Stories for 2009

Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Madoff Ponzi-scheme “caught” Argentines with 500 million USD

The colossal global Ponzi-scheme scam mounted by Wall Street financer Bernard Madoff and which is estimated in the range of 50 billion US dollars, apparently includes at least 500 million US dollars from Argentine investors, reports the Buenos Aires press.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Tories deny any possibility of Scottish independence

United Kingdom Conservative leader David Cameron has said he would do everything in his power to prevent Scottish independence if he becomes Prime Minister. Mr Cameron's assertion comes days after his party backed the SNP's (Scottish National Party) budget north of the border.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
UK warning: another freezing night and icy Monday forecasted

Forecasters warned more snow is on the way to Great Britain and the Government widened the search for foreign road salt and one council started using table salt to grit its roads.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Warning to British “nationalized” banks on bonus rewards

British Chancellor Alistair Darling has told RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) failure should not be rewarded with huge bonuses, but says he cannot rule out pay-outs for some staff.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Pisco Sour Day” celebration in Peru challenges Chile

Peru begun on Saturday the celebration of “Pisco Sour Day”, a cocktail considered national cultural heritage and whose origin denomination is under dispute with neighbouring Chile. The celebration includes huge open parties, free tasting, dancing, gastronomy related to the emblematic drink also called the “flag liquor” of Peru.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US Congress panel claims Treasury “over paid” 78 bn to banks

The United States Congressional Oversight Panel says the government overpaid for distressed financial assets and shares last year. It says the US Treasury paid 78 billion US dollars more than it should when buying stakes in banks through the 700 billion US dollars Troubled Assets Relief Program (Tarp).
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela appeals to reserves to sustain public spending

Venezuela will spend 1.65 billion US dollars from its National Development Fund in the first quarter to sustain public spending after a drop in international crude prices and the global slowdown have affected the country, said President Hugo Chavez.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
The Economist eyes at Uruguay/Argentina: profiting from virtue

An article from The Economist (Feb. 5th), “Profiting from Virtue” praises Uruguay's prudent and orthodox economic policies, under the “leftish” government of President Tabare Vazquez and states the country is better placed to mitigate world recession than its neighbor Argentina.
Sunday, February 8th 2009 - 01:59 UTC
Bolivia's Morales: New constitution takes effect

Evo Morales, Bolivia's president, has enacted a new constitution which hands greater powers to the country's indigenous majority and allows him to seek a second five-year term.
Saturday, February 7th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Mrs. Kirchner believes Obama has read Perón's writings

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said this week she was pleased when she heard US President Barack Obama say that “trade unions are not part of the problem but part of the solution”.