Stories for February 19th 2009
Five EU members in breach of 3% GDP deficit rule
The European Commission has taken disciplinary steps to tackle swelling budget deficits in six EU countries.
UK's Brown calls for a “grand bargain” at next G-20 summit
World leaders must strike a “grand bargain” to deal with the economic downturn, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday. He called for more cooperation on banking reform and fiscal stimulus packages as he outlined his hopes for the G20 summit of world leaders in London in April.
Obama unveils plan to rescue responsible homeowners
President Barack Obama has revealed a long-awaited plan to tackle the US housing crisis, aiming to help up to nine million families. The plan will provide refinancing to four to five million “responsible homeowners” on the verge of defaulting.
Telecoms innovation, dynamo for global recovery says UN
The global financial crisis could provide entrepreneurial opportunities for budding information and communication technology (ICT) businesses, which in turn can power economic recovery, according to a new United Nations report.
Argentina and Brazil fail to agree over trade barriers
Brazilian and Argentine officials failed to reach an agreement in talks Tuesday night to defuse growing tensions over trade barriers. However a bilateral working group was announced and another round of talks has been scheduled for March 4.
UK government exploiting terrorism says former MI5 chief
Britain's former head of intelligence, MI5 head Dame Stella Rimington has claimed the Government had exploited people's fear of terrorism to restrict civil liberties. In an outspoken interview she said ministers risked handing a victory to terrorists by making people “live in fear and under a police state”.
Uruguayan survivor of 1972 Andes air crash emphasizes simple life.
By Peter Lowy - A recent trip to Uruguay enabled me, along with another journalist, to visit The Refuge, a ranch belonging to Roberto Canessa, a member of a rugby team that in 1972 survived a crash in the freezing Andes for more than two months, in part, by resorting to cannibalism. What started as a leisurely tour of the ranch, ended late that night with a seaside dinner, after assisting with emergency horse surgery!
Ecuador's Correa expels second US official in a month
The State Department Wednesday called Ecuador's expulsion of a U.S. diplomat unjustified and said the United States will respond appropriately. The expulsion was the second of its kind this month.
Falklands' official work shadows at Scarborough council
Scarborough Council welcomed a special international guest, Claudette Anderson-Prior, who works for the Falkland Islands' Government as Head of the Legislature Department and has spent the past few days work shadowing with the council, reports the Scarborough Evening News.
BP suspends all operations with Super Puma choppers
British Petroleum has suspended using Super Puma Bond helicopters for North Sea flights after one of the aircraft carrying 18 people ditched off the Scottish coast. The company said it had decided to temporarily stop using that type of helicopter on flights from Aberdeen “as a precaution” in light of Wednesday's incident.
