Stories for February 2008

Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Seism shakes north east Brazil causing panic but no victims

A slight tremor with 3.9 Ritcher scale degree intensity, lasting a few seconds, followed by over a hundred low intensity replicas was felt in the Brazilian northeastern state of Ceará, according to Brazilian Civil Defence.
Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Limited reopening of EU market for Brazilian beef

The European Union said Friday it will allow some Brazilian farms to export beef to Europe again, ending a month long freeze over animal disease concerns. A total of 106 farms meet EU health standards, thus reopening trade between Brazil, the world's leading beef exporter, and its main market in Europe.
Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Relief in Brazil: loss of “state secrets” was petty theft

Brazilian officials said petty theft and not corporate espionage was responsible for the disappearance of computers with highly sensitive information on recently discovered oilfields, which could make Brazil a hydrocarbons powerhouse.
Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bolivia bitterly divided over constitutional vote

A bitterly divided Bolivian Congress on Thursday approved a May 4 referendum on President Evo Morales' proposed constitutional review, which would grant greater political power to Bolivia's long-oppressed indigenous groups and greater government intervention in the economy.
Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Sovereign investment funds warn about increased regulations

The head of one of the Middle East's best-known investment funds has warned against any European Union (EU) moves to increase their regulation. State-run investment vehicles, Chinese and Middle East sovereign wealth funds have recently bought stakes in a number of Western banks and other businesses.
Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil's inflation falls to 7 month low; Real 26% stronger

Brazil's inflation index fell to a seven-month low in February mitigating concerns about an increase in interest rates to keep prices under control, which has been one of the driving forces of the administration of President Lula da Silva.
Friday, February 29th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Containing Brazilian currency appreciation is costing billions

Brazil's central bank posted a loss of 47.5 billion reais (28.5 billion US dollars) in 2007, triple the amount in the prior year, because of efforts to slow the strong real's appreciation against the US dollar.
Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
German banker freezes Euro rate cut expectations

German Bank Governing president Axel Weber warned on Wednesday that the market's consensus on interest rate expectations in the Euro zone “clearly underestimates” inflation risks and does not match the assessment of a central bank that holds price stability as its main goal.
Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Released FARC hostages meet relatives in Venezuela

Four hostages held by Colombian FARC rebels were released on Wednesday, in a deal brokered by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Several Chilean regions facing worst drought in a century

Chile's Agricultural Ministry added this week 46 districts to the growing list of agricultural zones under a state of emergency. The news comes as farmers in small towns in south-central Chile continue to loose crops and livestock due to severe drought, prompting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to call an emergency meeting in order to address the situation.