Stories for February 2nd 2009
Prince William as SAR pilot could spend time in Falklands
Prince William, second in line to the British throne, could spend up to three months in the Falkland Islands as part of his 18-month RAF Search and Rescue (SAR) course which theoretically ends later this year.
Slight increase in Chile's unemployment; Magallanes 2.8%
Unemployment in the extreme south of Chile, Magallanes Region increased half a percentage point during the last quarter of last year, compared to the previous quarter, but still is one of the lowest of the country according to the latest release from the Statistics Institute, INE.
“Sterile flies” to combat cattle screw worm in Uruguay
Mexico made a first shipment of sterile parasitic flies to Uruguay to help combat the cattle “screw worm” or Cochliomyia hominivorax, an insect whose larvae or maggots eat living tissue, and which has gradually spread from Brazil to the southern pastures of South America.
Obama rings Chilean president and invites her to visit US
Chilean president Michelle Bachelet has been invited to visit the United States in the coming months by her counterpart Barack Obama. The two leaders had a long telephone conference and analyzed bilateral relations and exchanged ideas about the regional and world situation, according to the Chilean Executive.
Colombian guerrillas release 4 hostages; Tuesday next stage
A Colombian soldier and three police officers were released from captivity by Marxist guerrillas Sunday night, completing the first stage of a three-step release of hostages
Punta Arenas Methanex postpones coal turbine option
The Methanex group which operates in Magallanes region, next to Punta Arenas has decided to postpone the investment in a coal turbine, which would have helped re-route more natural gas to the actual methanol processing, according to the local press.
Nicaraguan president Ortega abides by IMF requirements
Nicaragua's president Daniel Ortega has taken the oath to the new four members of the Central Bank board, one of the conditions demanded by the IMF to sign a three year support and monitor financial program.
Ushuaia consolidates as south hemisphere cruise hub
With 396 cruise vessel calls this season Ushuaia in the extreme south of Argentina's Tierra del Fuego confirms its hub condition for the industry in the southern hemisphere, according to local authorities.
Obama Needs an Economic Initiative for the Americas
The Bush administration ended with economic collapse on nearly every measure. The greatest fear now is that the combined effect of the $700 billion financial sector bail-out, a near-zero federal funds rate and President Obama's $820 billion economic stimulus package still might not turn the economy around by 2010. But tough times may also open the door for greater cooperation with new and longstanding economic partners, especially those in our hemisphere.
HMS Endurance will return to Falkland Islands
FALKLAND Islanders are relieved to hear that the Royal Navy's ice patrol ship in the Falklands will not be decommissioned following her return to the United Kingdom after a flooding incident in her engine room in December.
