China National Offshore Oil Corp signed its 200th production-sharing contract with a foreign partner on Tuesday, teaming up with BP to drill in the South China Sea. The landmark demonstrates China?s drive to develop its own oil and gas resources at the same time as it buys into developments around the world. It also shows the enthusiasm of top international oil companies like BP, Shell and Exxon Mobil to deepen ties with the world?s fastest-growing oil market and consumer of over 10% of world supplies.
UK inflation in June rises to 14-mth high at 2.9%
Official figures show that inflation in Britain rose to a 14-month high of 2.9% in June. The increase from May?s 2.7% rate, reported on Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics, was slightly less than anticipated and may provide policymakers at the Bank of England some extra breathing space to work out what further measures they can take to help the British economy. Though growth in the first quarter measured a limp 0.3%, many analysts predict the figure set for release later this month will be more robust.
Cyberattack: South Korea blames Pyongyang
South Korean investi?gators on Tuesday blamed rival North Korea for a cyberattack last month on dozens
of South Korean media and government websites, including those of the president and prime minister. The biggest piece of evidence linking Pyongyang to the attacks on June 25, which marked the 63rd anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, was a North Korean internet protocol address found in some of the websites and malicious codes, South Korea?s ministry of science said.
Mexico captures leader of brutal Zetas drug cartel
The Mexican government said on Monday it captured the brutal leader of the Zetas drug cartel in an early-morning raid, marking the biggest victory for President Enrique Pena Nieto in his fight against gang violence. Marines arrested Miguel Angel Trevino, aka Z-40, after intercepting his pick-up truck with a helicopter a few miles (km) from his home town of Nuevo Laredo on the US border, government spokesman Eduardo Sanchez said in Mexico City.
Real Madrid world?s most valuable team: Forbes
Real Madrid headed a trio of European soccer clubs at the top of a list of the world?s 50 most valuable sports teams released by Forbes on Monday which was dominated by National Football League (NFL) franchises. The nine-times European champions were worth $3.3 billion, up from $1.88 billion last year, due in large part to increased revenue from deals with Adidas and Emirates Airlines, Forbes said. Manchester United (3.17 billion) swapped places with Real and sit in second spot while Spanish soccer champions Barcelona (2.6 billion) moved up five
