Stories for February 3rd 2010

Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 13:52 UTC
Kirchner loyalist appointed new Central bank president

Mercedes Marcó Del Pont a long time ally of the Kirchners and until now head of the state-owned development bank, is known to support limited autonomy for the institution she's taking over. Her appointment closes a standoff over whether the government can overrule the central bank and tap international reserves.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:35 UTC
Kirchner admits 2 million USD operation for the purchase of a hotel

Former president Néstor Kirchner admitted that his 2 million US dollars purchase, taken place in October 2008, before the outbreak of the global financial crisis, was made to acquire a percentage of stock for a hotel located in El Calafate, Patagonia.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:28 UTC
The top banking brands according to The Banker magazine

HSBC has retained its place as the most valuable banking brand in the world. This is the third year in a row The Banker magazine and Brand Finance have awarded the self-styled “World's Local Bank” the title. The giant has increased its brand value by 12% to 28.5 billion US dollars.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:25 UTC
Renowned scientists winners of the prestigious Wolf Prizes

Seven renowned scientists are the winners of the prestigious Wolf Prizes. The 100,000 US dollar prizes, which will be presented in May by Israeli President Shimon Peres during a special Knesset session, were announced Monday in Jerusalem by Israeli Minister of Education and Wolf Foundation Council Chair Gideon Sa'ar.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:23 UTC
Chavez former closest loyalists call for his resignation

A group of one-time loyalists and close advisors of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez called on him to resign saying that after eleven years in power he had lost “the legitimacy and capacity to govern”.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:20 UTC
Green light in Brazil for controversial dam in Amazon jungle

A controversial project to build a massive hydroelectric dam in the heart of the Amazon jungle has received the go-ahead from Brazil’s environmental protection agency, despite objections from environmentalists and indigenous people who live in the area.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:10 UTC
Australian Central bank takes a pause: leaves rates unchanged at 3.75%

Australia's central bank Tuesday left interest rates on hold at 3.75%, surprising analysts by ending a sequence of three consecutive rises, but hinted at further hikes to come.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:06 UTC
Brazil props fisheries patrolling and management with 27 vessels

Brazil’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministry is planning to invest the equivalent of 17 million US dollars in optimising fisheries patrolling during 2010.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 12:02 UTC
Washington praises political steps taken by new Honduran administration

The new Honduras government is “one step” toward the country’s return to the Organization of American States and recovery of international credit lost during the seven month coup, said the US top diplomat to Latin America.
Wednesday, February 3rd 2010 - 11:55 UTC
Montevideo seems prepared to vote for a Communist Mayor next May

Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital will most probably have as of next July a Communist Mayor with the support from the political machinery that has dominated undisputedly the city’s politics for the last two decades.