Stories for February 2008

Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fidel Castro resigns as president of Cuba, Gramma published

Ailing leader Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president from nearly a half-century early Tuesday, saying in a letter published in online official media that he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Visiting British MPs congratulate Falklands politicians

VISITING British Members of Parliament have congratulated the Falkland Islands Government on their “high standard of administration.”
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Russia plants flag in sea bed ratifying Antarctica ambition

Six months after having planted the tricolor flan in the geographic North Pole, Russia has done the same in the southern Pole in a clear expression of its renewed ambitions in Antarctica and its natural resources.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Giant sea spiders and huge worms located in Antarctic waters

Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica said this week they have collected mysterious creatures, including giant sea spiders and huge worms in the murky depths.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Heathrow is Europe's airport with the most delays

The world's busiest airport, London Heathrow, saw more delays than any other major European airport last year - for the second consecutive year according to a report from the Association of European Airlines, AEA, released this week.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Soaring food prices contribute to China's record Jan inflation

Chinese inflation hit an 11-year high in January after rising price pressures were exaggerated by fierce snow storms, official figures show. Soaring food prices were largely blamed for pushing consumer inflation up to 7.1% last month, from 6.5% in December.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Sustainability is Antarctica's tourism main challenge

“Antarctica is the ultimate destination for anyone interested in natural history but it also challenges those people who visit to think broadly about our responsibilities to all life on Earth.” That's the view of Dr Robert Lambert, a lecturer on Tourism and the Environment at The University of Nottingham, who has just returned from the Antarctic in his role as an Observer for the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Korea plans second permanent station close to South Pole

The Korean government announced this week plans to set up a second research station in Antarctica to expand operations. The project should be completed by 2011.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina, first step to Arab-Latam leaders' summit

Argentina will host this week a meeting of Foreign Affairs ministers from Latinamerica and the Arab countries (ASPA), an idea promoted by the Brazilian diplomacy to expand economic and trade links and strengthen political ties between the two regions.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
On fears of OPEC cut, crude soars to record 101 US dollars

Crude oil rose for a fourth day and closed Tuesday at a record 101.01 US dollars in New York on fears that OPEC might reduce output and growing concern over supplies from Venezuela, Nigeria and Russia.