Stories for February 2010

Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 04:56 UTC
“Political intolerance” and “citizen insecurity” rampant in Venezuela says OAS

Venezuela routinely violates the rights of its citizens, using the “punitive power of the state” to intimidate and punish people for their political opinions, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) said Wednesday.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 04:52 UTC
Bernanke reaffirmed low interest rates for an extended period

United States stocks rose on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve chairman reaffirmed his commitment to keep interest rates low for an extended period to sustain the still fragile recovery. Ben Bernanke told Congress a weak job market and tame inflation warranted keeping rates close to their near-zero level for the time being.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 04:48 UTC
Official Argentine economy data shows recovery in underway

Argentina's trade surplus widened 25% in January from the same month a year ago as both exports and imports rose, signalling an economic recovery is underway.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 01:27 UTC
On its fiftieth anniversary Brasilia exposed to a major political dispute

The acting governor of Brazil's federal district resigned this week in connection with a corruption scandal that has tarnished one of the main opposition parties and could affect the campaign of front-runner Jose Serra in this October's presidential race.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 01:25 UTC
EU ready to reach trade agreements with Latinamerica by next May

Spanish president Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and European Commission president Jose Manuel Durao Barroso said they were confident of a successful conclusion of trade and cooperation agreements the EU is currently in the process of negotiations with Latinamerica.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 01:21 UTC
World trade drops 12% in 2009; re-launching Doha round “imperative”

World Trade Organisation director-general Pascal Lamy said on Wednesday that international trade fell by 12% in 2009, a marked deterioration on previous estimates which put the drop closer to 10%.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 01:16 UTC
Good prospects in 2010 for Latam commodities and energy exporters

A report released this week in Mexico by the inter American Development Bank, (IDB) forecasts a good year for Latinamerican countries exports of commodities and energy but a slower recovery for Central America and the Caribbean more dependent on tourism and remittances.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 01:11 UTC
Genetically altered mosquitoes to help curb spread of dengue fever

Scientists are breeding a genetically altered strain of mosquito in an effort to curb the spread of dengue fever. The dengue virus is spread by the bite of infected female mosquitoes and there is no vaccine or treatment.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 01:06 UTC
Sperm whales herd hunt “squid balls” at depths over 1.000 meters

Sperm whales may team up and hunt collaboratively, scientists have suggested. A US research team used hi-tech tags to glimpse some of the giant marine mammals' remarkable hunting behaviour.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 - 00:54 UTC
Round up of Cuban dissidents following the death of political prisoner

Cuban security agents detained dissidents across the country to prevent protests at the funeral of a leading dissident who died on a prison hunger strike and which has sparked international indignation. Cuban president Raul Castro said he regrets the death of Orlando Zapata and denies the rights activist had been tortured.