Stories for 2009

Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:49 UTC
China’s strong economic data fuel annual growth prospect of 8%

The latest economic data from China suggests that industrial production grew year on year at a level faster than expected. Retail sales also rose by more than analysts had predicted, while consumer prices continued to fall.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:47 UTC
UK offers military land in Cyprus to help seal reunification deal

Britain has offered to give up half of the land occupied by its sovereign military bases in Cyprus if the divided island's leaders can seal a reunification deal. In an attempt to show they are serious about supporting a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem, Britain has renewed an offer to cede about half the territory of its bases in Cyprus.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:42 UTC
Three candidates to challenge US dollar as dominant reserve currency

A new report from researchers at the International Monetary Fund sees at least three candidates that could eventually challenge the US dollar's role as the world's dominant reserve currency: the Euro, the Yen and the Chinese Yuan.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 10:30 UTC
Argentine church calls government to improve “social cohesion and bring peace”

The Argentine Catholic Church called Wednesday on the government to improve “social cohesion and bring peace” to Argentines. At a conference headed by Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio to mark the 25th anniversary of a peace treaty between Argentina and Chile mediated by Pope John Paul II, the cardinal claimed the government “has the obligation to resolve all its controversies by the use of peaceful methods.”
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 09:29 UTC
Argentine government monthly report: “signs of slow recovery”

Argentina’s cabinet chief Aníbal Fernández reported there were signs of “a slow recovery” in the economy, during his monthly address to the Congress. “The usual soothsayers were wrong in their predictions,” he said, claiming that GDP fell less abruptly in Argentina than in Peru, Chile or even Brazil.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 09:25 UTC
US dollar role as reserve currency “intact” but Yuan becoming an alternative

World Bank President Robert Zoellick said that the dollar's role as a reserve currency is intact, but the United States cannot take it for granted and needs to tackle its huge fiscal deficit.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 07:49 UTC
South Georgia expects 65 cruise calls this season; “Ushuaia” was the first

South Georgia received the first cruise ship of the season “Ushuaia” October 6th when she arrived at Grytviken. The Panamanian flagged vessel operated by Argentina’s Antarpply Expeditions, based returned on a separate cruise on the 27th.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 07:26 UTC
Uruguay’s cruise season moves to Punta del Este fuelled by regional demand

Uruguay’s 2009/2010 cruise season is scheduled to begin next November 20th in Montevideo with the arrival of “Minerva” and four days later in Punta del Este with “MSC Musica”.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 06:56 UTC
Brazilian mini-skirt student rejects offer to pose for Playboy

The Brazilian edition of Playboy is interested in having the 20 year college student Geisy Arruda who sparked national commotion with her miniskirts, as girl of the month. Geidy was first expelled from the university and attacked by fellow students because of her “provocative attitudes” but had to be later readmitted.
Thursday, November 12th 2009 - 06:37 UTC
Brazil can’t explain the four hours massive blackout

The world’s largest operational hydroelectric dam, Itaipú which on Tuesday caused a four hours blackout in 16 of Brazil’s 27 states and most of Paraguay was back in full production early morning Wednesday but authorities have so far remained silent about the causes of the major turnoff.