Stories for January 29th 2009
Unemployment reveals impact of crisis on real economy
The global economic crisis is expected to lead to a dramatic increase in the number of people joining the ranks of the unemployed, working poor and those in vulnerable employment, the International Labour Office (ILO) said in its annual Global Employment Trends report released on Thursday.
Chilean ruling coalition agrees on presidential candidate
Chile's Party for Democracy, or PPD, named former president and leader of the Christian Democrats Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle as presidential candidate for the December election.
Davos: China admits crisis; Russia cuts defence outlays
China admitted the global financial crisis has had “a rather big impact” on its economy and Russia warned of over relying on the US dollar as a reserve currency, at the major World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Argentina swaps 4.3 bn USD local debt for long term bonds
Holders of 15.1 billion pesos (4.3 billion US dollars) of Argentine local debt agreed to swap the securities for longer-term bonds in an exchange the government set up to help cover its growing financing needs.
Southern Ocean climate fix remains afloat
Plans to curb climate change by using plankton to draw carbon dioxide into the world's oceans have been boosted.
Poachers beware: new tech. monitoring Falklands waters
Developments in satellite and communications technology combined with new fisheries legislation have given the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department the opportunity to add new aids to the monitoring and tracking of fishing vessels in the Falkland Islands fishery.
Dengue epidemic in Bolivia; worst outbreak in 22 years
Landlocked Bolivia has declared a health emergency as a dengue fever epidemic spreads across much of the country. Health officials say it is the worst outbreak in 22 years and at least three people are known to have died from the disease.
Record losses in Ford but “no need” for government aid
US carmaker Ford reported this week the biggest full-year loss in its history, but said it still was not going to ask for government loans. Ford said its net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 was 5.9 billion dollars, and 14.6 billion for the whole year.
Falklands' war trophy auctioned for ten times its value
A Falklands Islands war trophy has been sold at auction for around ten times its estimated value, reports mediawales.co.uk. The oak nameplate carrying the name Islas Malvinas from an Argentine patrol vessel went under the hammer for £ 5.040 at an auction of military memorabilia by auctioneers Bonhams.
China builds station on Antarctica's highest icecap
China set up this week its third Antarctic research station, also the country's first on the continent's inland. Kunlun station was erected at Dome Argus (Dome A), the South Pole's highest icecap at 4,093 metres above the sea level, reports the Beijing press.
