Stories for May 22nd 2007
BA in group seeking to buy Spain's Iberia for 3.4bn euros
British Airways is expected to announce on Tuesday that it is joining a consortium led by Texas Pacific Group, the US private equity firm, to explore a takeover bid for Spain's Iberia airline.
Energy topped Lula's controversial visit to Paraguay
Brazilian president Lula da Silva one day visit to Paraguay to sign several bilateral agreements and officially inaugurate the expanded capacity of the huge bi-national Itaipu dam along the Parana river was signaled by strong criticism from the local press.
Spain investigating if recovered treasure was from its waters
Spain is investigating whether one of the world's biggest-ever finds of sunken treasure was plundered from its waters or from a shipwrecked Spanish galleon, the Madrid government said yesterday.
Increasing threat to sea mammals from climate change
Whales, dolphins and porpoises are facing increasing threats from climate change, according to a new report published by Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and World Wildlife Fund ahead of the 59th meeting of the International Whaling Commission.
Bush wants US citizen for World Bank; Blair out of the race
President George W. Bush said this week he wants a United States citizen to succeed Paul Wolfowitz as president of the World Bank, playing down speculation he might turn to departing British Prime Minister Tony Blair for the job.
US/China clash over “imbalances” and “politicizing trade”
United States Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson urged China to address “persistent trade and financial imbalances” as bilateral high-level discussions kicked off in Washington.
Mercosur Bank of the South on track to its creation
Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte and Mercosur ministers of Economy and Foreign Affairs decided Tuesday the creation of the Bank of the South, --an idea promoted by Venezuela—that should act as an alternative for world multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, IMF and the Inter American Development Bank.
Green light in Brazil to build a third nuclear plant
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has given the green light to build a long-delayed third nuclear plant in Brazil, reported the Sao Paulo press.
Argentina's reserves at record level; unemployment 9.8%
Argentina's international reserves reached this week a record 40 billion US dollars according to the latest release from the Central Bank underlining that the strong position “effectively helps to reduce financial vulnerability, grants certitude to investors and reduces the country risk”.
President Kirchner rescinds concessions of two major rail lines
Argentine President Nestor Kirchner rescinded a private company's concession to operate two major rail lines on Tuesday, a week after commuters rioted over delays at the main station in Buenos Aires.
