Stories for January 23rd 2009

Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN Human Rights Commissioner hails Guantánamo decision

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed Thursday's decision by the new United States administration to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, as well as the decision to ban methods of interrogation that contravene international law.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
FAO launches International Year of Natural Fibres

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched on Thursday the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of familiar natural resources such as cotton, flax, wool, alpaca and even cashmere, which are often taken for granted in the face of rising competition from synthetic materials.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: Three kayaking expeditions rendezvous at Tamar Pass; Air shuttle service trial to continue; New CEO for Conservation.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Argentina/Venezuela ratify strategic, political alliance

Argentina and Venezuela signed on Thursday twenty one cooperation agreements on a range of fields, particularly agro-industry, energy and medical supplies, consolidating the strategic and political alliance between both administrations dating back to 2003.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Fidel Castro writes about Obama, Cristina and his death

Following five weeks of silence the Cuban leader Fidel Castro published on Thursday two letters or “reflections” in less than 24 hours where he addresses current issues as the new US president Barcak Obama, meeting Argentine president Cristina Kirchner and even talks about his health condition and death.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Pod of 50 sperm whales stranded off Tasmania; 2 survive

A pod of 50 sperm whales beached themselves on Australia's southern island state of Tasmania overnight, but only two of the whales survived, wildlife officials said on Friday.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
EU reintroduces export subsidies for dairy produce

The European Union has reintroduced export subsidies for dairy produce, arguing that the economic downturn has put many European farms at risk. The maximum refund for butter has been set at 500 Euros (£469; $650) per ton and the maximum for skimmed milk powder is 200 euros per ton. The last time such refunds were given to dairy farmers was in June 2007.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Britain in recession and fears of prolonged contraction

Britain has officially entered recession after figures showed the worst economic output since 1980, sparking fears of a deep and prolonged contraction. The economy shrank by a worse-than-expected 1.5% in the final three months of 2008, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Roubini says UK recession with last 18 to 24 months

UK's recession will last between one and a half and two years, a leading economist has warned. That is the estimate of Nouriel Roubini, professor of economics at New York University, and one of the few people to predict the credit crunch.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Sad pictures” of Falklands' war HMS Intrepid torn apart

London's Mail on line published Friday what it describes as “sad pictures” showing the HMS Intrepid, one of the mainstays of the Falklands Task Force, being torn apart in Britain's biggest ever recycling operation.