Stories for February 2009

Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
56-year-old becomes 1st woman to swim Atlantic

Jennifer Figge pressed her toes into the Caribbean sand, exhilarated and exhausted as she touched land this week for the first time in almost a month.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador President Correa Expels US Embassy Attache

Ecuador's left-wing president has ordered the expulsion of a senior US diplomat, accusing him of suspending aid to Ecuador's anti-drugs programme.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN warns poverty “may soar” by 15% in Latinamerica

The global financial crisis could cause poverty to rise in Latin America by as much as 15% this year, a senior UN official has warned. Rebeca Grynspan, regional head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said Latin American governments needed to take action urgently.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras elected leading ethical oil and gas company

Brazil's government managed oil and Petrobras was elected the leading ethical reputation multinational enterprise by Geneva-based Covalence Ethical Ranking 2008.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Madoff Ponzi-scheme “caught” Argentines with 500 million USD

The colossal global Ponzi-scheme scam mounted by Wall Street financer Bernard Madoff and which is estimated in the range of 50 billion US dollars, apparently includes at least 500 million US dollars from Argentine investors, reports the Buenos Aires press.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Tories deny any possibility of Scottish independence

United Kingdom Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would do everything in his power to prevent Scottish independence if he becomes Prime Minister. Mr Cameron's assertion comes days after his party backed the SNP's (Scottish National Party) budget north of the border.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UK warning: another freezing night and icy Monday forecasted

Forecasters warned more snow is on the way to Great Britain and the Government widened the search for foreign road salt and one council started using table salt to grit its roads.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Warning to British “nationalized” banks on bonus rewards

British Chancellor Alistair Darling has told RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) failure should not be rewarded with huge bonuses, but says he cannot rule out pay-outs for some staff.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Pisco Sour Day” celebration in Peru challenges Chile

Peru begun on Saturday the celebration of “Pisco Sour Day”, a cocktail considered national cultural heritage and whose origin denomination is under dispute with neighbouring Chile. The celebration includes huge open parties, free tasting, dancing, gastronomy related to the emblematic drink also called the “flag liquor” of Peru.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US Congress panel claims Treasury “over paid” 78 bn to banks

The United States Congressional Oversight Panel says the government overpaid for distressed financial assets and shares last year. It says the US Treasury paid 78 billion US dollars more than it should when buying stakes in banks through the 700 billion US dollars Troubled Assets Relief Program (Tarp).