Stories for February 4th 2008

Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay's “double risk”: inflation or exports incentive loss

Uruguay's consumer prices index, CPI increased 0.78% in January, below expectations but the largest monthly rise since last August, 1.73%. January's CPI a year ago was 1.77% and in 2006, 1.37%. The last twelve months CPI now stands at 7.44%, still above the 3 to 7% Central Bank target.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Cheap US dollar, strong imports erode Brazil's trade surplus

Brazil's trade surplus narrowed to a 5 and a half year low in January as a cheaper dollar and rising consumer demand pushed imports to a record high. Imports increased to 12.3 billion US dollars in January from 10.6 billion in December.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil launch the biggest part of Rio's five-day dances

Brazilian beauties wearing only sequins led carnival parades lasting until dawn Sunday as second-division samba groups used a kaleidoscope of colorful dancers and floats to launch the biggest part of Rio's five-day bash.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UK: concerns about wind farms threat to MoD radar

Concerns about wind turbines interfering with military radar are threatening ambitious Government plans of £ 200 million windfarm development.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuelan military 'on alert' for possible Colombian threat

President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela's military is on alert for possible threats from Colombia, warning the neighbouring government not to try to stir up an armed conflict.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay keeps consolidated budget deficit on target

In spite of a surge in expenditure in the last quarter Uruguay managed to keep to its fiscal target in 2007 with a budget deficit equivalent to 0.34% of GDP, below the 0.5% established in the Central Bank financial program.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
Bahamas accedes to two UN marine pollution treaties

The Bahamas, home to the world's third-largest registered fleet of ships, has acceded to two key International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions that aim to discourage environmental pollution on the high seas, the United Nations agency announced today.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
RFA Lyme Bay has sailed on a mission to Tristan da Cunha

The MoD reported that RFA Lyme Bay was preparing to sail to Tristan da Cunha, where urgent repairs to the main harbour are required.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
UN: More effective strategies to prevent global conflicts.

Despite a wide range of tools available to the United Nations in the areas of preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace building, a new United Nations calls for measures to boost the world body's capacity to prevent conflicts.
Monday, February 4th 2008 - 20:00 UTC
World Said to Be on Brink of Cancer Epidemic

International health agencies say the world is on the brink of a cancer epidemic. The World Health Organization reports 7.6 million people died of the disease in 2005. It predicts the number of cancer deaths and new cases of the disease will rise astronomically in the coming years, unless action is taken now to reverse smoking trends and provide treatment to patients in developing countries.