Stories for January 2009

Tuesday, January 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Pesticides and chemicals ban controversy in the EU

The European Parliament has voted to tighten rules on pesticide use and ban at least 22 chemicals deemed harmful to human health. The UK government, the Conservatives and the National Farmers' Union all oppose the new rules, saying they could hit yields and increase food prices. The rules have not yet been approved by the 27 member states' governments.
Tuesday, January 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay raises basic rate to 10% to combat inflation

Uruguay's Central bank this week raised its reference interest rate by 2.25 percentage points to 10% in an attempt to contain inflation which last year closed at 9.19%, above government target and the highest since 2003.
Tuesday, January 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
China close to Latam: becomes formal member of IDB

China formally joined the Inter-American Development Bank in a signing and flag placement ceremony held on Monday at the IDB's headquarters in Washington, DC. The Asian giant became the Bank's 48th member nation, contributing 350 million US dollars to various programs.
Tuesday, January 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
First 2009 (mild) dengue case reported in Paraguay

Paraguayan health officials confirmed the first case of dengue fever here so far this year and announced a health blockade along the border with Argentina after the deaths of two men from yellow fever in the neighbouring country.
Tuesday, January 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Spain's recession hits remittances from immigrants

Immigrants' remittances from Spain to home countries totalled 1.95 billion Euros in the first three quarters of 2008, down 7% from the same period a year ago, reported the Banco de España.
Monday, January 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Record Latam inflation in Venezuela last year: 30.9%

The inflation rate reached 30.9% in 2008, an 11-year high, according to the latest release from the Venezuelan Central bank. The bank also said prices rose 31.9% in the capital, Caracas, the highest level since 1997, outstripping the 2007 figure, 22.5%.
Monday, January 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Another Kirchner official calls for end to Botnia pickets

Another strong voice joined the choir of Argentine officials calling for a “responsible attitude” to guarantee free circulation along the three international bridges linking Argentina with Uruguay, which for over two years have been under control of pickets protesting the construction of a pulp mill on the Uruguayan side.
Monday, January 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falklands conflict trophy up for auction in Oxford

A battle trophy taken from a patrol boat after the Argentine surrender of the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982 is expected to reach hundreds of pounds at auction, reports The News from Portsmouth.
Monday, January 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Rio Tinto freezes Corumba iron ore development in Brazil

In response to the collapse of commodity prices and demand giant Australian-UK minerals corporation Rio Tinto announced the postponement of one of its key iron ore expansion projects, the 2.15 billion US dollars Corumba mine in the heartland of Brazil.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Successful trial in Antarctica of super pressure balloon

NASA and the National Science Foundation have successfully launched and demonstrated over Antarctica a newly designed super pressure balloon prototype that may enable a new era of high-altitude scientific research. The super-pressure balloon ultimately will carry large scientific experiments to the brink of space for 100 days or more.