Stories for February 2009

Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazilian inflation slows for third consecutive month

Brazilian January consumer inflation was 0.48% accumulating 5.84% in the last twelve months, slowing for a third consecutive months after having reached a three year high in October, according to the latest release from the country's statistics office.
Friday, February 6th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazil's grains crop estimate down but at “comfortable level”

Insufficient rainfall in south Brazil, mostly in the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, Matto Grosso do Sul and west Santa Catarina, will cause a 6.53% drop in the 2008/09 grain crop, which will fall from 144.11 million tons to 134.70 million tons, reported this week the Supply Office (Conab) from the Agriculture and Livestock ministry.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Petrobras announces 92 billion USD investment plan

Brazil's government-managed oil and gas corporation Petrobras announced Wednesday its domestic Exploration and Production plan for 2009/2013 which involves 92 billion US dollars.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Mexico floods market with dollars to stop run on the Peso

Mexico's central bank and finance ministry confirmed that the bank had intervened on Wednesday to prop up the ailing peso currency by selling dollars directly to market players.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Brazilian opposition delays Venezuela's Mercosur bid

Members of the Brazilian Congress opposition again delayed on Wednesday the consideration of Venezuela's Mercosur incorporation protocol, in spite of strong appeals from the ruling coalition of President Lula da Silva.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Fossil remains of snake “as long as a bus” in Colombia

The discovery of fossilised remains belonging to the world's largest snake has been reported in Nature journal. Titanoboa was 13 meters long - about the length of a bus - and lived in the rainforest of north-east Colombia 58-60 million years ago.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Spain unemployment rate 14.4% or 3.3 million jobless

Unemployment in Spain, which has the highest jobless rate in the European Union, rose by the most in at least 13 years in January in the 10th monthly increase totalling 3.3 million out of jobs, reported this week the Labour ministry.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UN office proposes “South-South” trade to cope with crisis

Trade, investment and other cooperation between developing countries – so called ”South-South exchange – could soften the blow of the economic crisis on vulnerable economies, the head of the United Nations agency that promotes commerce to fight poverty said on Wednesday.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia admits dengue epidemic is “out of control”

Bolivia's Public Health Minister Ramiro Tapia admitted Wednesday that the mosquito transmitted dengue epidemics which has extended to the whole territory is “out of control” and said a total 8.152 cases had been reported of which 7 deaths.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falklands optimistic about cruise passenger season

This season has brought a “significant increase” in cruise passengers according to the Falkland Islands Tourist Board.