Europe
UK economy grows after Olympics
The United Kingdom’s (UK) Gross Domestic Product has grown 1.0% in the wake of this summer’s Olympics. The growth is the first seen since it was announced earlier this year that the UK was in a double dip recession. The Office for National Statistics claims that 0.2% of this growth was instigated directly from the Olympic and Paralympics ticket sales. However, The growth’s effect is exaggerated by reduced growth over a patch of bad weather and the Jubilee bank holiday. Since coming back from the crucial mid-term party conference season, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said, “There is still a long way to go, but these figures show we are on the right track.” Opposition leader, David Miliband however questioned how sustained the growth was. “The question is what the underlying growth rate of the economy is when we strip out the one-off Olympics and Bank Holiday effects,” said Rachel Reeves, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.
Latin America
Hurricane Sandy hits Cuba
Hurricane Sandy has hit Cuba after damaging Jamaica and causing one fatality. It has been upgraded to a strong category two and now has winds reaching 110mph. The NHC has warned that the winds, coupled with flash flooding forecast, is likely to produce life-threatening mudslides in Cuba, as well as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In Cuba prisons, homes and hospitals have been evacuated as a civil defence official said “We cannot put a single human life in danger. We must evacuate people in areas we know are likely to be flooded, without losing time.” There are further concerns as the hurricane approached the US naval base and detention centre, Guantanamo Bay.
Middle East
United Nations ceasefire proposal to Syria
The United Nations (UN) is waiting to hear from the Syrian government following a ceasefire proposal for the Eid al-Adha holiday weekend. The UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi who said that most groups would back the truce, including the government, announced the proposal. The government’s foreign ministry is said to be reviewing the plans, meanwhile the civil war continues. The opposition rebel group, the Free Syrian Army, has said that it will uphold and truce agreement so long as the government did also. Currently, an estimated 30,000 people have so far died since March and the UN continues its investigations into human rights abuses and war crime charges.
Unofficial truce halts Gaza fighting
Fighting on the Gaza strip, between Israel and Palestine militants has eased significantly, following an unofficial truce. The truce follows heavy fighting. One Tuesday, give Israelis were wounded and Six Parlestinian militants were killed in air strikes on Gaza. Schools were closed in both countries following the attacks, but opened for the most part today.
Asia
China to continue nuclear policy
The government of China today announced that it would continue to invest in its nuclear energy policy, including the construction of new power plants. National newspapers have reported that all new plants will “comply with the highest international safety standards”. Previously a decision was made to review the policy, following the 2011 Tsunami and subsequent Fukushima nuclear crisis in neighbouring Japan. The BBC has reported that only a small number of projects will be launched and non will be inland. Japan has halted its nuclear policy and is seeking to reverse it.
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