Stories for January 2010

Friday, January 15th 2010 - 09:40 UTC
Haiti sits on two seismic fault lines and a major disaster was expected

Seismologists have known for years that a devastating earthquake was likely to hit Haiti. They just did not know when. Although Tuesday’s devastation was wreaked by the most severe quake to hit Port-au-Prince since 1751, the island has been the victim of major seismic activity several times since.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 09:38 UTC
Brazilian project to cut poverty to “developed countries’ level” in six years

Brazil could achieve social indicators similar to those of developed countries by 2016 if the country is able to maintain the same rate of extreme poverty reduction and income redistribution as recorded during the 2003/2008 period, according to an official report from the Presidential Strategic Affairs Secretariat.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 09:33 UTC
China acts to prevent real estate bubble from developing

Chinese property prices rose at their fastest annual rate in 18 months in December according to official figures referred to the country’s 70 large and medium-sized cities. Real estate prices rose by 7.8% from a year ago - up from the 5.7% annual rise seen in November and renewing fears that an asset bubble is developing.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 09:24 UTC
UN report exposes vulnerability of indigenous peoples

The world’s 370 million indigenous peoples suffer from disproportionately, often exponentially, higher rates of poverty, health problems, crime and human rights abuses, the first ever United Nations study on the issue reported today, stressing that self-determination and land rights are vital for their survival.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 06:37 UTC
Judge Griesa lifts freeze on Argentine funds to help with planned “debt swap”

A New York State Judge lifted a freeze on Argentine Central Bank accounts held in the US Federal Reserve, Argentina's Finance secretary told reporters on Thursday. The freeze has been imposed on request from investors holding defaulted Argentine sovereign bonds.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 06:34 UTC
2009 was the hottest year on record south of the Equator, says Science

The United States and Europe may be experiencing one of the coldest winters in decades, but things continue to heat up in the Southern Hemisphere. Science magazine has obtained exclusive data from NASA that indicates that 2009 was the hottest year on record south of the Equator. The find adds to multiple lines of evidence showing that the 2000s were the warmest decade in the modern instrumental record.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 06:21 UTC
World’s largest tanker, built in China, ready to start maiden voyage

Claimed to be the most sophisticated large tanker ever designed and built by a Chinese shipyard, the ‘Xin Pu Yang' is to start its maiden voyage from Guangzhou to the Middle East later this month, Chinese media reports said.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 06:19 UTC
South Korea confirms second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease

South Korean authorities confirmed Thursday the second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on a cattle farm close to where the first outbreak in eight years erupted a week ago.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 06:16 UTC
Jobs of the future: space pilot, human body part maker or climate change averter

Tomorrow's job hunters could be applying for the position of space pilot, human body part maker or climate change averter, according to a British government commissioned report.
Friday, January 15th 2010 - 06:11 UTC
Chavez cancels energy rationing in Caracas; sacks electricity minister

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez cancelled energy rationing in Caracas after a chaotic first day of staggered blackouts angered his supporters, but the measures will continue across the country.