Stories for October 2009

Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 06:19 UTC
UK rates to remain low for years amid tax rises and spending cuts

UK interest rates will stay low for years amid tax rises and spending cuts, according to an economic forecast. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) believes the rate will remain at its current 0.5% level until 2011 and not reach 2% until 2014.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 06:15 UTC
China begins 26th Antarctica season with a team of 251 scientists

Chinese scientists have set off from Shanghai for their 26th research mission to the Antarctic. The “Snow Dragon”, China's main research ship in the polar region, has gone through a series of maintenance and technical readjustments, according to Global Times.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 03:57 UTC
Chilean government announces major Mapuche land repatriation

Chile’s government last week announced plans to purchase and return 33,000 hectares (more than 80,000 acres) to indigenous communities in southern Region IX, paying record prices for estates that have become emblematic to the native Mapuche cause
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 03:54 UTC
British MPs repayments expenses conflict: a political or legal question?

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron are battling to contain the growing anger among MPs across Parliament faced with demands to repay thousands of pounds in expenses.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 03:49 UTC
UK September’s weaker inflation surprises and triggers doubts about recovery

Inflation in Britain has sunk faster than expected to hit a five-year low last month, official figures showed. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) for September stood at 1.1% - down from August's 1.6% - as hikes in household energy bills in 2008 compared with unchanged bills for the same month this year.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 03:47 UTC
Mini-reshuffle in Foreign Office cabinet

A mini-reshuffle in the British cabinet or simply “housekeeping”, according to PM Brown’s spokesperson, has switched Baroness Kinnock from her post as Europe Minister, --just four months into the job--, to be replaced by Welsh MP Chris Bryant, who nevertheless remains as a junior member in the department.
Wednesday, October 14th 2009 - 00:41 UTC
Falkland Islands de-mining contract signed

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has announced that Battle Area Clearance and Training Equipment Consultants (BACTEC) International Limited has been chosen to carry out the Falkland Islands de-mining project.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 23:46 UTC
Bachelet celebrates Chile’s qualification for World Cup in South Africa

President Michelle Bachelet this weekend celebrated Chile’s 4 – 2 victory on Saturday over Colombia, a victory that assured Chile a berth at the upcoming World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa in 2010.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 11:10 UTC
Abu Dhabi one of many buyers of Santander Brazil IPO

Publicly listed Abu Dhabi fund Aabar Investments PJSC which is the biggest shareholder in Daimler AG, invested 328 million US dollars in Banco Santander (Brasil) SA by buying shares in its initial public offering.
Tuesday, October 13th 2009 - 07:09 UTC
Eleven candidates expected for Falklands General Election

Eleven candidates are predicted will compete for the eight available seats at the Falkland Islands General Election on November 5.