Stories for February 22nd 2007
Menchu to run for president in Guatemala
Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu on Wednesday announced that she will run for the presidency of Guatemala in the country's September elections, a move likely fuel talk about an Indian resurgence in Latin American politics.
The world's largest colossus squid fished in Antarctica
An adult specimen of the world's largest known squid was hauled to the surface by a New Zealand longliner fishing for toothfish in Antarctic waters. The creature, known as a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) and with eyes the size of a car tire weighed an estimated 450 kilograms.
LAN becomes majority holder of Argentine affiliate
Chile's flag carrier LAN airlines increased the share of its Argentine affiliate to 70%, following 2006 reforms to the Argentine Aeronautical code authorizing foreigners to have a majority stake in commercial airlines, reports the Buenos Aires press.
The Iron Lady has her bronze statue in Parliament
Despite protests that previous prime ministers had to be dead to have a statue in Britain's Houses of Parliament Margaret Thatcher (1979/1990) unveiled her bronze statue at a ceremony Wednesday.
Disney Cruse Line has plans for two 122.000 tons vessels
Media conglomerate Walt Disney Co. said Thursday that it plans to expand its cruise business with the addition of two new ocean liners to meet demand for its family cruise vacations.
Venezuela offers financial support to Ecuador
Venezuela has set aside 500 million US dollars for cooperation with Ecuador although how the financing would be extended has still not been decided, said Thursday Venezuelan Finance minister Rodrigo Cabezas.
Brazil admits possible “causalities” in Mercosur membership
“Differences within Mercosur are an inevitable result of deepening relations among its five members”, said Brazil's Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim interviewed by the Financial Times but admits there might be “casualties” among junior members dissatisfied with the functioning of the trade block launched in 1991.
