Stories for February 22nd 2011

Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 14:44 UTC
NZ quake kills 65; 100 people trapped in the rubble; major glacier cracks

More than 100 people are believed to be trapped in rubble after a deadly 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch on Tuesday, killing at least 65 people.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 07:00 UTC
Malvinas basin oil exploration scheduled to begin first half of 2011

Repsol-YPF plans to start deepwater exploration off the coast of Tierra del Fuego in the Malvinas basin are expected to begin before the end of the first half of 2011, according to company’s sources.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 06:58 UTC
Pan American Energy, --partly Chinese owned--, keeps expanding in Argentina

Argentina's Pan American Energy will sign a deal later this month to buy Exxon Mobil local downstream unit Esso, turning the company into a fully integrated oil and gas producer. Pan American Energy is a unit of Bridas Corp., which is jointly owned by Argentina's Bulgheroni family through Bridas Energy Holdings and China's Cnooc Ltd.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 06:42 UTC
Argentina has ignored Mercosur rules and is now harvesting the benefits

Even when Uruguay and Brazil are in the course of reaching understandings with Argentina regarding the latest trade restrictions to be implemented by President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner administration, ‘which are not targeted against Mercosur members’, the Brazilian press presents another angle.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 06:23 UTC
Gaddafi denies he fled to Venezuela while cracks begin to appear in the regime

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi appeared Monday on state television signalling his defiance in the face of a mounting revolt against his 41-year rule.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 06:19 UTC
“Multiple fatalities” as quake strikes New Zealand’s second city at busy mid-day

Rescuers dug frantically for bodies and people trapped after a major 6.3 earthquake caused “multiple” deaths in New Zealand's second city of Christchurch Tuesday, crushing buildings and vehicles.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 06:11 UTC
Ireland main parties’ leaders pledge to condition any trade deal with Mercosur

Leaders of Ireland’s three main parties pledged on Monday to oppose any trade deal with Mercosur countries which could damage Irish exports if EU standards of production are not adhered to, reports the Irish Times.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 04:18 UTC
Uruguay/Argentina working on ‘fast track’ to address trade differences

Uruguay and Argentina are discussing a ‘fast track’ mechanism that will allow Uruguayan exports to have quick access to the neighbour’s market thus avoiding the controversial trade restrictions recently announced by the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and which have surprised Mercosur partners.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 03:52 UTC
FT warns Brazil could be approaching a “US like sub-prime” situation

The Financial Times warns that in spite of the current optimism about the performance of the Brazilian economy, the country could be heading to a ‘sub-prime’ crisis ‘worryingly’ similar to that experienced by the United States.
Tuesday, February 22nd 2011 - 00:58 UTC
Toledo set to repeat in Peru, but ex mayor Castañeda can still give surprise

Former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo continues to lead public opinion polls for the April 10 presidential election followed in a tight race by Congress member Keiko Fujimori and the ex mayor of Lima, Luis Castañeda.