International

• 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.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 07:00 UTC

  Obama message to Mubarak: orderly political transition “must begin now”

  

  US President Barack Obama has said an orderly political transition “must begin now” in Egypt and lead to free and fair elections. His statement followed the announcement by Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak that he would not stand for re-election.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 06:56 UTC

  Six candidates to fill the post of FAO Director General

  

  Six candidates have been put forward by member nations of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to succeed Senegalese Jaques Diouf as Director General in elections to be held in June.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 06:43 UTC

  Trained dogs can sniff early signs of certain cancers, says Japanese study

  

  Specially trained dogs may be able to sniff out early signs of colorectal cancer in breath or stool samples, according to a new study.

• Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 00:22 UTC

  Lack of jobs, rising food and energy prices could lead to spark war within nations

  

  The world economy is beset by problems such as high unemployment and rising prices which could fuel trade protectionism and even lead to war within nations, the head of the International Monetary Fund warned.