Stories for February 1st 2011

Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 23:57 UTC
German study shows human brains learn and store memories better during sleep

The mechanics of sleep and the process by which we store and retrieve memories has from ancient times been approached through many myths and theories, but it is only recently that hard science is seriously uncovering the mysteries of the mind.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 23:54 UTC
US shadow population levelling off could signal recession is coming to an end

The number of illegal immigrants in the United States levelled off at around 11 million in 2010, ending a two-year slide since the start of the recession, according to a study released on Tuesday.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 17:53 UTC
Falklands’ Desire with sufficient funds for oil drilling round and 3D surveying

Falkland Islands Desire Petroleum announced Tuesday it has sufficient funds to complete the programmed round of six well drillings, additional 3D seismic surveying and demobilization costs at the end of the campaign.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 14:46 UTC
Chilean government aggressive campaign to re-launch tourism in Magallanes region

The Chilean government is involved in an aggressive campaign to bolster tourism in the Magallanes region and absorb the impact of the recent protests in the extreme south of the country that paralyzed all activities in the area for several days.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 14:10 UTC
Chilean president flies to Antarctica but “will avoid” contact with Punta Arenas

Chilean president Sebastián Piñera is expected next Friday in Punta Arenas airport en route to Antarctica with his Ecuadorean counterpart Rafael Correa, but will avoid all contact with locals, reports La Prensa Austral.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 13:37 UTC
World’s richest man says it is the right moment to invest in Latin America

Mexican telecommunications tycoon Carlos Slim announced plans to invest 8.3 billion US dollars this year in 19 countries where his companies have interests and underlined that given the international scenario, it is the right moment to invest in Latin America: “whoever doesn’t will be left behind”.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 13:31 UTC
Paraguay scheduled to open a trade office in Hong Kong

Paraguay the only Mercosur member with no formal diplomatic relations with China-Beijing, --since it only recognizes Taiwan--, is scheduled to open a trade office in Hong Kong (Peoples Republic of China) some time in the next few weeks.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 12:54 UTC
Northeast Brazil to become “tuna hub” with support from Japan

Japan will help Brazil develop a “tuna hub” at the north of the country with the purpose of doubling tuna catches. State of the art Japanese equipment together with Brazilian personnel specially trained to operate the new logistics are at the heart of the ambitious project which plans to turn the north-eastern impoverished state of Rio Grande do Norte into a tuna hub covering an extensive zone of the Atlantic.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 12:47 UTC
Polar Star cruise assessing damage after grounding accident off Antarctic Peninsula

Cruise vessel MV Polar Star with 115 people on board was temporarily grounded Monday morning off the Antarctica peninsula but managed to free itself with no injuries reported and no fuel leaks according to the Argentine Navy.
Tuesday, February 1st 2011 - 02:21 UTC
Egyptian army recognizes “legitimacy of the people’s demands”

Egypt’s military promised Monday night not to fire on any peaceful protests and said it recognised “the legitimacy of the people’s demands” ahead of a demonstration in which organisers aim to bring a million Egyptians to the streets to press for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.