Stories for January 2009

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.
Friday, January 23rd 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Tricky coincidences of Mrs. Kirchner's overseas agenda

The tricky coincidences of Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner diplomatic calendar agenda could again leave her exposed: next April 2nd, which marks the beginning of the Falkland Islands conflict in 1982, will have her in London for a top global economic summit hosted by British PM Gordon Brown.
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.