Stories for July 31st 2013

Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 18:13 UTC
Marine antibiotic compound, anthracimycin could help fight new ‘super-bugs’

A completely new and unusual antibiotic compound has been extracted from a marine micro-organism found in sediments off the coast of California. The discovery of genuinely novel antibiotics is rare, and experts say resistance to the drugs poses a grave threat to human health.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 17:59 UTC
Pfizer agrees to pay 491m dollars to settle illegal marketing of Rapamune

US drug-maker Pfizer has agreed to pay 491 million dollars to settle a probe into illegal marketing of a drug by Wyeth, a firm it had acquired in 2009. The case revolved around Rapamune, a drug prescribed to prevent rejection of transplanted kidneys.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 17:13 UTC
Markets up after Fed confirms it will continue with 85bn monthly bonds’ purchase

US stocks extended gains in volatile trading on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve gave no hint that a reduction in the pace of its bond-buying program is imminent. In a statement following its two-day meeting, the Fed said the economy continues to recover but still needs support.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 16:54 UTC
Slightly encouraging signs from the EU in employment and manufacturing

The number of unemployed in the Euro-zone has fallen, slightly, for the first time since April 2011. The fall in June came amid brightening economic prospects, suggesting an end to the bloc’s stubborn recession.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 16:38 UTC
US economy performance better than expected; expansion in 2012 was 2.8%

The US economy grew at an annualised pace of 1.7% in the second quarter of the year, the Commerce Department has said. That was a faster pace than expected by economists. It was also up from the growth rate for the first three months of 2013, which was revised lower to 1.1% from 1.8%.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 16:34 UTC
The Times comes strongly in support of Gibraltar’s wish to be ruled from Britain

An editorial entitled ‘Spain should respect Gibraltarians’ wish to be ruled from Britain’ The Times on Tuesday sent one of its firmest views expressed in recent decades calling on Spain to form their policies around the concept of consent.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 16:28 UTC
Norwegian company converts fresh seaweed to dry powder for alginates in 24 hours

Norwegian company FMC Biopolymer converts seaweed to alginate for use in thousands of products with an advanced 24 hour chemical process. ABB has supplied process automation, motors and drives to FMC Biopolymer for more than 20 years.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 16:17 UTC
Vatican bank opens its books to comply with ‘honest and transparent’ promise

The Vatican bank opened its web site www.ior.va on Wednesday as it steps up efforts to improve its tarnished image after a succession of financial scandals and repeated criticisms of its lack of transparency.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 06:31 UTC
Paraguay downplays Mujica’s warning calling for a ‘pragmatic’ return to Mercosur

Paraguay’s incoming government foreign policy advisor Eladio Loizaga downplayed Mercosur veiled warning calling for a quick return of the country to the block because ‘Paraguay is landlocked and needs the Parana River and the River Plate to reach the sea’.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 06:23 UTC
Paraguay president Franco congratulates Mujica on his knowledge of geography

Paraguayan president Federico Franco replied to his Uruguayan peer Jose Mujica ironic remarks saying that ‘evidently he’s good at geography; I guess he passed with the highest grades’ since he is aware that Paraguay is a landlocked ‘Mediterranean’ country.