International

• Sunday, February 21st 2010 - 01:09 UTC

  Germany denies “concrete” aid package for Greece

  

  Germany’s Finance Ministry said on Saturday it has no specific plans for helping Greece combat its deficit crisis, denying a magazine report that euro-area governments may offer as much as 25 billion Euros in aid.

• Saturday, February 20th 2010 - 21:24 UTC

  Census of marine life reveals 5.000 new species and “most advanced chemicals”

  

  A preview of the Census of Marine Life has revealed that the project has discovered over 5,000 new species. These include bizarre and colourful creatures, as well as many organisms that produce therapeutic chemicals.

• Friday, February 19th 2010 - 21:08 UTC

  Embattled Greek PM warns in London of “contagion”

  

  The Greek Prime Minister has admitted there is a “fear of contagion” as his nation battles its debt crisis. George Papandreou also insisted his country was not looking for a banking-style bailout and denied that his people were “reckless”.

• Friday, February 19th 2010 - 00:17 UTC

  China investing heavily in long term supply resources projects in Latinamerica

  

  China’s voracious appetite for Latinamerican commodities is turning into a great opportunity for companies in the region not only because of the huge market but also as a great financial source.

• Wednesday, February 17th 2010 - 23:55 UTC

  Greece defends controversial debt-swaps masterminded by Goldman Sachs

  

  Greece has defended a controversial deal that may have masked the extent of its budget woes and has annoyed the European Union. The 2001 debt-swap deal with Goldman Sachs was legal under EU rules, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou told the Greek parliament.

• Wednesday, February 17th 2010 - 23:00 UTC

  UK unemployment 7.8%, but jobseekers allowance claimants set a new record

  

  Unemployment in the UK fell at the end of last year but the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has now reached a record high, new figures show. The number of Britons out of work fell to by 3,000 to 2.46 million in the three months to December, leaving the unemployment rate at 7.8%.

• Wednesday, February 17th 2010 - 22:52 UTC

  Russia’s interests in Latinamerica are “purely commercial”

  

  Russia has increased arms sales to Latin America but Moscow’s interests in the region are “purely commercial” said Russian Foreign Affairs minister Sergei Lavrov following talks with his Mexican counterpart, the last stop of a regional tour that included Cuba, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

• Wednesday, February 17th 2010 - 03:05 UTC

  Seventy journalists killed in 2009, the worst in thirty years, says CJP

  

  Seventy journalists were killed in 2009, making it the worst year since records began 30 years ago, the Committee to Protect Journalists says. A massacre of 31 journalists in the Philippines broke the old record of 67 deaths, set only in 2007.

• Wednesday, February 17th 2010 - 01:28 UTC

  Record fall for US Treasury bonds demand; China net seller

  

  Foreign demand for US Treasury bonds and notes fell by a record amount in December as China reduced its holdings. The Treasury said foreign holdings of US debt dropped by 53 billion USD, surpassing the previous record set last April.

• Wednesday, February 17th 2010 - 01:18 UTC

  Return of 17.5% VAT in January pushes UK inflation to an annual 3.5%

  

  United Kingdom price rises caused by the return of 17.5% VAT in January saw inflation reach 3.5%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 3.5% last month from 2.9% in December as goods and services became more expensive.