Stories for May 2009

Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:37 UTC
Worst annual loss for world’s biggest carmaker

Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, has made its worst annual loss as the global economic downturn has hit demand for its vehicles. The Japanese company said it made a net loss equivalent to 4.4 billon US dollars in the year to 31 March, compared with a record profit the year before. Toyota said it expected to make a bigger loss in this financial year.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:30 UTC
Uruguay imposes sanitary controls at Argentina and Brazil borders

Uruguay extended sanitary controls to borders with Argentina and Brazil following the confirmation of several cases of the influenza A/H1N1 in its neighbouring countries, the first to be reported in Mercosur.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:29 UTC
Brazilian Senate leader reiterates opposition to Venezuela in Mercosur

Former Brazilian president Jose Sarney and currently head of the federal Senate, reiterated his opposition to Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur because of differences over interpretations of democratic governance with the regime of President Hugo Chavez.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:24 UTC
Brazil and Paraguay could only agree on a new summit in June

Brazil and Paraguay failed to come to an agreement on proposed renegotiation of accords related to the Itaipu hydroelectric facility and are scheduled to meet again in early June, according to Paraguay’s Executive spokesperson Ruben Penayo.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 07:22 UTC
Bank of the South takes off with 7 billion USD initial capital

Finance ministers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela reached Friday in Buenos Aires the definitive agreement for the launching of the Bank of the South, a multilateral organization to help fund development and infrastructure projects.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 06:34 UTC
April car sales in Brazil fall 13.7% from the previous month

Automobile sales in Brazil fell 13.7% in April from the previous month as consumer demand waned after four straight months of gains, the national automakers' association Anfavea said on Friday. Sales also fell 10.3% from April 2008 to 234.400 and automobile output dropped 6.9% month-on-month in April and was down 15.8% from a year earlier to 254.700 units.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 01:34 UTC
FAO proposals to tackle abandoned fishing gear lost at sea

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO and the UN Environment Program, UNEP have made a number or recommendations for tackling the problem of abandoned fishing gear lost at sea and which are severely hurting the marine environment.
Saturday, May 9th 2009 - 01:20 UTC
Oil companies’ delegation visits Falklands in anticipation of drilling

Representatives of oil companies intending to drill in North and South basins around the Falkland Islands say they are, “…as confident as they can be in an exploration setting,” that they will be successful in their endeavour to recover oil in commercial quantities.
Friday, May 8th 2009 - 11:03 UTC
Dismal Ilex Season in Falklands; All Jiggers Leave Zone

Weekly Penguin News Update. Headlines: Fun trials create new challenges; Dismal Ilex season; Firearm stolen from vehicle at Goose Green; BFBS 3 will be available to Falkland’s viewer; Swine flu pandemic is less likely.
Friday, May 8th 2009 - 10:59 UTC
Lula da Silva and Lugo suspend signing of bilateral agreements

Visiting Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo and his counterpart host Brazil’s Lula da Silva ended Thursday evening their first private meeting with out any statements or having signed several bilateral agreements which were ready to be stamped.