Stories for February 1st 2010

Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:50 UTC
Obama budget proposal has record deficit of almost 11% of GDP

United States President Obama's new budget proposal is set to leave the US with a record-breaking deficit of 1.56 trillion US dollars. The figure is almost 11% of the country’s GDP. Economists generally consider annual deficits of more than 3% to be unsustainable.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:44 UTC
FAO forensic techniques to improve seafood safety for consumers

An unknown percentage of the fish we eat isn't what's it's purported to be and could have fatal consequences. FAO explores how forensic techniques could help address the problem.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:41 UTC
Brazilian congress willing to approve reformed power accord with Paraguay

In the Brazilian congress there’s a positive attitude towards the consideration and approval of the terms agreed between presidents Lula da Silva and Fernando Lugo to improve price and conditions for the Paraguayan power generated in the Itaipú dam and purchased by Brazil.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:34 UTC
Shell and Brazilian company join to create giant ethanol producer and distributor

Brazil's Cosan, the world's largest ethanol and sugar processor, said announced Monday it signed an agreement to merge its ethanol and fuels distribution business in the country with Royal Dutch Shell in a deal valued as much as 12 billion US dollars.
Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:33 UTC
When Gibraltar was to be swapped for Spanish Ceuta

Just under 100 years ago and as the world was still embroiled in the horrors of WWI, Great Britain was considering a deal with Spain and France that would allow it to swap Gibraltar for Ceuta (Spanish territory in the north of Africa).
Tuesday, February 2nd 2010 - 04:20 UTC
Colombian president Uribe remains opinion polls favourite for May 30 election

Colombian president Alvaro Uribe continues to lead vote intention polls for next May presidential elections if the Constitutional Court finally authorizes a referendum on a second consecutive re-election of the popular leader.
Monday, February 1st 2010 - 14:05 UTC
With Redrado out of the way, Cobos is the next Kirchners’ target

The institutional crisis facing Argentina remains open in spite of the resignation of the Central Bank president Martin Perez Redrado and is centred on whether the Executive can put its hands on the international reserves to pay sovereign debt.
Monday, February 1st 2010 - 14:02 UTC
Catholic Church warns Cuba is on the verge of socio-economic collapse

The Roman Catholic Church warned Sunday that Cuba is on the verge of an economic collapse that can only be prevented if President Raul Castro institutes sweeping economic and social reforms.
Monday, February 1st 2010 - 13:57 UTC
Former president Kirchner involved in alleged money speculation operation

Argentina’s former president Nestor Kirchner purchased two million US dollars just a few days after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 which triggered the current world downturn and when the government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (his wife) was under extreme pressure to devalue the currency.
Monday, February 1st 2010 - 08:46 UTC
Brazilian group planning two huge feedlots to ensure cattle supply

Argentina’s meat processing group, Quickfood belonging to the giant Brazilian corporation Marfrig has purchased 150 hectares in the province of Cordoba to establish one of the largest feedlots in the country.