Stories for February 2009

Tuesday, February 17th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Civic spirit” of Venezuela's vote praised by US

The United States cautiously welcomed Venezuela's Sunday referendum vote to scrap limits on how often politicians, including President Hugo Chavez, can run for office.
Tuesday, February 17th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazilian metal unions accept job stability for salary cuts

Brazil metalworkers unions from the country's powerhouse, Sao Paulo state, have agreed to salary and working hours cuts in an attempt to save 16.300 jobs, according to industry sources.
Tuesday, February 17th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
ENCE confirms freezing of Uruguay pull plant project

Spanish pulp company ENCE confirmed to Uruguayan officials that they are freezing the construction of the one million plus tons plant project in Punta Pereira until they find an associate, but discarded any chances of abandoning the whole operation, reports the Montevideo press.
Tuesday, February 17th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Cruise vessel runs aground in Antarctica; pax, crew, all safe

CRUISE vessel M/V Ocean Nova grounded at Marguerite Bay, west of Debenham Island in Antarctica today, Feburay 17, but all onboard are safe. The vessel grounded two kilometers from the Argentine research station San Martin. An initial assessment of damage indicated that there was no imminent danger and no threat to lives.
Tuesday, February 17th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falklands chairs UK Overseas Territories Association

FALKLAND Islands Government Representative in London, Sukey Cameron, was this week elected to chair the UK Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) for the coming year.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela's Chavez wins unlimited re-election vote

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has won the Sunday referendum to eliminate term limits, paving the way for a new re-election in 2012 - and beyond - and push through his vision of a Socialist nation
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Argentine GDP expansion in 4Q lowest in five years

The Argentine economy expanded 4.9% in the last quarter of 2008 compared to the same period a year earlier and dropped 0.3% from the 2008 third quarter. This would mean the slowest expansion in five years, according to the latest figures released by the controversial Statistics Institute, Indec
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Chilean opposition presidential candidate ahead in polls

The Chilean Concertación ruling coalition official presidential candidate Eduardo Frei would stand eight points behind conservative presidential hopeful Sebastián Piñera in the event of a run off next January, (following December's first round) according to TNS-Time public opinion poll taken between January 12 and 31st.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Suggestions of more ECB/Fed exchange rate cooperation

Robert Mundell, the Nobel Laureate whose research helped set the foundation for the creation of the Euro, said the US and Europe should cooperate to prevent exchange-rate swings from worsening the global recession.
Monday, February 16th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Evo Morales in Moscow to sign gas development deal

Evo Morales has become the first Bolivian President to visit Russia, after touching down in Moscow on Sunday. Morales is expected to sign crucial natural gas cooperation agreements and seek aid to combat drugs.

The visit is also viewed as another sign of Russia's increased interest in Latin America.

Morales told reporters on Friday that he would discuss the immediate purchase of helicopters and loans of other aircraft to fight coca production when he visits Russia.