Stories for February 3rd 2010
Kirchner loyalist appointed new Central bank president
Mercedes Marcó Del Pont a long time ally of the Kirchners and until now head of the state-owned development bank, is known to support limited autonomy for the institution she's taking over. Her appointment closes a standoff over whether the government can overrule the central bank and tap international reserves.
Kirchner admits 2 million USD operation for the purchase of a hotel
Former president Néstor Kirchner admitted that his 2 million US dollars purchase, taken place in October 2008, before the outbreak of the global financial crisis, was made to acquire a percentage of stock for a hotel located in El Calafate, Patagonia.
The top banking brands according to The Banker magazine
HSBC has retained its place as the most valuable banking brand in the world. This is the third year in a row The Banker magazine and Brand Finance have awarded the self-styled “World's Local Bank” the title. The giant has increased its brand value by 12% to 28.5 billion US dollars.
Renowned scientists winners of the prestigious Wolf Prizes
Seven renowned scientists are the winners of the prestigious Wolf Prizes. The 100,000 US dollar prizes, which will be presented in May by Israeli President Shimon Peres during a special Knesset session, were announced Monday in Jerusalem by Israeli Minister of Education and Wolf Foundation Council Chair Gideon Sa'ar.
Chavez former closest loyalists call for his resignation
A group of one-time loyalists and close advisors of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez called on him to resign saying that after eleven years in power he had lost “the legitimacy and capacity to govern”.
Green light in Brazil for controversial dam in Amazon jungle
A controversial project to build a massive hydroelectric dam in the heart of the Amazon jungle has received the go-ahead from Brazil’s environmental protection agency, despite objections from environmentalists and indigenous people who live in the area.
Australian Central bank takes a pause: leaves rates unchanged at 3.75%
Australia's central bank Tuesday left interest rates on hold at 3.75%, surprising analysts by ending a sequence of three consecutive rises, but hinted at further hikes to come.
Brazil props fisheries patrolling and management with 27 vessels
Brazil’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry is planning to invest the equivalent of 17 million US dollars in optimising fisheries patrolling during 2010.
Washington praises political steps taken by new Honduran administration
The new Honduras government is “one step” toward the country’s return to the Organization of American States and recovery of international credit lost during the seven month coup, said the US top diplomat to Latin America.
Montevideo seems prepared to vote for a Communist Mayor next May
Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital will most probably have as of next July a Communist Mayor with the support from the political machinery that has dominated undisputedly the city’s politics for the last two decades.
