 | Davos ends on note of fear
The World Economic Forum has wrapped up in Davos, Switzerland, with a pledge to coordinate a global response to the financial crisis. The forum's founder, Klaus Schwab, said political leaders from around the world gave their backing to the idea of an international initiative to redesign the global banking system. Schwab said a meeting of the Group of 20 industrialised economies in April would not be enough to solve the crisis. The five-day Davos summit was dominated by fears that the world's economic downturn will usher in a fresh era of protectionism. |  | | Israel threatens retaliation for rocket attacks
Israel has threatened a harsh response to rockets fired from the Gaza strip. At an Israeli cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised what he called a “disproportionate response” to such attacks, after at least two rockets hit southern Israel on Sunday without causing casualties or damage. Sporadic rocket fire from Gaza has continued since Israel and Hamas pledged separate ceasefires in January, ending a 22-day Israeli military offensive in Gaza. One thousand three hundred Palestinians were killed in the offensive, while thirteen Israelis were killed in the same period. | | | Obama praises Iraqi polls
Iraqi election officials say voter turnout in the country's provincial elections on Saturday was 51 percent. This is somewhat lower than the 55.7 percent recorded in the last ballot in 2005. Polls were held in 14 of the country's 18 provinces and ended without any reports of major incidents. Sunni groups that boycotted the polls four years ago took part this time. US President Barack Obama has praised the election and called them an "important step for the future of the country". The polls were seen as a test of recent security gains and the country's fledgling democracy. They come as new figures released by Iraqi authorities show that 191 Iraqis were killed in violence in January, the lowest toll since the US-led invasion in 2003.
| | | AU summit opens in Ethiopia
The African Union's 12th summit has opened in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The summit of the 53-nation body is officially to focus on infrastructure development, including transport, energy and investment issues. The first day has however been set aside to discuss Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's long-standing proposal to establish a united Africa. The unofficial agenda is also expected to cover conflicts and crises in Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
| | | Large group of illegal immigrants reaches Malta
A group of around 300 illegal immigrants has landed in Malta aboard a large fishing boat. It is one of the largest-ever groups to reach the Mediterranean island, which saw a record number of arrivals last year. Police on the scene said the migrants claimed to have left from Libya two days ago and that they originated from various African countries. They are believed to have been taken to detention centres on the island. Malta, the smallest and most densely populated EU state, has long been calling for assistance from Brussels, as it says it cannot deal with the influx itself. | | | China sees rise in birth defects
State media in China say there has been a worrying increase in the rate of birth defects in the country. The China Daily quoted a senior family planning official as saying that environmental pollution was partly to blame. The paper said a Chinese baby with physical defects was born every 30 seconds, adding up to almost seven percent of all births. The report said North China's coal-rich Shanxi province, which has a large chemical industry, has recorded the highest rate of birth defects. | | | Russian Orthodox Church enthrones new patriarch
The Russian Orthodox Church has enthroned its new head, Patriarch Kirill, in a ceremony at a Moscow cathedral. Kirill was appointed by the Church Council last week to become the 16th leader of the church. He succeeds Patriarch Alexiy II, who died in December. The enthronement ceremony was attended by political leaders including President Dmitry Medvedev. | | | German rail settles pay dispute
German rail unions and railway operator Deutsche Bahn have agreed on a wage deal averting the threat of more strikes for commuters. A source close to the talks said that the agreement was reached late on Saturday. The unions had been demanding 6.5 to 10 per cent pay increases, but Deutsche Bahn had offered only 1 per cent. The compromise agreement calls for an immediate pay increase of 2.5 per cent and a second increase of 2 per cent on January 1, 2010. Both the unions and Deutsche Bahn must approve the deal, but that is considered a formality. Last week about 400 rail workers in several cities staged a one-day strike in support of the pay claim.
| | | Rafael Nadal takes Australian Open
In Tennis, Rafael Nadal has defeated Roger Federer to claim the Australian Open. Nadal needed five sets and nearly four-and-a-half hours to take the Grand Slam title. Federer, who was trying to equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 major titles, has now lost to Nadal the last three times they've met in Grand Slam finals. | | | Many die in truck inferno in Kenya
In Kenya dozens of people are reported to have been killed when an oil spill from a crashed truck burst into flames. After the truck ran off the road near the central town of Molo, people crowded round the vehicle in the hope of salvaging petrol. It is thought a lit cigarette caused the fire killing at least 90 people and injuring dozens more. | | | | |
Davos Founder Announces Global Economic Initiative
