Stories for February 3rd 2009
Falklands denies any arrangements for SAR pilot Prince William
Falkland Islands deputy governor Paul Martinez described British press reports on Prince William doing part of his 18 month RAF Search and Rescue (SAR) course in the South Atlantic Islands (claimed by Argentina) as speculation and not correct.
Argentine governors call for lower taxes on farm exports
Cordoba and Santa Fe, two big farming provinces in Argentina, are calling on the federal government to suspend crop export taxes for three to six months to help farmers in the face of the worst drought in decades.
National holiday to celebrate Venezuela's Chavez ten-year rule
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has declared a national holiday to mark his 10 years in power. The capital, Caracas, was quieter than usual, as workers and children stayed away from offices and schools.
Brazil paid “too much” for Rio Tinto iron ore assets
Brazil's Vale do Rio Doce may have paid too much for its purchase of iron-ore and potash assets from Rio Tinto Group, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Banco Santander SA.
Regional Spanish airline plans flights to Gibraltar
An airline based in the Spanish region of Andalusia, Andalus Lineas Aereas, is planning to restore daily air links between Gibraltar and Madrid as part of an ambitious strategic plan to link regional air routes across Spain and Morocco.
French minister warns of more social unrest in Europe
With the rising threat of further job cuts and economic contraction Europe faces the risk of more social unrest unless measures are taken to quickly tackle the global economic crisis, France's finance minister says. Christine Lagarde said trust in the financial system needs to be restored.
Warning on the “other CO2 problem”: ocean acidification
The world's marine ecosystems risk being severely damaged by ocean acidification unless there are dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions, warn scientists. More than 150 top marine researchers have voiced their concerns through the “Monaco Declaration”, which warns that changes in acidity are accelerating.
UK unions seek disclosure from “nationalized” banks
Banks which have received UK Government help to deal with the financial crisis should be made to reveal full details of their tax haven activities, urged union leaders in Britain, reports The Gibraltar Chronicle.
Coal and oil will make Magallanes “Chile's energy centre”
Magallanes region in the extreme south of Chile is becoming the “energy centre of the country” based primarily on the development of coal resources and the exploration for hydrocarbons said Chile's National Energy Commission president Marcelo Tokman.
Prince William and Falklands: no decision taken says MoD
Confirming what was advanced by Mercopress, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday “no decision has been taken to post Prince Williams to the Falklands”, following news in the British press which caused a strong reaction from Argentina that has sovereignty claims over the South Atlantic islands.
