while there were five attempted attacks, one vessel fired upon, and two vessels hijacked. The "continued and much needed" reduction is attributed to an overall decrease in piratical activity in the highly risky waters of the Gulf…