Stories for May 5th 2009
Iran’s statements on Israel divide Uruguayan ruling coalition
Uruguay’ Foreign Affairs official rejection of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad latest statements regarding Israel and the Holocaust have caused “disappointment” in certain groups of the ruling coalition since they believe the government “caved in to lobbying from the local Israelite Committee”, reports the Montevideo press.
US Free trade agreement, top priority of Panama’s president-elect
Panama's president-elect Ricardo Martinelli has said finalising a free trade deal with the United States is a priority. Martinelli, a supermarket tycoon, beat the governing centre-left party's candidate by more than 20 points in Sunday's presidential election.
Canada prepared to challenge EU ban on seal products in WTO
Canada pledged on Tuesday it would launch a World Trade Organization challenge of the European Union's planned ban on seal products, unless the EU agrees to exempt humane and sustainable sealing.
Royal support for Gurkha’s rights to settle in Britain
A senior member of the British Royal Family has privately expressed support for Joanna Lumley's campaign for Gurkha settlement rights, the actress revealed. Ms Lumley told a committee of MPs she had received a letter of support from a royal but would not name them.
Mexico furious with countries restricting its imports alleging flu
Mexico says it has written to the World Trade Organization (WTO), demanding an explanation from countries which have restricted its imports over A/H1N1 flu.
Magallanes Region stocked for the event of a flu pandemic
Punta Arenas in the extreme south Magallanes Region of Chile has received several lots of seasonal flu vaccines which will be available in clinics and health centres as of tomorrow Wednesday announced local sanitary authorities.
Floating ice increasing risk for cruise vessels in Antarctica
New ice break-offs with dimensions that can’t be properly noticed on the sea surface could become a serious risk for Antarctic cruise vessels in the near future, --even when they are scientifically monitored--, according to Chilean glaciologist Ricardo Jaña from the Chilean Antarctic Institute.
Mexico announces reopening of schools, gradually returns to normality
Mexican officials lowered the influenza A (H1N1) virus alert level in the capital on Monday and said they will allow universities, cafes, museums and libraries to reopen this week, even as the number of confirmed cases topped 1,200 worldwide.
Spain complains about Gibraltar flag during G20 summit negotiations
Spain made a formal complaint to the United Kingdom and the United States over the manner in which the tax information agreement was signed on March 31 between Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Peter Caruana and United States Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner in London ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit.
EU “no longer in freefall” but 2010 modest recovery is still distant
The European Union is forecasted to contract 4% in 2009, which is double what was announced at the beginning of the year. Average unemployment is set to rise to 9.4% this year and could reach 10.9% in 2010, while government deficits inside the 27-member union will average 6% of GDP, twice the figure allowed for Euro area countries and used as a marker for the rest of the union.
