Stories for January 22nd 2009

Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil targets growth and cuts basic rate one full point

Brazil's Central bank reduced its benchmark SELIC interest rate a full point to 12.75% on Wednesday, its biggest cut since December 2003. Policy makers slashed the Selic rate by 1 percentage point to its lowest level since March 2007, when Brazil was still enjoying a boom that ended abruptly with the global economic crisis late last year.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Chile: Billiton defers copper expansion project, axes 2.000 jobs

The world's largest diversified mining corporation, Anglo-Australian BHP Billiton announced on Wednesday 6.000 job cuts, 2.000 of which at operations in copper mines in Chile following the decision to defer expansion projects.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Constructive relation with Spain enhance Gibraltar conditions

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Peter Caruana declared that the British Overseas Territory's quality of life and socio-economic and political opportunities are enhanced when relations with Spain are the most constructive possible.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Low prices high costs threaten Argentine squid industry

Argentina's squid sector is “hopeful, yet concerned” about the season which is scheduled to begin in a few days time, said Fernando Georgiadis, chairman of the country's Chamber of Jigger Vessels, CAPA in an interview with FIS.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Obama takes presidential oath of office a second time

Barack Obama retook on Wednesday the US presidential oath of office, after the inauguration blunder that was heard throughout the world. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts delivered the oath to Mr Obama at the White House in a rare move in which no TV camera crews or news photographers were allowed in.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Overwhelming support for Hillary Clinton Secretary of State

The United States Senate in an overwhelming 94 to 2 vote Wednesday, gave final approval to the nomination of Senator and former First Lady Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Action was delayed by one day because of Republican concerns about fund-raising by former President Bill Clinton's charitable foundation.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US Coast Guard conditions vessels arriving from Venezuela

As of January 23 the United States Coast Guard is imposing conditions of entry on vessels arriving from Venezuela. The measures will be applied to “any type of vessels arriving from Venezuela”.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falklands are fantastic for training, says RIC commander

The new Falkland Islands Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) rotated in over the New Year Period. They are from 1st Battalion (Cheshire), The Mercian Regiment.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
RIC help Falklands' farmers and prepare for Afghanistan

THE visiting platoon of the 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), --which this year rotates into the new Falkland Island Roulement Infantry Company (RIC) -- has wasted no time getting their boots dirty and have been mucking in on farms on East and West Falklands since their arrival over the New Year.
Thursday, January 22nd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Legal process, ethics, transparency, mark Obama's first day

US President Barack Obama is expected to sign an executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year. A draft order circulated on Wednesday also called for halting military trials in the prison, where terror suspects had been held for years without trial.