International

Tuesday, February 17th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Cruise vessel runs aground in Antarctica; pax, crew, all safe

CRUISE vessel M/V Ocean Nova grounded at Marguerite Bay, west of Debenham Island in Antarctica today, Feburay 17, but all onboard are safe. The vessel grounded two kilometers from the Argentine research station San Martin. An initial assessment of damage indicated that there was no imminent danger and no threat to lives.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Climate change will force fish species towards poles

The world's fish stocks will soon suffer major upheaval due to climate change, scientists have warned. Changing ocean temperatures and currents will force thousands of species to migrate polewards, including cod, herring, plaice and prawns. By 2050, US fishermen may see a 50% reduction in Atlantic cod populations.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Japan's economy contracts 3.3% in last quarter of 2008

Japan's economy shrank at its sharpest pace in over three decades in the final quarter of 2008. The global financial storm and languishing overseas demand dealt a stunning blow to the export-driven economy and the world's second largest.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Marine species common to both polar regions discovered

At least 235 marine species are living in both Polar Regions despite being 12,000km apart, a census has found. Scientists were surprised to find the same species of “swimming snails” at both poles, raising questions about how they evolved and became so dispersed.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
CBI says British economy will shrink 3.3% this year

The British government will have to borrow almost £100 billion more than previously forecast as it tries to bring a deeper-than-expected UK recession under control, business leaders warned.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Royal Navy confirms nuclear armed subs mid Atlantic collision

The Royal Navy has confirmed that a British nuclear submarine collided with a French one in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The crash between HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant - both carrying atomic weapons - is believed to have occurred on February 3 or 4.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN enthusiastic about greening funds in stimulus plans

Investing one-third of the roughly 2.5 trillion US dollars planned stimulus funds in “greening” the global economy will give a large boost to efforts to lift the world out of recession, according to a new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released Monday.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UK financial watchdog admits “risk assessment” errors

The head of Britain's Financial Services Authority (FSA) has admitted that the watchdog did not focus enough on the excessive risks being taken by banks.
Saturday, February 14th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Spain faces worst recession in half a century

Spain's economy shrank by the most in more than 15 years in the fourth quarter in what may become the worst recession in half a century pushing the unemployment rate to the highest in Europe.
Saturday, February 14th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Record applicants for 38 jobs in BAS research stations

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has offered some 38 jobs in five of its research stations on the world's coldest continent, Antarctica. The BAS advertisement invites plumbers, carpenters, electricians and chefs to fill its vacant spots for a period of 4 to 18 months, MailOnline reported.