Stories for March 16th 2011

Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 23:28 UTC
UK unemployment hits 17-year high: 2.5 million Brits out of a job

The number of unemployed in the UK has hit a 17-year high of more than 2.5 million and pushed the unemployment rate to 8%, official data showed Wednesday.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 23:25 UTC
Wikileads cables reveal Japan was warned about poor safety at nuclear plants

As concerns about a meltdown at the Fukushima plant escalate, Britain’s the Telegraph revealed a series of two-year-old cables the paper obtained from Wikileaks that show unnamed experts telling Japanese officials they needed to update their nuclear safety protocols.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 23:19 UTC
Mexico defeats Falklands in Americas Division 3 T20 cricket championship

Mexico began their quest for Americas Division 3 T20 Cricket Championship with an impressive 10-wicket victory over the winless Falkland Islands in the morning session of Day 2.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 15:05 UTC
WHO: radiation risk in Japan limited to area next to damaged nuclear plant

The risk of the contamination of food products from nuclear radiation in Japan is limited to the specific area surrounding the damaged nuclear plant, according to a source from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 15:00 UTC
US Travel Association urges Brazil and Chile be included in the Visa Waive Program

Citing an opportunity to advance national security, economic competitiveness and public diplomacy, the U.S. Travel Association has urged President Obama to discuss prospects for including Brazil and Chile in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) when he visits South America this month.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 14:55 UTC
Economists downgrade Brazilian 2011 growth to 4.1%; government insists 5%

The Brazilian government said GDP is expected to grow by more than 5% a year through 2014. The Finance Ministry says in a release argued that increased long term investments by the private sector will be fundamental in achieving the projected growth.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 14:45 UTC
US extends import duties on shrimp to protect local industry hurt by BP’s oil spill

United States announced this week it will continue import duties on shrimp from Thailand, China, Vietnam, India and Brazil for five more years in a victory for the US shrimp industry hurt by last year's BP oil spill.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 14:38 UTC
MEP warns on dangers to Scotland of ‘cheap meat’ imports from Mercosur

European Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos has been warned of the dangers facing Scotland if the EU opens its markets to large quantities of ‘cheap meat’ imports from Mercosur, reports the Farmers’ Guardían.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 14:10 UTC
Difficult Times for Chile’s Easter Island

by COHA Research Associates Joss Douglas and Samantha Nadler
Famous for its monolithic Moai head stones that were mysteriously erected at the dawn of history, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Easter Island is today making headlines of a different sort.
Wednesday, March 16th 2011 - 06:07 UTC
Japan seems unable to control stricken nuclear plant; fears of radiation

Workers were ordered to withdraw from a stricken Japanese nuclear power plant on Wednesday after radiation levels rose, Kyodo news reported, a development that suggested the crisis was spiralling out of control.