Stories for February 21st 2009
Germany approves 50 billion Euro stimulus plan
Germany has approved a 50 billion Euro stimulus plan aimed at boosting Europe's largest economy. The plan was approved by the upper house of parliament, which represents Germany's 16 state governments.
Brazil's unemployment reaches sever-year high: 8.2%
Brazil unemployment rate in January jumped the most in seven years to 8.2% from 6.8% in December according to the country's national Statistics Agency. The jobless rate is based on Brazil six largest metropolitan areas.
St. Helena fishery seeks MSC sustainability label
The St Helena pole and line tuna fisheries for yellow-fin, big-eye, albacore and skipjack tuna have entered full assessment for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certificate of sustainability.
New Zealand calls for adequate regulation of Antarctic tourism
New Zealand called for tighter controls on “inadequately regulated” shipping in the Southern Ocean, after the M/V Ocean Nova cruise ran aground off Antarctica. Although no one was hurt NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the accident highlighted the need for action before there was a disaster in the area.
Brazilian think tank forecasts second quarter upturn
Brazil has survived the worst of the global financial crisis and could see an upturn as early as the second quarter, the state-funded Institute for Applied Economic Research, or IPEA, said this week.
Petrobras establishes new oil production record in January
Petrobras average oil and gas production in Brazil during January climbed to 2,219,165 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe), 4.8% more than a year ago and up 0.7% over December 2008. Oil from domestic fields was 1,922,946 barrels/day, setting a monthly record, 5.3% above the mark set a year earlier and 2.5% more than the December volume.
Eurozone economies slow sharply in fourth quarter
Economies in the Eurozone, the group of 16 countries that use the Euro, shrank by 1.5 per cent in the last quarter of 2008. This is the region's third quarterly contraction in a row and represents the Eurozone's sharpest slump since the euro was created in 1999.
Neo-liberal paradigm collapsed” in 2008 says Uruguay
Uruguay's economy expanded 10.6% last year compared to 2007, said the government in an official state of the country address to Congress. The report also underlines that with the triggering of last year's international crisis, ”the neo-liberal (economic) paradigm collapsed”.
“Misty” sunken gold and silver plot in the South Atlantic
A fantastic story about a Chilean fishing vessel allegedly loaded with seven tons of Argentine gold and silver which sinks because of a storm during a dubious rescue operation close to the east access of the Magellan strait, has become a best selling title of the Buenos Aires press.
