Stories for February 26th 2009

Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
British de-mining experts team to visit Falklands

A de-mining reconnaissance team will visit the Falkland Islands from March 2 until March 6.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
IMF interested in resuming dialogue with Argentina

The International Monetary Fund is interested in resuming dialogue with Argentina, a fund spokesman said on Thursday, indicating ties may be thawing between Buenos Aires and the Washington-based multilateral organization.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
Banker challenges PM Brown “failure should not be rewarded”

Former Royal Bank of Scotland boss Sir Fred Goodwin has written to the Treasury indicating he will not voluntarily give up his pension, it has been revealed. Sir Fred is coming under increasing pressure to give up at least part of the pension, worth an estimated ?693,000-a-year, which he is already receiving at the age of 50 under an early retirement deal agreed with the RBS board when he was forced out last October.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
British catholic bishop apologizes over Holocaust controversy

A British bishop whose denial of the Holocaust embroiled Pope Benedict XVI in controversy has apologised for his remarks, a Catholic news agency said. Bishop Richard Williamson, with the conservative Society of St Pius X, had faced worldwide criticism over a television interview in which he said no Jews were gassed during the Holocaust.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
UK scheme to unload banks' toxic assets and recover confidence

The United Kingdom Treasury has launched a taxpayer-backed scheme to insure banks' riskiest assets against further losses. The scheme aims to clean up banks' balance sheets and to encourage them to lend more freely.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
Obama unveils 3.6 trillion 2010 budget; 250 billion for banks

President Barack Obama has unveiled a 3.6 trillion US dollars budget for 2010, aiming to pull the US out of financial crisis. Obama predicted the budget deficit for the current year will be 1.75 trillion US dollars, which is 12.3% of annual output and the biggest since World War II.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
UK banks and regulators point fingers to political sector

The chairman of United Kingdom's Financial Services Authority has said its failure to spot the banking crisis in advance was partly due to the style of regulation. A “light touch” approach at the City watchdog had been seen as politically preferred, Lord Turner said.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
Italian cruise lands passengers following energy blackout

The Italian flagged cruise vessel Costa Romantica with 1.400 passengers that was anchored seven miles southwest of the Uruguayan coast after suffering a power blackout was heading Thursday evening for Punta del Este to disembark travellers who will continue their trip to Argentina by land and ferry.
Thursday, February 26th 2009 - 23:00 UTC
Argentina reacts strongly to CIA report on possible instability

The Argentine government summoned on Thursday the US ambassador in Buenos Aires to demand an explanation regarding a report from newly appointed CIA chief Leon Panetta which states that Argentina, given the current world crisis could face a serious economic situation and instability.