Stories for February 2011

Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 18:06 UTC
In spite of 100 years of production, Venezuela claims world’s largest proven oil reserves

Venezuela holds 297 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, most of it in tar sands but sufficient to be ahead of Saudi Arabia considered by world experts the number one country in reserves.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 16:43 UTC
Suriname recognizes a Palestinian state on 1967 borders

The Republic of Suriname on Tuesday became the latest South American country to officially recognize a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, Palestinian Authority Foreign Affairs Minister Riad Al-Malki said.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 16:39 UTC
‘Lex Duvalier’ enables Switzerland to confiscate and repatriate illicit dictator assets

Switzerland has moved to confiscate frozen assets linked to former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier. The Swiss cabinet asked Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf to begin proceedings to seize around 6.2 million US dollars that has been frozen in Swiss bank accounts since 1986, with a view to returning the funds to the Haitian people.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 16:35 UTC
Mexico produces first “artisan honey-ales” directed to the gay-lesbian market

A Mexican brewery has launched the first beer targeted to the gay community with a slight honey flavour and with plans to market the product in Mexico, Colombia and Japan among other interested countries.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 14:30 UTC
Castro tells bureaucrats to end waste, improvisation and listen to people’s concerns

President Raul Castro called on the Cuban government to eliminate waste and provide more efficient and improved quality services while keeping “feet and ears on the ground” to closely listen to Cubans concerns regarding the economic reforms recently put into practice.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 14:27 UTC
Brazilian oil output reaches 2.18 million bpd in December; 9% above a year ago

Brazil’s production of oil and natural gas in December 2010 surpassed the previous one-month record, according to a release from the ANP regulatory agency. December 2010 oil output of 2.18 million barrels per day represents a 4.4% increase over November and was 9.1% higher than in December 2009.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 14:24 UTC
Egypt triggers debate in the US on an internet “switch off” bill

While Egypt's government attempted to crackdown on street protests by shutting down internet and mobile phone services, United States is preparing to reintroduce a bill that could be used to shut down the internet.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 07:06 UTC
Argentina declares compulsory conciliation to end crippling strike at export ports

Argentina's government has ordered unions to suspend a week-old strike at leading grains ports for a 15-day period to hold talks with company bosses, a Labour Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 07:00 UTC
Obama message to Mubarak: orderly political transition “must begin now”

US President Barack Obama has said an orderly political transition “must begin now” in Egypt and lead to free and fair elections. His statement followed the announcement by Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak that he would not stand for re-election.
Wednesday, February 2nd 2011 - 06:56 UTC
Six candidates to fill the post of FAO Director General

Six candidates have been put forward by member nations of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to succeed Senegalese Jaques Diouf as Director General in elections to be held in June.