Stories for April 2009

Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 11:28 UTC
Argentina’s energy sector under “persistent productive decadence”

Since 2005 Argentina has consumed 25% of its natural gas reserves, 15% of oil reserves and the Mar Argentino (South Atlantic) which has “great possibilities remains virtually untouched”, reads a critical report on the outlook for the Argentine energy sector compiled by eight former Energy Secretaries from different governments.
Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 07:47 UTC
Uruguay’s ruling coalition close to a presidential ticket: Mujica-Astori

With only two months for the primaries, Uruguay’s ruling coalition seems to have reached an understanding as to how the presidential ticket for October’s general elections will be nominated. Whoever wins next June 28 will lead the ticket and the runner up accepts the Vice president post to seal a united front.
Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 07:10 UTC
Second pulp mill project in Uruguay could be taken over by Portugal

Spain’s pulp and paper manufacturer Ence is ready to accept 400 million US dollars from its Portuguese competitor Portucel to keep the pulp mill project in Uruguay alive. Portucel would take a considerable share of the mill, forested land and would join Ence in a strategic alliance according to reports in the Spanish financial newspaper Expansion.
Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 04:41 UTC
Kirchner admits government could loose June mid term election

Former Argentine president Nestor Kirchner and head of the country’s largest Justicialista party called on voters to support the ruling coalition in the coming mid term elections of next June 28 to avoid a collapse back into the 2001/02 scenario
Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 04:10 UTC
Swine flu could hit 40% of UK population says British WHO expert

The deadly swine flu virus could infect up to 40% of the United Kingdom population in the next six months if the outbreak becomes a pandemic, world health officials said. Professor Neil Ferguson, a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) taskforce which decided to raise its alert over the virus to level four, said four in 10 people could be infected if the country is hit by a pandemic.
Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 04:08 UTC
Religious cross-border procession unites Gibraltar and Spain’s La Linea

Hundreds of faithful from Gibraltar and neighbouring Spanish location La Linea expressed their devotion to Our Lady of Europe on Monday in the first time ever cross-border procession, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Wednesday, April 29th 2009 - 04:06 UTC
Output of world’s main iron ore producer plunges 37%

Brazilian mining giant Vale do Rio Doce, the world’s largest iron ore producer and exporter, revealed Tuesday its output plunged 37% in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period a year ago, amid a sharp decline in demand.
Tuesday, April 28th 2009 - 14:10 UTC
Chavez recalls ambassador to Peru and escalates diplomatic dispute

Venezuela recalled its ambassador to protest Peru's decision to grant political asylum to a prominent opponent of President Hugo Chavez, calling it a mockery of international law and escalating a diplomatic dispute.
Tuesday, April 28th 2009 - 11:49 UTC
Swine flu two steps short from a full pandemic, warns WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level over swine flu from three to four, two steps short of declaring a full pandemic. WHO Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said it signalled a “significant step towards pandemic influenza”, but added “we are not there yet”.
Tuesday, April 28th 2009 - 11:47 UTC
Global crisis brings China and Taiwan closer

The global crisis has its positive effects: Taiwan and China signed a set of new agreements on financial services and new direct flights on Sunday to facilitate business between the two sides, and allowing direct investment from China in recession-hit Taiwan.