Stories for January 14th 2010
Judge Griesa lifts freeze on Argentine funds to help with planned “debt swap”
A New York State Judge lifted a freeze on Argentine Central Bank accounts held in the US Federal Reserve, Argentina's Finance secretary told reporters on Thursday. The freeze has been imposed on request from investors holding defaulted Argentine sovereign bonds.
2009 was the hottest year on record south of the Equator, says Science
The United States and Europe may be experiencing one of the coldest winters in decades, but things continue to heat up in the Southern Hemisphere. Science magazine has obtained exclusive data from NASA that indicates that 2009 was the hottest year on record south of the Equator. The find adds to multiple lines of evidence showing that the 2000s were the warmest decade in the modern instrumental record.
World’s largest tanker, built in China, ready to start maiden voyage
Claimed to be the most sophisticated large tanker ever designed and built by a Chinese shipyard, the ‘Xin Pu Yang' is to start its maiden voyage from Guangzhou to the Middle East later this month, Chinese media reports said.
South Korea confirms second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
South Korean authorities confirmed Thursday the second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a cattle farm close to where the first outbreak in eight years erupted a week ago.
Jobs of the future: space pilot, human body part maker or climate change averter
Tomorrow's job hunters could be applying for the position of space pilot, human body part maker or climate change averter, according to a British government commissioned report.
Chavez cancels energy rationing in Caracas; sacks electricity minister
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez cancelled energy rationing in Caracas after a chaotic first day of staggered blackouts angered his supporters, but the measures will continue across the country.
Obama to slap 117 billion USD levy on banks to repay for bail outs
President Barack Obama has said Wall Street must repay 117 billion US dollars to taxpayers and criticised banks for “massive profits and obscene bonuses”. The tax is to recoup money US taxpayers are expected to lose from bailing out the banks during the financial crisis.
Euro-zone countries “need bold measures to improve confidence”
The European Central Bank left interest rates on hold at their historic low of 1% at its first meeting for the year Thursday amid concerns about Greece's debt crisis.
Haiti with no relief for thousands of injured and buried in the rubble
Haitian President Rene Preval has said thousands of people are feared dead following a huge quake which has devastated the country's capital. Mr Preval said the UN mission chief in Haiti was among the dead. It said at least 14 other UN staff had died and 56 were injured.
Argentina vows to press on with debt swap of defaulted bonds
Argentina vowed on Wednesday to press on with a debt swap targeting 20 billion US dollars in defaulted bonds in spite of the political turmoil. The announcement had an immediate reaction in the stock market and Argentine bonds.
