International

Monday, August 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Who pays for port expansion to dock larger cruise vessels?

As the cruise industry keeps advancing and vessels become larger a controversy has erupted in Punta Arenas as to who should pick the bill for the expansion of port facilities both for docking and landing tourists.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Japanese economy sliding downwards to recession

The Japanese economy contracted by 0.6% between April and June, prompting fears that it is sliding towards recession. Declining exports and consumer demand were behind the fall - the first for more than a year - which came after a rise of 0.8% in the previous quarter.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Fire-safe” cigarettes mandatory in the EU as of 2011

As of 2011 all cigarettes sold in the European Union will have to be self-extinguishing in a bid to combat thousands of fire-related deaths and injuries. EC officials said a meeting of experts from all 27 EU member states was expected to endorse proposals by Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Russian tycoon pays 300 million Euros for French Riviera villa

Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov paid 300 million Euros for a villa in the French Riviera built in 1902, so grand that it takes a reputed 50 gardeners to tend its gardens, according to the Paris daily Le Monde.
Thursday, August 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
South Georgia Island visited by 8.000 cruise ship pax

Analysis of the figures from the 2007/8 tourist season shows that tourism to South Georgia in the South Atlantic continues to increase. Sixty-four cruise ship visits were made by 29 different vessels (13 more visits than last year), bringing more than 8000 cruise ship passengers.
Thursday, August 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
HMS Endurance host vessel for climate change seminars

The Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship HMS Endurance is undertaking a high profile deployment to West Africa to highlight the effects of Climate Change and the importance of Maritime Security.
Thursday, August 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Euro zone economies contract in second quarter by 0.2%

The 15 economies of the Euro zone contracted by 0.2% between April and June heightening fears the Euro area is sliding towards recession. The first decline since the Euro zone was created in 1999 was driven by a slowdown in exports and consumer spending.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
China targets stable growth with moderate higher inflation

A major Chinese government think-tank in Shanghai has proposed raising the country's inflation target for this year and next to 5 to 7%, from the current official target for this year of 4.8%, the official China Securities Journal said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF to focus country surveillance on exchange rates impacts

The International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday it will enter talks with countries whose exchange rates do not reflect economic fundamentals and cause problems for other nations and the global economy.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UN proposes plant mutation to tackle food crisis

Plant mutation, a scientific technique that dramatically improves crop productivity, could be part of the solution to the current food and energy crisis that threatens to plunge millions worldwide into hunger, according to a United Nations expert on the subject.