Stories for February 2009

Friday, February 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Chile cuts benchmark lending rate 2.5 percentage points

Chile's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate by a steep 2.5 points to 4.25%, citing declining inflation and slow economic growth. The rate cut is larger than the 1 to 1.5 points expected by the market.
Friday, February 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bachelet finds Fidel Castro “very active and very agile”

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro met with visiting Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Thursday said she found him “very active and in good condition” and “very much interested in Chilean affairs”.
Friday, February 13th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: 'An accident waiting to happen'; Desire rig prospects improve; New passport stamp for visitors.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil promotes construction: plans 1 m houses by 2010

Brazilian president Lula da Silva said the government will help build one million new homes by 2010 to revive economic growth and as part of a package of measures to bolster the domestic market to be announced in coming days.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Chilean peso at a four month high against US dollar

The Chilean peso hit a new four-month high on Wednesday, driven higher as banks and pension funds sold dollars to buy local bonds, while stocks retreated ahead of a likely aggressive central bank rate cut.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
PM Brown questioned over links with contested bankers

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is under pressure over his links with former HBOS chief Sir James Crosby, who quit earlier as deputy head of the Financial Services Authority.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US trade deficit in December falls to a record low 39 billion

The US trade deficit fell to the lowest level in nearly six years in December as the recession depressed demand for imports. US Commerce Department said Wednesday that the deficit in December fell 4% to 39.9 billion US dollars from 41.6 billion in November.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US federal budget 2009 shortfall could reach one trillion

The US budget deficit widened more than economists forecast in January as spending soared and corporate tax receipts shrank, putting the Treasury on course for a record annual shortfall of more than one trillion USD.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Panama Canal forecasts 5% drop in cargo tonnage

The global slowdown have influenced estimates of the Panama Canal Authority, CAP, which now forecasts a 5% drop in cargo tonnage going through the waterway in 2008-2009. This represents a decrease close to 19.9 million tons, leaving a total of 294.1 million.
Thursday, February 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Peace Nobel Prize Lech Walesa banned from Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said that former Polish president and Nobel Prize winner Lech Walesa won't be allowed to visit his country.