Stories for February 4th 2009
Brazil Senate denies delaying Venezuela's Mercosur membership
The recently nominated president of the Brazilian Senate Jose Sarney vehemently rejected on Tuesday claims he was intent in further delaying approval for Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur.
Darling raps bankers; demands change of “financial culture”
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling criticised on Tuesday bank chiefs for failing to flag up the financial difficulties they faced at an earlier stage. Darling said some had wrongly given the impression that the problems afflicting Northern Rock were isolated and would not affect themselves.
“Buy American” adds protectionism fears to global crisis
United States President Barack Obama has said he wants to avoid economic stimulus measures that would signal protectionism or spark a trade war. Mr Obama was responding to international criticism of a “Buy American” clause in the 800 billion US dollars economic recovery package.
Fed extends currency swap lines to Brazil and Mexico
The extension of a US Federal Reserve currency swap line to Brazil shows confidence in South America's largest economy, Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles said on Tuesday.
FARC releases former governor captive for eight years
Colombia's biggest guerrilla group freed Tuesday former Governor Alan Jara, a captive for almost eight years, in what it called “goodwill” gesture even as the rebels step up terror attacks on the nation's cities.
Storm kills five, blackouts Argentina's second city
Five people, including two children, died and at least 47 others have been injured in the storm that is battering central Argentina, which was recently hit by the worst drought in the past 50 years, officials said Tuesday.
Veterans 'Liberty Lodge' opens in Falklands
LIBERTY Lodge, built in the Falklands to house visiting British Falklands War veterans, was officially opened last night by the Commander British Forces Falkland Islands.
Falklands' politician fined by UK's market watchdog
Speaker for the Falkland Islands' Legislative Assembly, Darwin Lewis Clifton OBE, has been fined by Britain's Financial Services Authority (FSA) for dealing in oil shares on the basis of inside information. However, FSA described Mr. Clifton's conduct as “non deliberate” and said his full cooperation with the investigation had qualified him for a 30% fine reduction.
Brazil's Lula da Silva breaks polls' approval record
Brazil's president Lula da Silva had a stunning 84% approval during January the highest since taking office in 2003, according to the latest public opinion poll published this week in Sao Paulo. Meanwhile his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet is recovering from low records and now has a 53% support the second highest since December 2006 (54.3%).
World progressive leaders meet in Chile to talk politics
Chile will be hosting at the end of March the “Progressive Leaders' summit” which is organized by the British think-tank Policy Network. The previous event was in London, last April hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown as head of the Labour party.
