Stories for February 16th 2009
Venezuela's Chavez wins unlimited re-election vote
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has won the Sunday referendum to eliminate term limits, paving the way for a new re-election in 2012 - and beyond - and push through his vision of a Socialist nation
Argentine GDP expansion in 4Q lowest in five years
The Argentine economy expanded 4.9% in the last quarter of 2008 compared to the same period a year earlier and dropped 0.3% from the 2008 third quarter. This would mean the slowest expansion in five years, according to the latest figures released by the controversial Statistics Institute, Indec
Chilean opposition presidential candidate ahead in polls
The Chilean Concertación ruling coalition official presidential candidate Eduardo Frei would stand eight points behind conservative presidential hopeful Sebastián Piñera in the event of a run off next January, (following December's first round) according to TNS-Time public opinion poll taken between January 12 and 31st.
Suggestions of more ECB/Fed exchange rate cooperation
Robert Mundell, the Nobel Laureate whose research helped set the foundation for the creation of the Euro, said the US and Europe should cooperate to prevent exchange-rate swings from worsening the global recession.
Evo Morales in Moscow to sign gas development deal
Evo Morales has become the first Bolivian President to visit Russia, after touching down in Moscow on Sunday. Morales is expected to sign crucial natural gas cooperation agreements and seek aid to combat drugs.
The visit is also viewed as another sign of Russia's increased interest in Latin America.
Morales told reporters on Friday that he would discuss the immediate purchase of helicopters and loans of other aircraft to fight coca production when he visits Russia.
Climate change will force fish species towards poles
The world's fish stocks will soon suffer major upheaval due to climate change, scientists have warned. Changing ocean temperatures and currents will force thousands of species to migrate polewards, including cod, herring, plaice and prawns. By 2050, US fishermen may see a 50% reduction in Atlantic cod populations.
Japan's economy contracts 3.3% in last quarter of 2008
Japan's economy shrank at its sharpest pace in over three decades in the final quarter of 2008. The global financial storm and languishing overseas demand dealt a stunning blow to the export-driven economy and the world's second largest.
Marine species common to both polar regions discovered
At least 235 marine species are living in both Polar Regions despite being 12,000km apart, a census has found. Scientists were surprised to find the same species of “swimming snails” at both poles, raising questions about how they evolved and became so dispersed.
CBI says British economy will shrink 3.3% this year
The British government will have to borrow almost £100 billion more than previously forecast as it tries to bring a deeper-than-expected UK recession under control, business leaders warned.
Royal Navy confirms nuclear armed subs mid Atlantic collision
The Royal Navy has confirmed that a British nuclear submarine collided with a French one in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The crash between HMS Vanguard and France's Le Triomphant - both carrying atomic weapons - is believed to have occurred on February 3 or 4.
