International

Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Ban Ki-moon: climate change, major threat to human health

Top United Nations officials have warned that global warming and its effects, including a rise in air and sea temperatures and extreme weather patterns endanger not only the planet but also pose a major threat to human health.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
EU divided over maritime safety laws and civil liability

European Union ministers rejected Monday two Brussels maritime safety laws by a large majority. The proposed directives on flag state control and civil liability for ship owners received the support of fewer than seven of the 27 EU member states at a council of ministers meeting in Luxembourg, according to Lloyd's List portal.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chilean Patagonia dams controversy reaches NY Times

Another controversy has erupted in The New York Times involving Chile and a project to build hydroelectric dams in Patagonia, an initiative which is being questioned by international environmentalists groups.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chinese banks may now invest in US stocks and funds

Chinese banks may now invest their clients' money in United States stocks and mutual funds, China's banking regulator has said allowing them to diversify their portfolios at a time of increasing market volatility. The decision announced this week is also expected to help ease inflationary pressures in the world's fastest growing economy.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Spain to halt economic decline with US style incentive package

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero promised short-term measures and US style incentives to halt an economic decline, especially in the construction sector, over his second term.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF blames credit crunch on “collective failure” & liquidity spiral

The International Monetary Fund has warned that potential losses from the credit crunch will reach 945 billion US dollars and could be even higher as losses are spreading from sub-prime mortgage assets to other sectors, such as commercial property, consumer credit, and company debt.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Two human fatal cases of mad cow reported in Spain

The human variant of the mad cow disease, (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), BSE killed two persons, one three months ago and the other last week, Spain announced this week on public radio.
Monday, April 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Norway developing eco-friendly trawl technology

The Norwegian fisheries magnate Kjell Inge RÃ¸kke and the industry have lately spent around NOK 10 million (EUR 1.25 million) on developing eco-friendlier trawls. One trawler operating off the West coast of Norway and a shrimp trawler fishing in the Oslo fjord in Eastern Norway are helping to develop the new trawl technology.
Monday, April 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UN recommends more natural production agriculture

Modern agricultural practices have exhausted land and water resources, squelched diversity and left poor people vulnerable to high food prices, even though they are also highly productive, according to a report announced Monday by the United Nations scientific agency.
Monday, April 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF tightens budget and decides to sell 403 tons of gold

The International Monetary Fund's executive board approved Monday a broad financial overhaul plan that includes the sale of 403 tons of its gold holdings as part of a radical plan to shore up its finances.