Stories for January 2010

Saturday, January 23rd 2010 - 15:02 UTC
UK British car industry contracted 30% during 2009

The damage wreaked by the recession on Britain's car industry was made clear as figures showed production in 2009 dropped almost a third on the previous year. Car production was down 30.9% compared to the previous year to 999,460 vehicles, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced.
Saturday, January 23rd 2010 - 14:58 UTC
Morales promises a tighter state control economy for “post-colonial” Bolivia

Bolivian President Evo Morales began his second consecutive term on Friday vowing to fight poverty, further tighten state control over the economy and develop some of the world's largest lithium reserves.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 17:05 UTC
Argentine Central bank dispute moves to Congress on CFK request

Argentina President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, CFK, cancelled a trip to China and called for a congressional committee to meet in an attempt to defuse the controversy over her plans to use Central bank reserves to pay for debts.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 16:59 UTC
Ex-para returns to Falklands to raise funds for combat stress charity

A Scottish Falklands’ veteran is to recreate the paratroops' famous march to Port Stanley in a bid to raise funds for an armed forces charity. Ex-para Tony Banks, who is from Dundee and has built up a £60m care home business, wants to raise more than £10,000 for Combat Stress.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 16:43 UTC
Morales becomes head of a pluri-national state blessed by Aymara gods

Bolivian president Evo Morales will be inaugurated Friday before Congress for a second mandate (2010/2015) after having achieved an overwhelming victory in December elections (64% of the vote) ensuring him majority control of both houses.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 14:53 UTC
Stock markets fall sharply in response to Obama’s bank reform proposal

World stock markets have fallen sharply in response to far-reaching plans by US President Barack Obama to curb the activities of the biggest US banks. The Dow Jones closed down 2%, its worst fall since October, while Japan's Nikkei closed at a three-week low.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 14:49 UTC
Repsol forced to reassess its Bolivian hydrocarbons reserves

Oil company Repsol YPF is studying the impact on its hydrocarbon reserves accounting as a consequence of a change in Bolivian law, but has not made a decision on whether to lower its reserves, a spokesman for Spanish firm confirmed this week in Madrid.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:50 UTC
“A repeat of the Argentine situation” in Uruguay “virtually impossible”

Uruguayan Vice-president elect Danilo Astori said that the institutional-financial “solidness” of the country makes it virtually “impossible” a repeat of the current confrontation between the Argentine government and the Central bank.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:15 UTC
World Bank warns recovery will slow down as fiscal stimulus impact wane

The global economic recovery that is now underway will slow later this year as the impact of fiscal stimulus wanes. Financial markets remain troubled and private sector demand lags amid high unemployment, according to a new report from the World Bank.
Friday, January 22nd 2010 - 05:12 UTC
Cristina’s sharp “genius” replies have her again in deep trouble

Turbulent political times seem to be wearing down Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her lecturing style, forcing her to commit a full blown gaffe, given her long standing defence of human rights and condemnation of the abuses and disappearances committed under Argentine military regimes.