Stories for January 2009

Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez, Uribe team up to face world slowdown

The presidents of Colombia Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela Hugo Chavez pledged this weekend to invest 100 million US dollars each in a special fund in hopes of boosting cross-border trade during a meeting held in Cartagena, Colombia.
Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Low intensity” dengue epidemics in Paraguay

The Paraguayan government admitted a “low intensity” dengue epidemics following 360 cases reported in hospital emergencies of which 179 remain highly “suspicious” of having been contaminated by the mosquito transmitted disease.
Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras ignores crisis and increases investments 55%

At a time when large raw materials companies around the world are cutting back budgets in the face of falling prices and demand Brazil's government managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras announced a 55% increase in its five year investment plan.
Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Low-oxygen areas in oceans linked to global warming

Unchecked global warming would leave ocean dwellers gasping for breath according to an article in the latest edition of Nature Geoscience. Dead zones are low-oxygen areas in the ocean where higher life forms such as fish, crabs and clams are not able to live. In shallow coastal regions, these zones can be caused by runoff of excess fertilizers from farming.
Sunday, January 25th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN prepares to remember Victims of Holocaust Day

The Holocaust provides important lessons for the present, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Saturday, stressing the necessity to bolster the forces of harmony and dialogue.
Saturday, January 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Unemployment in Spain reaches 13.9%, highest in 9 years

Unemployment in Spain during 2008 increased by 1.2 million, a 66.4% jump over 2007 taking the official rate to 13.9% which is the highest in 9 years according to the latest figures released by the country's Statistics Institute, INE.
Saturday, January 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia's Morales Nationalizes British Petroleum Unit

Bolivian President Evo Morales on Friday nationalized BP subsidiary Chaco after no deal was reached in talks aimed at securing a majority stake for the state energy company.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN Human Rights Commissioner hails Guantánamo decision

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed Thursday's decision by the new United States administration to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, as well as the decision to ban methods of interrogation that contravene international law.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
FAO launches International Year of Natural Fibres

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched on Thursday the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of familiar natural resources such as cotton, flax, wool, alpaca and even cashmere, which are often taken for granted in the face of rising competition from synthetic materials.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: Three kayaking expeditions rendezvous at Tamar Pass; Air shuttle service trial to continue; New CEO for Conservation.