International

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 18:49 UTC

  Songbird wheatear breeds in the Artic, flies across the Atlantic to spend winter in Africa

  

  The sharp-eyed northern wheatear is a songbird that weighs a mere 25 grams, about the same as two tablespoons of flour. With its spindly legs, its muted white, brown and black colour, who would think such a lightweight capable of heroic endurance?

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 18:36 UTC

  German president resigns under pressure from strong corruption claims

  

  Germany's president resigned Friday in a scandal over favors he allegedly received before becoming head of state, and Chancellor Angela Merkel moved quickly to try and head off a domestic political crisis as she grapples with Europe's debt troubles.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:20 UTC

  Gold demand at 14 year high in 2011; China rapidly becoming top consumer

  

  Gold demand struck 14-year highs in 2011, driven by record investment, buying in China, which could overtake India this year as the world's top consumer, and central bank purchases, which hit their highest in at least 40 years, according to a report on Thursday.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:18 UTC

  HMS Protector meets RRS Ernest Shackleton in Antarctica

  

  Newly commissioned Royal Navy Ice patrol vessel HMS Protector met up with her sister ship, the RRS Ernest Shackleton, in Antarctica recently. Her role as Ice Patrol Ship is to: conduct hydrographical surveys; assist the British Antarctic Survey; conduct base inspections to support the Antarctic Treaty and patrol for unlicensed fishing and visitors

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 21:00 UTC

  UN postal union acquires world’s first postage stamp issued in 1840

  

  The United Nations postal union reported this week it has acquired what is probably the world’s best-known stamp – the Penny Black – which was issued 172 years ago and shows a profile image of United Kingdom’s Queen Victoria on a black background.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 20:12 UTC

  Moody warning on credit ratings of 17 global banks and 114 European financial institutions

  

  Moody's warned Thursday it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the Euro zone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 19:56 UTC

  Copy of telex with Argentine surrender and end of Falklands conflict June 1982, to be auctioned

  

  One of three copies of the telex signaling the end of the conflict between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands and other South Atlantic islands will be auctioned by Bonhams on the conflict’s 30th anniversary.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:16 UTC

  Brazil wants open selection process when Zoellick leaves World Bank presidency

  

  Brazil urged the World Bank on Wednesday to give proper consideration to developing country candidates to replace outgoing president Robert Zoellick and not just go with an American.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:47 UTC

  US disregards Argentine claim of UK’s Falklands’ and South Atlantic ‘militarization’

  

  It took a couple of days but finally on Wednesday US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the US “has no concerns” about the alleged ‘militarization’ of the South Atlantic which was denounced by Argentina last week before the United Nations at three different levels.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:32 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez to visit Piñera in Chile March 15 and 16

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernández will make an official visit to Chile next month, amidst a power struggle as both Argentina and the UK struggle to gather support from the international community in the Falklands/Malvinas Islands controversy.