Stories for February 2007

Friday, February 9th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Nordkapp en route to Buenos Aires; “no traces of pollution”

The Norwegian flagged Nordkapp which ran aground in the South Shetlands Islands at the end of January has caused no environmental damage and “no traces of pollution have been found at or around Deception Island” according to a release from the Norwegian Coastal Voyage cruise company.
Friday, February 9th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil and US to boost regional ethanol industry

Ahead of US President George Bush's visit, Brazil announced plans to invest almost 5 billion US dollars over the next 10 years into biotechnology research involving renewable energy, agriculture and rain forest pharmaceuticals.
Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Caribbean islands tourism: a new form of the plantation system?

The notion of a racial divide in the Caribbean tourism industry is a problem that dare not speak its name. It creates discomfort among many of the expatriate hotel owners and managers, and governments are fearful of dealing with it.
Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Word and image Falklands Diaries joint project

An ambitious documentary project, The Falklands' Diaries, through word and sound, begins next February 14 when Welsh writer Desmond Barry and photographer Diego Vidart arrive in the Falkland Islands from Cardiff.
Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Credibility blow to Kirchner's price controls policy

Argentine president Nestor Kirchner tried Thursday to disengage this week's rise in the country's risk rating and drop in sovereign bonds, from the controversy over the ousting of the head of the Statistics and Census Office (INDEC) responsible for calculating inflation.
Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
ECB warns about medium term risks to price stability

The European Central Bank, ECB, decided Thursday to keep its key interest rate on hold at 3.5%, but pointed out that “strong vigilance” remains essential to ensure that “risks to price stability over the medium term do not materialize”.
Thursday, February 8th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of England leaves rates unchanged at 5.25%

The Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at 5.25% following a surprise rise last month. In January, the Bank increased rates from 5.0% to 5.25% in an attempt to curb inflation, which had hit an 11-year high of 3% the month before.
Wednesday, February 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Weather anomalies strike the Andean region

A heat wave is causing a string of forest fires in Colombia, in the Andes glaciers are melting, in Bolivia rainfall is double the average and in the whole Andean region climatic anomalies are forcing drastic measures to contain further damage.
Wednesday, February 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Ruling could drastically cut traffic in Brazil's busiest airport

Brazilian authorities have warned that up to 10.000 passengers could be stranded daily if a court ruling which for security reasons bans large aircrafts from operating in one of Sao Paulo's several airports, becomes effective next Thursday.
Wednesday, February 7th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US Fed chief warns about growing economic inequality

United States Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday that while on average economic well-being has increased for US citizens the degree of inequality in economic outcomes has raised as well.