Stories for February 24th 2009

Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Free fall: US shares down to lowest since October 1997

US shares have fallen sharply on concerns about the government's latest attempts to shore up the banks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday closed down 250.9 points, or 3.41%, at 7,114.8, its lowest since October 1997.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Influential Senator admits US embargo against Cuba “failed”

The US economic embargo on Cuba “has failed” and should be re-evaluated, senior Republican Senator Richard Lugar argues in a report.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine icebreaker Almirante Irizar back to sea in 30 months

Argentina's icebreaker and backbone of its Antarctic effort, Almirante Irizar, will again be operational in 30 months time following an estimated investment of 100 million US dollars, announced Monday Defence minister Nilda Garré.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Oil & Gas concludes sea bed survey at four sites

Falkland Oil and Gas ((FOGL), the oil and gas exploration company with extensive licensed areas to the South and East of the Falkland Islands, said Monday that it has completed the survey program at four areas with the MV Fugro Meridian. The four areas were jointly selected by the operatior BHP Billiton and FOGL.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
At least 50 cases of dengue confirmed in north Argentina

Argentine authorities have admitted that at least fifty cases of mosquito transmitted dengue have been reported in the northwest of the country, neighbouring with Bolivia, one of which confirmed haemorrhagic.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Rio' Carnival parade with a prophylactic presidential touch

Spectacular bodies, minimum clothing plus bubbles, feathers and glitter blended the first night of parades in Rio do Janeiro's Carnival, as the city's samba schools battled for top honours in what Brazilians proudly consider the world's largest party.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Implementation of Chilean stimulus plan boosts Peso

The Chilean peso surged on Tuesday following the announcement the government would sell US dollars on the local market to finance a massive fiscal stimulus package. The peso closed at 603.30/603.80 per dollar compared to Monday's 624.00/624.50 per dollar.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Dakar Rally will again be hosted by Argentina and Chile

The Chilean government confirmed this week that Chile and Argentina will again be co-hosting the 2010 edition of the Dakar Rally which for the first time took place this summer in both South American countries including the crossing of the mighty Andes cordillera.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Madrid makes formal protest over royal visit to Gibraltar

Spain has complained officially to Britain over next week's visit of Princess Anne to Gibraltar, labelling it as “inopportune” reported Tuesday the Gibraltar Chronicle. The Princess Royal is due to open a medical centre named after her but which Spain says is particularly sensitive to them because it is on “the disputed isthmus”.
Tuesday, February 24th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Mercosur members can't agree on consensus for G20

Mercosur Standing Secretary General Carlos Alvarez admitted it was difficult for the South American trade group to unify positions because “some countries see the global crisis as something distant”.