Stories for January 1st 2007
Romania and Bulgaria join the EU
Huge celebrations have been held in Romania and Bulgaria to mark their accession to the European Union, 17 years after the fall of Communism.
London: “Once again off the New Year in style”
“London has once again kicked off the New Year in style,” says Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who funded and organised the event in conjunction with Visit London.
Argentina announces 2.3-billion-dollar fuel refinery project
In an effort to offset expected shortages in diesel fuel supplies, the Argentine government has announced a project to build a refinery that will require an about 2.3-billion-dollar investment which will be mainly made by some 30 private oil companies, with the exception of Royal/Dutch Shell, which is engaged in a dispute with the administration.
Tobacco advertising banned in Buenos Aires City
Public advertising of tobacco in Buenos Aires City has been banned as from the first day of 2007, under municipal law 1799 passed in late 2005, amid a drive to curb smoking-related illnesses in Argentina that according the national government kill 40,000 people a year.
Brazil: Lula da Silva becomes President for second term
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in for a second consecutive presidential term in Brazil, with promises to accelerate economic growth and to keep the poor at the top of his government's agenda.
