International

Monday, April 4th 2011 - 04:19 UTC
FAO alerts on three pesticides and industrial chemicals

United Nations chemical experts have recommended that two pesticides - endosulfan and azinphos methyl - and one severely hazardous pesticide formulation - Gramoxone Super - be included in the Rotterdam Convention's Prior Informed Consent procedure.
Monday, April 4th 2011 - 01:55 UTC
Almost half of China’s dairies closed down following quality inspections

Nearly half of China's 1,176 dairies are being shut down after failing to obtain new licences, the country's quality inspection agency says. It says that 533 dairy producers have been ordered to halt productions after a government safety audit.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 20:37 UTC
Spain’s Prince Felipe recalls Gibraltar at state dinner for Prince of Wales

Spain’s longstanding claim over the sovereignty of Gibraltar looked destined to continue into the next generation of Spanish politics as the heir to the Spanish throne, the Prince of Asturias, used a state dinner for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to reiterate Spain’s desire to ‘progress’ on Gibraltar.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 19:36 UTC
Malvinas are Argentine for ever and “we will never yield in our claim”

“The Malvinas are Argentine for ever” and this government “will never yield in our claim” promised President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during the main commemoration of the Malvinas war Fallen and Veterans Day in Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz province.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 18:47 UTC
Desperate call from FAO for aid to North Korea to combat spread of FMD

Around one million US dollars of equipment and vaccines are urgently needed to help stem outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in North Korea, where farm animals are crucial to food security, the United Nations warned.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 17:43 UTC
FMD outbreak in South Korea under control, but Seoul now faces bird flu

South Korea is moving to stem future cases of bird flu as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks have been largely put under control, the government.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 17:39 UTC
Spanish Socialist PM steps down from 2012 re-election bid

The Socialist Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, says he will not seek a third term in the country’s general election next year. Spain is in the midst of a deep recession. At 20% it has the highest unemployment rate in the Euro zone.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 17:36 UTC
US proposes regulating calorie labelling on menus in chain restaurants

The United States Food and Drug Administration, FDA, issued proposals for regulating calorie labelling on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, retail food establishments, and vending machines.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:53 UTC
The delicate balance of ‘cooperation’ and ‘competition’ between China and Brazil

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff and her Chinese peer Hu Jintao will address the Libyan crisis and other issues related to the Chinese currency, Yuan, which has Brazilian manufacturers most concerned, anticipated the Brazilian Foreign Affairs ministry.
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 - 06:41 UTC
Syrian security forces fire on anti government protests; at least seven killed

At least seven people have been killed in another day of anti-government protests in several Syrian cities, activists have said. Protest marches against Baath Party rule broke out in cities in the north and south after Friday prayers, including in the flashpoint city of Daraa.