Mercosur

Monday, January 12th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Record Latam inflation in Venezuela last year: 30.9%

The inflation rate reached 30.9% in 2008, an 11-year high, according to the latest release from the Venezuelan Central bank. The bank also said prices rose 31.9% in the capital, Caracas, the highest level since 1997, outstripping the 2007 figure, 22.5%.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador quietly downplays financial dispute with Brazil

Ecuador quietly made overdue payments to Brazil on a loan for the construction of a controversial hydroelectric project, helping to end a months-long diplomatic dispute, revealed Brazil's Foreign Affairs ministry.
Sunday, January 11th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Lloyds TSB pays 350 million USD for violating US sanctions

Britain's Lloyds TSB bank has agreed to pay a 350 million US dollars penalty to US authorities over financial transfers that violated US sanctions. The US Justice Department said Lloyds TSB had acknowledged “criminal conduct” and agreed to forfeit the funds in return for an end to its investigation.
Saturday, January 10th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Explorer” rescue operation honors for Chilean Navy

The Chilean Navy was presented with the International Maritime Organization, IMO, “Bravery at Sea” award for the prompt and effective rescue operation displayed during the emergency involving cruise vessel “Explorer”, which sank in Antarctica on November 22nd of 2007.
Friday, January 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Qatari leading Dakar Rally in Argentina disqualified

Dakar Rally leader Nasser Al Attiyah has been kicked out of the gruelling event for missing too many mandatory way points. The BMW driver from Qatar, who won the first and third stages of the 2009 rally in Argentina, led the overall standings by more than seven minutes.
Friday, January 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update

Headlines: MBE for dedicated music teacher; Kayakers set out to circumnavigate the Islands
Friday, January 9th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
US unemployment 7.2%; 08 job losses highest since 1945

More US workers lost jobs last year than in any year since World War II, with employers axing 2.6 million posts and 524,000 in December alone. The US jobless rate rose to 7.2% in December, the highest in 16 years according to the US Labor Department release.
Wednesday, January 7th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
“Ponzi” Madoff inquiry targets SEC and regulators

The US Congress has launched an inquiry into a suspected 50 billion US dollars fraud allegedly run by the US hedge fund manager, Bernard Madoff. The House Financial Services Committee is to question regulators and investors to try to determine why the authorities failed to uncover the scandal.
Wednesday, January 7th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Chile's presidential election has two main candidates

A public opinion poll gauging the support of what are considered Chile's five main political leaders –and presidential hopefuls--, shows the head of the conservative opposition leading comfortably, but his runner up is closing in.
Wednesday, January 7th 2009 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay, Peru, Brazil best performing economies

Brazil's economy, Latin America's largest, will likely end 2008 with an expansion of 5.9%, according to new estimates from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).