Stories for 2009

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.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UK trade unions win first labour “protectionism” case

UK oil refinery workers who walked out in a dispute over foreign labour have agreed to return to work. Hundreds of workers at the Lindsey Oil Refinery, in North Lincolnshire, voted to end their unofficial industrial action after accepting a deal drawn up by union officials and companies at the heart of the row.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US Senate softens controversial “Buy American” clause

The US Senate has voted to soften a controversial “Buy American” clause in an economic recovery package, after warnings it might spark a trade war. The clause had sought to ensure only US iron, steel and manufactured goods were used in projects funded by the bill.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Bank of England cuts rate to 1%, and hopes for the best

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted on Thursday to reduce the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves by 0.5 percentage points to 1.0%. This marks the fifth interest rate cut since October, as the BoE seeks to encourage more lending and stimulate the UK economy which is officially in recession since December. Base rates stood at 5% last October.
Thursday, February 5th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Punta Arenas expects 4.175 cruise visitors on Saturday

Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile will be taken over by 4.175 cruise visitors when two huge vessels, “Star Princess” and “Radiance of the Seas” call in on Saturday. “Carnival Splendour” with 3.700 visitors is expected at the end of the month.