International

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:54 UTC

  East Asia and Pacific region growth rate forecasted to double Latinamerica’s

  

  According to the World Bank Global Economic Prospects 2010, regional outlook, the East Asia and Pacific region led the rebound in the global economy last year, reflecting robust fiscal policy steps and strong domestic demand.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:52 UTC

  Mozzarella fudge shocks Italian farmers and pride

  

  Italian buffalo mozzarella producers fear their reputation could be undermined after it was revealed some were using cow's milk in production. An investigation is under way after random tests found about a quarter of sampled cheese were adulterated.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:36 UTC

  Gibraltar government and private operators at Tourism Fair in Madrid

  

  The Gibraltar Tourist Board is currently exhibiting at the 30th edition of FITUR (Feria Internacional de Turismo) in Madrid which officially opened this week. It is being held over four days until 24 January. The exhibition is targeted at tourism industry professionals for the first three days, and then opens to the general public for the final two days, at the weekend, and is always very well supported.

• Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 04:14 UTC

  German company wants Dakar Rally to stay in South America

  

  Winners Volkswagen wants the Dakar Rally to stay in South America and not to move back to Africa, the spokesman of the carmaker's motor-sport division said late Wednesday. Spokesman Stefan Moser raved about large and enthusiastic crowds at the two editions in Chile and Argentina and named security another aspect in favour of South America.

• Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 12:05 UTC

  Pollutants from Asia affecting ozone levels along west coast of North America

  

  Ozone levels over the west coast of North America are rising because of air streams carrying the pollutant from Asia, an international team of researchers says. The analysis of springtime ozone data collected since 1984 indicates the US may be unable to reach its Clean Air Act goals because of ozone emissions from overseas.

• Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 06:53 UTC

  China freezes liquidity and sends global markets tumbling

  

  Global shares have fallen amid concerns that China's plans to reduce lending by its banks will hurt the worldwide economy. The falls came after Chinese state media said authorities had ordered commercial banks to stop lending for the rest of January.

• Thursday, January 21st 2010 - 06:44 UTC

  Seismologists’ call to prepare for a “great earthquake” in Western Sumatra

  

  The earthquake which rocked Padang, western Sumatra in September last year killing more than 1000 people was not the 'great earthquake' which earth scientists are waiting for. In fact, it may have made the next massive earthquake more likely.

• Wednesday, January 20th 2010 - 09:14 UTC

  Jessica sails past the Falklands greeted by an RAF Typhoon fighter

  

  The aerial visitors keep on coming for Australia’s Jessica Watson, who has now sailed past the Falkland Islands in her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted, around the world.

• Wednesday, January 20th 2010 - 09:08 UTC

  EU population totalled 501 million on January first

  

  On January first 2010, the 27 European Union member states crossed the threshold of 500 million inhabitants “for the first time,” announced the French statistics institute INSEE, on 19 January. The precise number is 501.26 million.

• Wednesday, January 20th 2010 - 09:03 UTC

  The process to keep Japan’s flag carrier alive has began, says minister

  

  Japan Airlines is to slash about 15,700 jobs and receive an 8 billion USD lifeline as part of turnaround efforts after filing for bankruptcy protection. The collapse of JAL, Asia’s top carrier was widely expected after it struggled with the aviation downturn and a debt burden of more than 25 billion USD.