International

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 21:17 UTC

  With inflation pressures ‘contained’, ECB leaves interest rates unchanged

  

  European Central Bank (ECB) has kept interest rates in the Euro zone unchanged at a record low 1%, despite fears of increasing inflation. Speaking at a press conference after the rate decision, the ECB president Jean-Claude Trichet claimed that inflation pressures remained contained.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 17:31 UTC

  British scientists develop blood test for the human version of BSE (mad cow)

  

  The first reliable blood test for the fatal Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) – said to be 100,000 times more accurate than the current method – has been developed by British scientists.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 17:05 UTC

  Air traffic strong recovery in 2010, but oil prices derail 2011 prospects

  

  Air traffic increased 8.2% in the passenger business and 20.6% in freight according to the full 2010 report from the International Air Transport Association, IATA. Middle-East, Asia-Pacific and Africa regions were above average in passenger transport and Latinamerica led in cargo expansion.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 16:40 UTC

  World food prices at historic peak in January seventh month running, says FAO

  

  World food prices surged to a new historic peak in January, for the seventh consecutive month, according to the updated FAO Food Price Index, a commodity basket that regularly tracks monthly changes in global food prices.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 06:31 UTC

  Cairo’s Tahir Square battle rages on; snipers shooting on protestors

  

  Gunfire has rung out in the early hours of Thursday around Cairo's Tahrir Square, where Egyptian anti-government protesters are camping out. At least two people are reported dead. On Wednesday three died in clashes with supporters of President Hosni Mubarak.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 01:53 UTC

  Spain’s second biggest bank boosted by strong Latin American profits

  

  BBVA, Spain's second-biggest bank, reported on Wednesday a full year 9.4% net profit increase in 2010 as solid results from Latin America offset continued weakness in its domestic market.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 01:50 UTC

  Spain celebrates 20th anniversary of Cervantes Institute in 44 countries

  

  Spain’s Cervantes Institute to promote Spanish language and culture is marking its 20th anniversary with more than 6,500 activities at the 77 centres is has opened in 44 countries and among this year’s plans is the inauguration of a centre in Gibraltar.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 01:47 UTC

  Major scientific feat: reactor turns solar energy into storable hydrocarbon fuel

  

  Researchers have unveiled a prototype reactor which mimics plant life, turning the Sun’s energy to make hydrocarbon fuel, according to an article published in the latest edition of Science.

• Thursday, February 3rd 2011 - 01:45 UTC

  Catholic Church admits values of Liberation theology, “free of ideological influences”

  

  The values of the Liberation Theology remain valid but the task of decoupling the option for the poor from ideological influences remains incomplete, said Brazilian Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz of Brasilia, head of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 21:23 UTC

  Uruguay will officially recognize a Palestinian state next March

  

  Uruguay will officially recognize a Palestinian sovereign state next March but will not announce position regarding borders said Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro addressing the Legislative standing committee.