Stories for January 2009

Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Mini-sub seeks clues to sea levels below Antarctic ice shelves

An autonomous British yellow robot submarine has just set out on a mission which will see it plunge deep beneath Antarctic ice shelves to seek clues to world ocean level rises. The seven meter yellow sub will probe the underside of ice at the end of the Pine Island glacier, which is moving faster than any other in Antarctica.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil's capital readies for the fiftieth anniversary in 2010

Brazil's greatest living architect Oscar Niemeyer has presented the blueprint for a new project, “The Sovereignty Plaza” to be built next to the Ministries esplanade in Brasilia. The official opening is scheduled for April 21st, 2010 when the capital city he designed will be celebrating half a century.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador quietly downplays financial dispute with Brazil

Ecuador quietly made overdue payments to Brazil on a loan for the construction of a controversial hydroelectric project, helping to end a months-long diplomatic dispute, revealed Brazil's Foreign Affairs ministry.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay government admits “serious drought” condition

Following weeks of farmers' demands for emergency support, Uruguay's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries finally admitted the seriousness of the drought for the farming industry and the country's main source of exports.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Lloyds TSB pays 350 million USD for violating US sanctions

Britain's Lloyds TSB bank has agreed to pay a 350 million US dollars penalty to US authorities over financial transfers that violated US sanctions. The US Justice Department said Lloyds TSB had acknowledged “criminal conduct” and agreed to forfeit the funds in return for an end to its investigation.
Saturday, January 10th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Lipotimia bout forces Cristina Kirchner to postpone trip to Cuba

Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, suffering from an acute bout of low blood pressure has been forced to postpone for a week her planned visits to Cuba and Venezuela that should have begun this Sunday, according to reliable government sources reports the Buenos Aires media
Saturday, January 10th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Explorer” rescue operation honors for Chilean Navy

The Chilean Navy was presented with the International Maritime Organization, IMO, “Bravery at Sea” award for the prompt and effective rescue operation displayed during the emergency involving cruise vessel “Explorer”, which sank in Antarctica on November 22nd of 2007.
Friday, January 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Qatari leading Dakar Rally in Argentina disqualified

Dakar Rally leader Nasser Al Attiyah has been kicked out of the gruelling event for missing too many mandatory way points. The BMW driver from Qatar, who won the first and third stages of the 2009 rally in Argentina, led the overall standings by more than seven minutes.
Friday, January 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN calls on Israel for immediate media access to Gaza

The chief of communications and public information for the United Nations called Thursday on the Israeli Government to ensure immediate access for international media into Gaza, stressing the need for “full and independent” coverage of events unfolding in the territory which has been the target of an Israeli offensive launched nearly two weeks ago.
Friday, January 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Spain: unemployment is record; more to come admits minister

The number of registered jobless in Spain topped 3 million for the first time ever in December and the government said unemployment would worsen in 2009 as the global economic crisis continues to wreak havoc on the country's construction and tourism industries.