International
InternationalUN Human Rights Commissioner warns of genocide threat
Cautioning that the threat of genocide still remains over half a century after millions of lives were brutally cut short by the Holocaust, the United Nations human rights chief said the memory of its victims should serve as a reminder of the need to act quickly and decisively at the first signs of such crimes.
Four Lords involved in alleged cash-for-influence row
Britain's Leader of the Lords has pledged to toughen up anti-sleaze rules after four peers were engulfed in a cash-for-influence row. Baroness Royall launched two parliamentary inquiries in the wake of “deeply shocking” allegations that Labour members were ready to change legislation in return for money.
Pfizer-Wyeth defy stress and merge into pharmaceutical giant
A pharmaceutical giant was created Monday after US drug maker Pfizer announced it would be acquiring Wyeth in a 68 billion US dollars merger deal that could spark hopes of further consolidation across the industry.
Low-oxygen areas in oceans linked to global warming
Unchecked global warming would leave ocean dwellers gasping for breath according to an article in the latest edition of Nature Geoscience. Dead zones are low-oxygen areas in the ocean where higher life forms such as fish, crabs and clams are not able to live. In shallow coastal regions, these zones can be caused by runoff of excess fertilizers from farming.
UN prepares to remember Victims of Holocaust Day
The Holocaust provides important lessons for the present, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday, stressing the necessity to bolster the forces of harmony and dialogue.
Unemployment in Spain reaches 13.9%, highest in 9 years
Unemployment in Spain during 2008 increased by 1.2 million, a 66.4% jump over 2007 taking the official rate to 13.9% which is the highest in 9 years according to the latest figures released by the country's Statistics Institute, INE.
UN Human Rights Commissioner hails Guantánamo decision
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed Thursday's decision by the new United States administration to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, as well as the decision to ban methods of interrogation that contravene international law.
FAO launches International Year of Natural Fibres
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched on Thursday the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of familiar natural resources such as cotton, flax, wool, alpaca and even cashmere, which are often taken for granted in the face of rising competition from synthetic materials.
Pod of 50 sperm whales stranded off Tasmania; 2 survive
A pod of 50 sperm whales beached themselves on Australia's southern island state of Tasmania overnight, but only two of the whales survived, wildlife officials said on Friday.
EU reintroduces export subsidies for dairy produce
The European Union has reintroduced export subsidies for dairy produce, arguing that the economic downturn has put many European farms at risk. The maximum refund for butter has been set at 500 Euros (£469; $650) per ton and the maximum for skimmed milk powder is 200 euros per ton. The last time such refunds were given to dairy farmers was in June 2007.
