Stories for December 23rd 2009

Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:52 UTC
Kidnapped Colombian governor found dead with slit throat

The body of Luis Francisco Cuellar Carvajal, governor of the Colombian department of Caqueta, was discovered Tuesday not far from where he was kidnapped the night before, government spokesperson Wilmer Rua said.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:50 UTC
YPF unveils five year plan to explore for oil and gas in the Falklands basin

Argentina's YPF, the local unit of Spanish oil major Repsol, said on Tuesday it would explore for oil and natural gas in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands basin as part of a five-year exploration program.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:44 UTC
Uruguay cuts basic rate and eases credit to sustain US dollar

Uruguay surprised markets with a 175 basic point rate cut to 6.25% from 8.00% amid expectations of lower inflation. The central bank also decided to reduce the inflation target fluctuation for the next 18 months from 3 to 7%, to 4% and 6%.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:37 UTC
Several Argentine economy indicators rebounding

Argentina’s November primary fiscal surplus increased sharply over a year ago, 46.2%, reflecting a better performance of the country’s economy, pointed out Economy minister Amado Boudou confirming what President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner had anticipated on Monday.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:23 UTC
Brazilian Central bank ready to “preventively” increase rates in 2010

Brazil’s Central bank is ready to act preventively to fight inflation after it forecast growth in 2010 will accelerate to the fastest in three years, triggering above-target inflation, said Mario Mesquita, the bank’s Economic policy director.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:10 UTC
US expands slower than expected but fourth quarter should see 4% growth

The latest economic data shows the US economy grew more slowly than first thought. US Commerce Department reports that GDP expanded at a 2.2% annual rate from July to September, down from an earlier estimate of 2.8%.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 15:03 UTC
Beijing has over 4 million cars registered (2 million in 2003)

China’s capital Beijing registry has reached 4,001,426 vehicles and 5,679,000 drivers, according to a release from the municipal government. The number of vehicles and drivers jumped 497,000 and 536,000 respectively in the last twelve months.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 09:54 UTC
Uribe offers reward for info leading to kidnapped Colombian governor

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe is offering the equivalent of almost half a million US dollars reward for information leading to the rescue of a governor snatched from his home Monday night by a guerrilla commando unit dressed in army uniforms. He also asked for the recovery of 24 military, captives of the guerrilla.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 09:51 UTC
UK economy shrinks 0.2% in third quarter; longest ever recession

The United Kingdom has now lost 6% of its entire economic output in its longest ever recession, official figures have confirmed. The current slump is on a par with the 1980s recession which blighted former premier Margaret Thatcher's early years in power.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 09:45 UTC
RAF signs contract for seventh C 17 strategic transport aircraft

The Royal Air Force has signed a contract for the seventh C17 aircraft the UK Ministry of Defence announced Tuesday. The new strategic transport aircraft will add to a fleet that has seen heavy usage during recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.