International

• Thursday, February 4th 2010 - 16:18 UTC

  “Greek” syndrome hits Portuguese bonds and economic prospects

  

  Portugal's debt agency IGCP cut its planned T-bill placement to 300 million Euros from 500 million on Wednesday as yields soared 49% compared to January's placement, following on events in Greece and Bank of Portugal Governor Vitor Constancio's gloomy comments on the country’s economy.

• Thursday, February 4th 2010 - 16:15 UTC

  European Commission supports Greece drastic fiscal cuts

  

  The European Commission on Wednesday adopted Greece's fiscal cuts plan but placed the country under surveillance, while it decided to start procedures against Greece for failing to deliver credible fiscal statistics in the past.

• Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:28 UTC

  The top banking brands according to The Banker magazine

  

  HSBC has retained its place as the most valuable banking brand in the world. This is the third year in a row The Banker magazine and Brand Finance have awarded the self-styled “World's Local Bank” the title. The giant has increased its brand value by 12% to 28.5 billion US dollars.

• Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:25 UTC

  Renowned scientists winners of the prestigious Wolf Prizes

  

  Seven renowned scientists are the winners of the prestigious Wolf Prizes. The 100,000 US dollar prizes, which will be presented in May by Israeli President Shimon Peres during a special Knesset session, were announced Monday in Jerusalem by Israeli Minister of Education and Wolf Foundation Council Chair Gideon Sa'ar.

• Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:10 UTC

  Australian Central bank takes a pause: leaves rates unchanged at 3.75%

  

  Australia's central bank Tuesday left interest rates on hold at 3.75%, surprising analysts by ending a sequence of three consecutive rises, but hinted at further hikes to come.

• Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 09:57 UTC

  OECD recommends Yuan appreciation to cut China’s dependence on exports

  

  The Yuan needs to appreciate to reduce China's dependence on exports for growth, says the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD argues that more exchange rate flexibility and targeting inflation would help economic stability in China.

• Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 09:32 UTC

  British fishing industry furious with BBC documentary

  

  The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organizations (NFFO) are supporting an official complaint by industry body Seafish over a BBC program that portrayed the fishing industry in a damaging and “inaccurate” manner. The groups are demanding an apology from the BBC.

• Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 05:14 UTC

  Imminent start of oil drilling in Falklands triggers strong Argentine protest

  

  Argentina summoned the British ambassador in Buenos Aires to deliver a formal protest regarding the imminent beginning of a hydrocarbons exploratory drilling season off-shore the Falkland Islands.

• Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 12:57 UTC

  Asia-Pacific has become the world’s biggest aviation market

  

  The Asia-Pacific region has now become the world's biggest aviation market. With 647 million passengers in 2009, it overtook the North American market by about nine million passengers and according to the International Air Transport Association, IATA, Asia's market share will grow further to almost one third by 2013.

• Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:44 UTC

  FAO forensic techniques to improve seafood safety for consumers

  

  An unknown percentage of the fish we eat isn't what's it's purported to be and could have fatal consequences. FAO explores how forensic techniques could help address the problem.