International

Friday, August 7th 2015 - 05:18 UTC
Scottish lab identifies “super-algae” to make bio-fuels for vehicles and aircraft

Researchers at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) have unlocked a treasure chest of ‘super-algae’ that could provide a previously untapped source of oil. Using a newly devised technique, scientists examined micro-algae strains in the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), an internationally important algal store based at SAMS in Oban, to find out which ocean-based strains had the highest oil content.
Thursday, August 6th 2015 - 08:11 UTC
NIESR 2015 global economic growth forecast lowered from 3.2% to 3%

Global economic growth will slow this year to the lowest rate since the financial crisis, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The think tank cut its 2015 forecast to 3.0% from the 3.2% it predicted in May.
Thursday, August 6th 2015 - 05:31 UTC
Researchers identify characteristics of fish most vulnerable to trawlers

Using laboratory-based experiments, researchers have identified the common characteristics of fish most vulnerable to being caught by trawlers. They found fish that were less able to produce fast burst-type swimming to evade capture were more likely to end up in trawlers' nets.
Thursday, August 6th 2015 - 05:22 UTC
Ukraine conflict: France reimburses Russia for two helicopter carriers

A deal has been agreed in which Russia will receive compensation for France's decision last year to cancel the sale of two warships. France will fully refund Russia for the two helicopter carriers. The deal was worth €1.2bn ($1.3bn) and Russia made an advance payment of about €840m.
Thursday, August 6th 2015 - 04:33 UTC
It's official: wing segment is from the missing Malaysia airlines Flight MH370

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak confirmed on Wednesday that a Boeing 777 wing segment discovered in the Indian Ocean island of Reunion is from the missing Flight MH370, the first real breakthrough in the search for the plane that disappeared 17 months ago.
Thursday, August 6th 2015 - 03:47 UTC
Rio 2016: The greatest sport festivity in the heart of Brazil

By Dilma Rousseff (*) - We are still one year away from it, but Brazil's heart is already beating faster.The generous Brazilian heart leaps up when confronted with two of its passions -- welcoming people from all over the world and competing with enthusiasm and fair play in a superb sport performance.
Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 08:13 UTC
Galapagos penguin numbers recovering with shifts in trade winds and ocean currents

Shifts in trade winds and ocean currents powered a resurgence of endangered Galapagos Penguins over the past 30 years, according to a new study led by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). These changes enlarged a cold pool of water the penguins rely on for food and breeding-an expansion that could continue as the climate changes over the coming decades, according to the study.
Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 07:49 UTC
German Executive and Judiciary clash over freedom of the press: top prosecutor sacked

Germany's justice minister has sacked the country's top prosecutor, who had accused the government of interfering with a treason investigation. Heiko Maas said he no longer had confidence in Harald Range, dismissing his statements as “incomprehensible”.
Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 07:25 UTC
UK government begins sale of rescued RBS, but a third below the price it paid

The British government has begun its sell-off of shares in part-nationalized lender Royal Bank of Scotland, raising £2.1bn, a third below the price it paid. It sold a 5.4% stake at 330p a share, a 7.6p discount on Monday's closing price.
Tuesday, August 4th 2015 - 09:35 UTC
UK landlords must evict illegal immigrants under new legislation

Landlords in England will be expected to evict tenants who lose the right to live in the UK under new measures to clamp down on illegal immigration. They will be able to end tenancies, sometimes without a court order, when asylum requests fail, ministers say.