Stories for September 2nd 2010

Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 07:21 UTC
Brazilian central bank keeps benchmark interest rate on hold at 10.75%

Brazil's central bank held on Wednesday its benchmark interest rate at 10.75%, ending a monetary tightening cycle that helped cool the economy as the country prepares for October 3 presidential election.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 07:19 UTC
Korea and Peru conclude free trade agreement effective next year

Korea and Peru concluded in Lima negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), which is expected to go into effect midway through next year once it is approved by the parliaments of the two countries.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 07:10 UTC
Brazil announces major iron deposit discovery in Matto Grosso

Brazil's Mato Grosso state government announced Wednesday it had registered a major mineral deposit discovery with an estimated 11.5 billion tons of iron ore of a 41% Fe grade plus another 428 million tons of phosphates.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 07:06 UTC
Australia confirms it’s a world wine power and agrees labelling with the EU

A new labelling deal with Australia may make Europe's winemakers feel more than a little light-headed as imitations will no longer be sold with names like champagne and sherry.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 06:57 UTC
Average tourist visiting Chile is 50 years old and from the Americas

More than 3.6 million foreigners from all over the world visit Chile spending nearly two billion US dollars every year. To better understand the growing tourism industry in Chile, the country’s national tourism service, Sernatur, has just released a study called “Type of Potential Tourists and Demands in Chile” which categorizes and analyzes tourists’ behaviour while visiting the country.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 06:55 UTC
Minutes confirm Fed ready to purchase more government bonds to prop economy

United States Federal Reserve will buy up more debt if the outlook worsens “appreciably”, minutes from its August meeting have revealed. The central bank preferred to purchase US government bonds, but did not rule out buying further mortgage debts.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 06:50 UTC
Caterpillar expands manufacturing operations in Brazil to cater Mercosur

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced Wednesday the expansion of its manufacturing operations in Brazil capitalizing on the expected growth of demand in the Mercosur regional block and Latin America.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 06:44 UTC
NASA experts: “hopelessness”, the worst enemy of trapped miners

A group of NASA specialists arrived Tuesday in Santiago to help the Chilean rescue team and Health and Mining ministers to assure a successful rescue mission for the 33 miners who have been trapped 700 meters underground since August 5.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 06:39 UTC
First time ever Argentine purchase of Russian military hardware

Russia has signed a “historic” contract to deliver Mi-17 helicopter to Argentina, a member of a Russian delegation said on Wednesday according to a report from Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Thursday, September 2nd 2010 - 06:31 UTC
Tiny marine animals reveal a possible ancient sea passage in Antarctica

Scientists have found evidence for an ancient sea passage linking currently isolated areas of Antarctica. The evidence comes from a study of tiny marine animals living either side of the 2km thick Western Antarctic ice sheet.