Stories for September 2011

Friday, September 9th 2011 - 09:33 UTC
US trade deficit drops significantly in July as exports climb and oil prices fall

The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services dropped 13.1% in July to 44.8 billion dollars, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 09:30 UTC
Peruvian families to take compensation claim for Machu Picchu to Unesco

Two Peruvian families who say the government never paid them compensation for the expropriation of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and surrounding lands plan to take their complaint to the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 09:28 UTC
Venezuela television interviews Fidel Castro, tells Miami “he’s alive and ticking”

Fidel Castro has broken a long silence by granting an interview to a Venezuelan television station, his first since rumors began to spread that the former Cuban leader might be sick or near death. A top Cuban official said Thursday that Fidel is in good health.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 09:23 UTC
Uruguay launches second round of hydrocarbons offshore exploration

Uruguay detailed plans to auction 15 offshore exploration blocks on Thursday, part of the energy-short country's efforts to reduce its dependence on imports of oil and natural gas.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 09:18 UTC
Falkland Oil & Gas confirms drilling rig for two slots in the first half of 2012

Falkland Oil and Gas (FOGL), the exploration company focused on its extensive licence areas to the South and East of the Falkland Islands, reiterated it has signed a contract for the Leiv Eiriksson drilling rig for two firm slots in the first half of 2012.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 03:35 UTC
Uruguayan marines in Haiti involved in ‘misconduct’; no evidence of sexual abuse

Three independent investigations in Haiti following the claim of an alleged sexual abuse against a local by five Uruguayan marines from the UN peacekeeping force coincide in that there was “misconduct” of the involved, but no crime was committed.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 02:53 UTC
OECD urges from G7 and G20 strong signals of leadership and confidence

The outlook for economic growth in developed countries has got much worse in the last three months, the OECD said Thursday, urging leaders of G7 and G20 countries to send strong signals to restore flagging confidence.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 02:24 UTC
Haiti UN peacekeeping force led by Brazil will begin gradual pullout

Brazil's Defense minister said on Thursday that Haiti's peacekeeping force of 12,000 soldiers and police, known as MINUSTAH, will begin a gradual withdrawal aimed at turning security over to the Haitians, but not imperiling the stability achieved.
Friday, September 9th 2011 - 01:03 UTC
Trichet anticipates EU flat growth next 18 months; falls short of ‘new recession’

The Euro fell to a two-month low against the dollar on Thursday after the European Central Bank signalled a pause in its interest-rate tightening cycle that began just five months ago.
Thursday, September 8th 2011 - 22:24 UTC
World food prices hold steady at near record; cereals climb further, says FAO

World food prices remained virtually unchanged between July and August 2011 according to the FAO Food Price Index published Thursday. The Index averaged 231 points last month compared to 232 points in July. It was 26% higher than in August 2010 but seven points below its all-time high of 238 points in February 2011.