Vergasmexicanas

Wallace & Gromit creators say industry in “crisis”
Creators of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, the Oscar-winning studio Aardman said Britain’s television animation industry is in “crisis”. And they are considering moving some of their work overseas.

Death toll rises after Nigerian militant attacks
The death toll continues to rise after a series of deadly militant attacks in Nigeria. Initial reports said about 65 people died in bombings and shootings on Friday in the northeastern city of Damaturu. But now the number of dead has climbed to at least 150, according to some officials. Militants bombed churches, mosques, government buildings and police stations. The Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for the attacks. It launched a campaign of terrorism two years ago with the aim of imposing Islamic sharia law in the country.

IAEA voices “increasing concern” about Iran
A new resolution has been passed at the UN nuclear watchdog, voicing “increasing concern” about Iran’s nuclear programme. The US has seized on the resolution as proof that Iran is not being truthful when it says its nuclear ambitions are only for civilian purposes. The International Atomic Energy Agency did not mention any punitive measures in its latest resolution, however. Iran denies fresh reports that it is trying to make an atomic bomb, claiming allegations in the West are based on fabricated US, Israeli, UK and French intelligence. Earlier this week Iranians formed a human chain around an atomic facility in a show of support for the country’s nuclear programme.

Fashion news
In a boost to Israel’s fashion industry, Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has kicked off the first Tel Aviv Fashion Week in more than 30 years with his collection for next spring. The accent was on animal prints, sheer chiffon and backless straight line dresses. Talking about the event, Cavalli said that he felt that fashion nowadays was not Israeli, or Italian, or American or British, but had become truly international.” French designer Philippe Guilet has created a collection inspired by traditions from Romania. He said: “We are not here to start a fashion revolution. We are here to show the fashion world in Romania how good are the people who work here.” The resulting collection features bright colours, ribbons, beads, embroidery, applique and intricate hand-sewn patchwork.

Italy: no country for young people
In Italy, these demonstrators are protesting against what they see as a precarious job future. It is estimated that 8 million Italians, or one third of the work force earn less than seven hundred euros per month, the hardest hit being the young and educated. Not good news for a country which is now seen as the euro’s weakest link. What has happened and could happen to Italy, this week in reporter.

Boat carrying Egyptian migrants seized off Italy
Around 170 mainly Egyptian migrants have been brought ashore in the southern Italian port of Bari after the overcrowded fishing boat they were travelling in was intercepted in international waters. Such incidents are relatively rare on Italy’s Adriatic coast,with the majority of cases occuring on the country’s Meditterranean islands.

Papademos vows to keep Greece in the euro zone
Lucas Papademos has been named as Greece’s new prime minister. The man, who as central bank governor took Athens into the euro over a decade ago, is now charged with keeping his country inside the single currency. Papademos said he faced a tough task ahead, but that Greece’s problems could be resolved. “I am convinced that the country’s participation in the euro zone is a guarantee of monetary stability,” he told reporters. The appointment of the senior banker, who has never held elected office, comes after four days of power-sharing talks. Papademos, until recently a professor at Harvard University, will replace outgoing premier, George Papandreou. Papandreou quit after members of his own Socialist Party rebelled against his surprise decision to call a referendum on an EU bailout package for Greece. His successor must convince Greece’s international creditors that it should continue to receive emergency loans.

Rain still falling on stricken Genoa
Efforts to clear up after flash floods killed six people in Genoa are being hampered by continuing rain. The Italian port city saw the equivalent of a third of its annual rain fall in just six hours on Friday, causing rivers to break their banks. Emergency services are checking mud-filled ground floors and basements, while some locals say deaths could have been avoided had schools been closed. “It’s absurd,” said one woman. “There is a flood warning and what do you do? You open schools and kindergartens. Why did those mothers die? Because they went to pick up their children. Had the kids been home, we wouldn’t have had all these deaths.” While Genoa is still under threat, the danger is now spreading to nearby La Spezia. Already two villages near the town have been evacuated and dozens of small mudslides have blocked roads. The whole area is being kept on a level two alert, described as “very high”, until Sunday evening. And still the rain keeps coming. One emergency worker explained he and his team were doing their best to check drains, etc. so the land could absorb as much water as possible. Meanwhile, questions are being raised over recent changes in planning laws, allowing building to take place much closer to rivers than before.

Berlusconi set for exit after austerity vote
From the eye of the storm, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is heading towards the exit. His departure may be just days away. The Italian Senate is likely to approve his austerity budget by Friday, and the lower house says it will sit on Saturday to vote on the bill. Italy will have a new leader as Berlusconi vowed to resign if the bill passes. “We need decisions quickly, and as we go along, over the next few years we must give a sense of a renewed responsibility and cohesion to the nation,” said Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. The president has said the only two viable options are either a strong government, or early elections. On Wednesday nightm the lights were burning in the prime minister’s residence as Berlsuconi found himself, perhaps for the last time, in the thick of things, preparing his succession.

Former Moscow Mayor in fraud investigation
The former Mayor of Moscow, Yury Luzkhov is being questioned over an alleged fraud involving the bank of Moscow. But his lawyer has stressed that he’s being called as a witness not a defendant. The investigation is looking into a multi-million euro deal between the bank of Moscow and the Premier Estate company in 2009.

Turkish quake survivors still living in tents
Conditions are worsening for people living in temporary accommodation after the two earthquakes in eastern Turkey. Many families are being put up in tents provided by the Turkish Red Crescent. Wintry conditions have set in and although some tents have electric heaters, people are struggling to keep warm. Their own homes have either been destroyed or are too structurally unsafe for them to return to. One man said: “We are waiting for prefabricated houses. If they’re not brought here we’ll be staying under the snow like this. But we trust our government and hope they will send us homes.” Latest reports from Turkish media say at least 25 people are known to have died in the second quake which struck the city of Van on Wednesday. A further 30 were injured. In all, 28 people have been pulled out of the rubble and rescue efforts are continuing. But as the days go by the chances of finding more survivors are diminishing rapidly.