International

• Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 22:30 UTC

  South Korea launched its first space rocket with “partial success”

  

  South Korea has launched its first space rocket, though a scientific satellite it was carrying failed to enter into its proper orbit. South Korean officials described the launch as a “partial success”.

• Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 22:20 UTC

  UK avionics controversy delays delivery of eight Chinook choppers to Afghanistan

  

  The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence has denied claims that eight Chinook helicopters have not been usable since they were bought in 2001 because of a failed attempt to design its own software for them.

• Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 14:55 UTC

  Drug and drink offences, main causes for arrests of Britons overseas

  

  Drug offences now account for a fifth of all arrests of Britons abroad, Foreign Office (FO) figures show. There are currently 22 British nationals facing capital charges for drugs worldwide, the FO said.

• Tuesday, August 25th 2009 - 14:49 UTC

  China rebounding but economy still “unstable” warns Premier Wen Jibabo

  

  Premier Wen Jiabao has warned that China is still facing various uncertainties ahead despite signs of economic recovery, saying the government will maintain the macro economic policies.

• Monday, August 24th 2009 - 11:11 UTC

  Iran accuses Argentina of “interfering in internal affairs”

  

  Iran's government accused Argentina of “interfering in internal affairs,” referring to criticism against the designation of Ahmad Vahidi as Defence Minister. Vahidi has been wanted since 2007 by Interpol for supposed ties to the AMIA terrorist attack in Buenos Aires which caused 85 deaths and hundreds of injured.

• Monday, August 24th 2009 - 06:27 UTC

  As losses in Afghanistan mount, UK controversy over defence procurement

  

  United Kingdom Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell has denied claims that British soldiers' lives are being put at risk by inefficient MoD systems for buying new equipment.

• Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:34 UTC

  World Health officials urge to prepare for likely second wave of A/H1N1 virus flu

  

  World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan on Friday urged governments to prepare for a likely second wave of A/H1N1 flu cases. About 1,800 people have died since the flu virus was first uncovered in April, according to the latest update from the WHO issued this week.

• Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:18 UTC

  Argentina “harshly condemns” Iranian ministerial nomination

  

  Argentina's Foreign Affairs Ministry “harshly condemns” the nomination of Ahmad Vahidi to serve as Iran's Defence Minister as he is a suspected international terrorist sought by Interpol in connection with the 1994 attack on AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires.

• Saturday, August 22nd 2009 - 11:15 UTC

  Markets react to Bernanke’s speech, but also warnings of over expectations

  

  World stock markets reacted positively after US central bank chief Ben Bernanke said the world's biggest economy was nearing the start of a recovery.
  “The prospects for a return to growth in the near term appear good,” Mr Bernanke told a conference in Wyoming.

• Friday, August 21st 2009 - 13:59 UTC

  Canada reaffirms sovereignty in the Arctic region

  

  Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is on a five-day visit to the northern Arctic region of his country. Mr Harper said it was all part of an initiative to promote Canada's sovereignty in the far north.