Stories for February 2013

Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 05:08 UTC
WHO confirms death from coronavirus; 13 cases of human infection and 7 deaths

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health has informed the World Health Organization of another confirmed case of infection with the novel coronavirus (NCoV). The patient was hospitalized on 29 January 2013 and died on 10 February 2013. The case was laboratory-confirmed on 18 February 2013. Further investigation into this case is ongoing.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 04:59 UTC
March and blackout to remember victims of Buenos Aires worst train station accident

Relatives of the victims of Buenos Aires busiest railway station tragedy confirmed a demonstration at Plaza de Mayo for Friday to mark the first anniversary of the accident, February 22, 2012, and in which 51 people perished and over 700 were injured.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 04:16 UTC
Colombia signs free trade agreement with South Korea eliminating 96% of tariffs

Colombia on Thursday signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea in Seoul. The FTA includes a wide range of elements to boost bilateral trade and investment, according to the trade ministry.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 01:58 UTC
Comic Beppe Grillo the outsider that has Italy’s political system “terrified”

Comic Beppe Grillo, a political newcomer is sending shockwaves to the Italian political system ahead of national elections. Touring the country in a camper van and attracting tens of thousands to his rallies, Grillo has channeled the rage and frustration that Italians feel at the rampant waste and corruption of their political leaders.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 01:53 UTC
Berlusconi rattles election campaign claiming Monti and Bersani have “Merkel’s blessing”

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti rowed back from comments suggesting that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had expressed opposition to his political rivals on the centre-left days before an election next week.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 01:51 UTC
Brazilian economy expanded 1.35% in 2012 and 4% is projected for this year

Brazil's economy grew 1.35% in 2012, above the market forecast of 1 percent, according to the Central Bank estimate. The official and final figure will be released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) on March 1.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 01:22 UTC
Brazil/Russia agree to increase trade and cooperation in agriculture and defense

Brazil and Russia signed several agreements in different fields geared to increase trade and to advance in defense, energy and agriculture cooperation, including the purchase of Russian anti aircraft missile batteries on condition that Moscow agrees to transfer technology.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 01:17 UTC
Foreign companies don’t have to fear nationalization, if they invest, says Morales

President Evo Morales said on Thursday that Repsol and the other multinational companies operating in Bolivia should not fear nationalization since his government only appeals to that extreme when corporations think in ‘looting’ instead of investing.
Friday, February 22nd 2013 - 01:11 UTC
Cuban dissident wants an end to US economic embargo and close down Guantanamo

Famed Cuban dissident Yoani Sanchez defended before the Brazilian Congress the end of the US economic embargo and called for the closing down of the US Guantanamo military base.
Thursday, February 21st 2013 - 05:46 UTC
Royal penguin being cared in New Zealand after stranding 2.000km from Antarctica

A royal penguin is being cared for at a New Zealand zoo after being found stranded on a beach 2,000km from its Antarctic home. The young male bird, which was dehydrated and starving, is thought to be only the fourth royal penguin to wash up there in more than a century.