Weekly News from Fyksland
Coverage and translation provided by Vaijskä Radio
Sunday, 6 July, 2003
Researchers hopeful GM chickens will fly
NUGJØLUT, Gaamlä (AP) - They are not flying chickens, just yet, but scientists are hopeful that genetically-modified chickens will mean big profits for their bio-technology research firm. "It's our biggest little secret right now," said a scientist at Franklehaus who has declined to be named. Franklehaus is currently researching on how to tweak DNA to induce chickens into growing four extra pairs of wings. "Chicken farmers will be able to meet growing consumption of wings at 500 percent of its current capacity," said the scientist. "We are taking small steps of course, one pair of wings at a time," explained the scientist, "in time we'll be able to make [the wings] naturally breaded and spiced." Full story...
Monday, 7 July, 2003
EU passes tough new GM rules
BRUSSELS, Belgium (VKK) - The European Parliament has approved tough rules on genetically modified products, a decision that could end a ban on biotech foods provided they are clearly labeled. Under the new rules, products with more than 0.9 percent of biotech material would have to be labeled with the words: "This product is produced from GMOs." The rules approved by the 626-member EU assembly include plans to trace all genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, at all stages of production. The lift now paves the way for Fyksian-developed GM technologies being used in Fyksland or being sold to other EU countries. Full story...
Motorist knocked off flyover
. A man is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision that threw him off the Route 12 flyover Friday evening. Police say the man was working on the motor of his stalled car just 2 kilometres east of Kildønvog Castle when another vehicle struck it from behind. The man fell about three storeys when the collision knocked him over the side of the elevated highway. A baby girl inside the struck vehicle substained minor injuries. Police are continuing their investigation. Full story...
Tuesday, 8 July, 2003
Wednesday, 9 July, 2003
FV leader convention
NIEKOPENHAAG, Jølantä (VKK) - Full story...
Thursday, 10 July, 2003
ECB holds rates steady
FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) - The European Central Bank kept interest rates steady on Thursday as expected after its president last week said the central bank had done its share to help Europe's sputtering economy. The ECB said in a statement its policymaking council had decided to leave the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.00 percent, an historic low reached after a half percentage point cut in early June. The Royal Bank of Fyksland in contrast surprised financial markets by cutting its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point to 3.5 percent, citing a hesitant global economic recovery. For the ECB, however, no change was widely expected after President Wim Duisenberg told the European Parliament that it was now up to governments to push through reforms to boost growth and cut swollen jobless numbers. Full story...
Friday, 11 July, 2003
FV new leader
KAANSÄ (VKK) - Full story...
GM economic benefit 'limited' in Fyksland
KAANSÄ (VKK) - A government report has casted doubts on economic benefits from genetically modified crops in Fyksland. The study, released Friday by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries claims Fyksland does not have a significant industry to substantially benefit from export of GM products. The prices for Fyksian agricultural products, which are already expensive comparing to other European markets, will not likely be improved with the application of GM technologies, the report said. The report predicted that GM technologies and relating pharmaceutical and vaccine research developed in Fyksland could well be in demand for years to come. The report points out that Fyksland, as a leading developer of climate and pest resistence crop, has a significant potential for European farms. Full story...
Saturday, 12 July, 2003
NIEKOPENHAAG, Jølan Full story...
