Stories for 2014

Wednesday, May 7th 2014 - 06:21 UTC
Live avian influenza virus discovered in Antarctica Adélie penguins

Researchers have found a new type of avian influenza virus in a group of Adélie penguins (pygoscelies adeliae) from Antarctica. Aeron Hurt, PhD, a senior research scientist at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne, Australia, said that this is the first time that a distinct, live flu virus has been found in these birds.
Wednesday, May 7th 2014 - 01:44 UTC
Falklands: Slow start but sprint finish for 2014 squid fishery

In the last 25 years, the squid fishery has been one of the major contributors to the economy of the Falkland Islands. It is unique in the world as about 80 per cent of the total annual catch is squid. Both Illex and Loligo squid have annual life cycles, with a new generation recruiting into the fishery every year
Wednesday, May 7th 2014 - 00:11 UTC
Vatican admits having defrocked 848 priests over ten years for sex abuse

For the first time, the Vatican has revealed a statistical picture of the internal fallout from the church's sex abuse epidemic. According to the Vatican's U.N. Ambassador Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Pope defrocked 848 priests over the past 10 years, and doled out lesser punishments to another 2,572 accused of molesting children. That includes punishments handed down by John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 22:52 UTC
Why hasn't the U.S. gone after Gazprom?

By John C.K. Daly - Amidst the deepening war of words over Moscow's annexation of Crimea, U.S. President Barack Obama on April 28 added more Russian individuals and companies to a sanctions list that already included influential members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle and Bank Rossiya, which has close ties to the Russian leadership.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 21:29 UTC
Uruguay to sign agreement with Brazil to boost the naval construction industry

Uruguay and Brazil will be signing this month an agreement to promote the development of Uruguay's naval construction industry, which has been described as one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, said Industry and Energy minister Roberto Kreimerman in Montevideo during the launching of a barge for the pulp industry.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 21:22 UTC
Three women become the first females to serve in a Royal Navy submarine

Three women have become the first females to serve in the Royal Navy Submarine Service: they are pioneering lieutenants Maxine Stiles, Alex Olsson and Penny Thackray, reports UK defense news.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 07:55 UTC
Mujica says Obama has 'his hands and feet tied' so that 'he can't do a thing'

Less than a week before meeting with Barack Obama in Washington, Uruguayan president Jose Mujica described his peer as a 'progressive leader who has his feet and hands tied” and described the fact he made it to the White House, a complete surprise, 'almost unconceivable'.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 07:49 UTC
Argentines pessimistic about jobs, household income and mid-term prospects

A pessimistic mood has taken over in Argentina, according to a recent public opinion poll and report on jobs, household income, and mid-term prospects, according to the latest economic expectations index, IGEE from the Catholic University supported by pollster TNS-Gallup.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 07:44 UTC
Time to end “war on drugs” and the “one-size-fits-all approach” says academic report

Global efforts to thwart the drugs trade have failed and the time has come for a radical rethink, according to a group of Nobel-prize winning economists, a former US secretary of state, the deputy prime minister of Britain and others.
Tuesday, May 6th 2014 - 06:46 UTC
Drought in Brazil hits hydropower and energy rationing is increasingly likely

With less than 40 days remaining before the country takes center stage as host of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazilian hydropower power operators are facing a severe drought that makes energy rationing an increasing likelihood.