International

Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 09:39 UTC
One in eight people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger, says FAO

One in eight people worldwide still suffers from chronic hunger, the UN's food agency said on Tuesday, describing the figure as “unacceptable” and warning that the fight against hunger was slowing down.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 09:29 UTC
With hunger, the only acceptable number is ”zero”

By Jose Graziano da Silva, Director General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization - Achieving the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving the prevalence of hunger in the world by 2015 is still within reach, but a strong, sustained acceleration of efforts is needed. Progress made in the fight against hunger since the middle of the last decade has lost steam, and it is time to regain momentum.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 09:25 UTC
Spanish parliament blocks Catalonia referendum on independence

Spain's parliament voted to block the northern region of Catalonia from holding a referendum on independence, the latest step in a growing political battle between Barcelona and Madrid in the midst of a deepening economic downturn.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 08:49 UTC
‘Hour of reckoning’ speech for Cameron’s future at Tory conference

Britain must cut its budget deficit and fix its economy or face long-term decline, Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron will say on Wednesday, seeking to convince voters that his austerity plan is the only way forward.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 01:20 UTC
French and US scientist share Nobel in Physics for pioneering work in quantum optics

Two scientists one French and an American won the Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for their pioneering work in quantum optics, a field that manipulates light and matter to measure very precise properties of single particles.
Wednesday, October 10th 2012 - 01:14 UTC
US universities top world ranking; Asia surging strongly but Latam disastrous

Untied States universities dominate the Times Higher Education global rankings for 2012-13, occupying seven of the top 10 spots, but Asian institutions are on the rise while only four Latin American figure among the best 400.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 21:21 UTC
Australia becomes world’s 12th economy ahead of Spain, Korea and Mexico

Australia has become the world's 12th biggest economy as it continues to out-grow recession-ravaged parts of Europe. New figures from the IMF confirmed Australia had replaced Spain as the 12th biggest economy as measured by GDP at market exchange rates.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 21:07 UTC
World Bank further lowers China’s growth prospect as Euro zone and US falter

World Bank has lowered its growth forecast for China citing weak demand for its exports and lower investment growth. The bank said it expects China's economy to grow by 7.7% this year, down from its projection of 8.2% in May.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 20:34 UTC
Economic downturn in Spain: Red Cross to make first ever public appeal

The Red Cross is to make its first ever public appeal in Spain to help those affected by the economic crisis. It will ask Spanish people to donate money to help 300.000 of the most vulnerable people.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 20:26 UTC
UK displays ‘red line’ in plan to merge defence giants EADS and BAE Systems

France and Germany must reduce their stakes in defence firm EADS if the UK is to allow a proposed merger with BAE Systems to go ahead, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said.