International

Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
First proven case of “mad cow disease” in haemophilic patient

The United Kingdom Health Protection Agency has confirmed the first case of the human form of “mad cow disease” in a patient with haemophilia. A post-mortem showed the man, who was “over 70” and had received plasma products before rules were introduced to limit contagion, died infected. However he died of other causes and had not shown any symptoms, the HPA said.
Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
IMF insists main immediate goal is to clean-up banks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that global recovery efforts are being undermined by the presence of “toxic” assets on banks' balance sheets. IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said in an interview to French radio France-Inter that this undercuts stimulus efforts by various governments.
Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UK annual inflation falls to 3% in Jan; deflation fears

A smaller-than-expected drop in inflation has failed to ease fears that the UK could soon be in the grip of deflation. The UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealed a fall in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) to 3% in January from 3.1% in December, which was far lower than experts had predicted.
Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Zero-emission, energy self sufficient Antarctic base

Belgium opened a new 20 million Euro “zero emissions” polar science station in Antarctica on Sunday, returning to the continent to study climate change 42 years after closing its first base there.
Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
A Falklands area ice-block breaks off in Antarctica

A 14.000 square km ice block, almost the area of the Falkland Islands (12.173 sq. km.), has broken off Antarctica's Wilkins Ice Shelf and fragmented into smaller icebergs reported on Tuesday the Spanish National Research Council, CSIC.
Wednesday, February 18th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Knighted billionaire faces “Ponzi-wicket” fraud charges

Billionaire financier and cricket entrepreneur Sir Allen Stanford has been charged by US regulators over an alleged multi-billion dollar fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a complaint in a Dallas Court against Sir Allen and three of his companies for “orchestrating a fraudulent, multi-billion dollar investment scheme”.
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.