Stories for December 2009

Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 09:26 UTC
Highlanders stationed in Falklands triumph in Chilean war game competition

An elite team of British soldiers beat Special Forces from around the world to win a grueling competition in the driest place on Earth, repots Daily Record.co.uk. The eight-man unit from the Highlanders (4 Scots) picked up the gold medal in the Chilean Patrol Competition before their recent deployment to the Falkland Islands.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 08:31 UTC
British soldiers in Falklands’ sheep castrating operation

A team of British soldiers has helped castrate sheep on the Falkland Islands after tragedy hit two farm workers, reports the Belfast Telegraph.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 08:28 UTC
Paraguay economy contracts 0.3% in third quarter confirming strong recession

Paraguay’s GDP in the third quarter contracted 0.3% compared a year ago confirming the country’s recession, according to the latest report from the Central Bank. However the performance was an improvement compared to the drop of previous quarters, which “could be anticipating the recovery of the economy for the coming year”.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 08:15 UTC
Third credit rating agency downgrades Greek sovereign bonds

A third credit ratings agency has downgraded Greek government bonds over concerns about the country's ability to reduce its high levels of debt. Moody's is the third of the three major international agencies to downgrade Greece, following similar moves by Fitch and Standard & Poor's.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 08:09 UTC
China's GDP per capita expected to climb to 4.000 USD by end of 2010

China's GDP per capita is expected to climb to 4,000 US dollars by the end of next year, according to the 2010 social blue book issued Monday, reports Global Times.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 08:07 UTC
China and Taiwan agree to closer economic ties

China and Taiwan have signed the latest in a series of economic deals, amid some disquiet on the island at their ever-closer relationship. Chen Yunlin, China's top Taiwan envoy, agreed the deals with his Taiwanese counterpart on the second day of his four-day visit to the island.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 07:53 UTC
EU votes to extend tariffs on shoes from China and Vietnam

The European Union has voted to extend tariffs on shoes from China and Vietnam in order to help European producers compete with cheaper imports. The tariffs, which were first introduced in 2006, will last for a further 15 months.
A number of countries in the EU were opposed to the extension.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 07:46 UTC
Spain vetoes Gibraltar for data protection and right to privacy convention

Spain has vetoed Gibraltar’s role as interlocutor in a 2001 European Convention of data protection, right to privacy and exchange of data between member states, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 07:38 UTC
Glacier experts’ international summit next February in Chile

Chile will be the focus of international attention in February when Valdivia’s Centre for Scientific Studies (CECS) hosts an international conference of more than 150 experts on glaciers and climate change.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2009 - 06:17 UTC
Spain’s Air Comet grounded leaves thousands stranded in Latinamerica

Spain's long-haul leisure carrier Air Comet stopped flying Tuesday, stranding thousands of passengers at airports in Spain and Latin America.