International

Sunday, September 13th 2015 - 12:23 UTC
Sperm whales are highly communicative but have different 'dialects'

Sperm whales are very social marine animals and they travel in close groups and communicate by using a pattern of clicks, also known as codas. Similar to humans, the whales use varying dialects worldwide. A recent study of two sperm whale clans living in fairly close proximity off the Galápagos Islands sheds light on animal cultures.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 11:44 UTC
World shock reaction to Lopez sentencing; supporters call for peaceful protests

Supporters rallied around the wife of Venezuela's opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez on Friday, calling for peaceful protests as he was sentenced to nearly 14 years in jail for his role in deadly anti-government demonstrations last year. The European Union joined in denouncing a “harsh” verdict, while Washington said it was “deeply troubled” by the treatment of the US-trained economist.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 11:27 UTC
First landing ever in St Helena airport scheduled for next week as part of calibration flights

A historic milestone is set to be reached next week when a Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft is due to land at the new St Helena Airport to carry out a series of calibration flights. This will be the first aircraft to land on St Helena, the island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 10:26 UTC
Cuba plans to release 3.522 prisoners ahead of Pope's visit this month

State-run newspaper “Granma” reported that Cuba would release 3,522 prisoners three days ahead of the September 19-22 visit by Pope Francis. However Cuban officials, who officially deny that the country has political prisoners, said they would not release inmates convict of crimes against state security.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 10:18 UTC
Gibraltar: Elizabeth “our Queen by invitation and not by imposition; twice voted”

The Queen of Gibraltar and the Rock’s evacuation generation were honoured on National Day Thursday by thousands of Gibraltarians who crammed into Casemates Square dressed in red and white.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 09:59 UTC
UK offshore oil sector lost 65.000 jobs; industry's challenge: taking a barrel's operational cost to £15

The contraction of Britain's offshore oil sector has already stripped out 65,000 jobs, according to a new report. The calculation of a 15% drop since the start of last year came from the annual economic impact report of trade body Oil and Gas UK.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 09:51 UTC
Germany warns global economy faces financial bubble: too much central banks stimuli

The global economy faces a financial bubble from central banks pumping cash into economies, Germany's finance minister has warned. The comments come after the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would extend its stimulus program if needed.
Saturday, September 12th 2015 - 09:44 UTC
Seventh meeting of Cristina Fernandez and Francis, this time in Cuba

Argentine president Cristina Fernández has formally accepted an invitation by her Cuban counterpart Raul Castro to attend a mass Pope Francis will deliver in the Plaza de La Revolucion in Havana on September 20.
Friday, September 11th 2015 - 10:24 UTC
Murdoch's Fox takes control of National Geographic Society for US$ 725m

The National Geographic Society sold its iconic yellow-bordered magazine and other media assets to Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox for $725 million, the companies announced Wednesday. National Geographic Society, which found the magazine in 1888, has chosen to sell the publication amid slumping circulation and advertising sales.
Friday, September 11th 2015 - 09:58 UTC
FAO's August Food Price Index at its lowest in almost seven years

International food commodity prices continued to decline in August as ample supplies, a slump in energy prices and concerns over China's economic slowdown all contributed to the sharpest fall of the FAO Food Price Index in almost seven years.