Stories for August 8th 2009
Obama denies the US plans to set military bases in Colombia
President Barack Obama joined Friday a controversy boiling in South America by denying the United States is planning to set up military bases in Colombia as part of an upgraded security agreement with Bogotá. “There have been those in the region who have been trying to play this up as part of a traditional anti-Yankee rhetoric. This is not accurate,” Obama told Hispanic media reporters.
Uruguay’s flag carrier plans to fly Santiago de Chile/Punta Arenas
A third operator could be joining Lan and Sky Airline in cargo and passenger traffic between Santiago de Chile and Punta Arenas, according to an official request presented before Chile’s Civil Aeronautics Agency last July 24, reports La Prensa Austral.
Unasur summit to address the Colombia-US forces controversy
The Union of South American Nations, UNASUR will debate the creation of four ministerial councils on narcotics-traffic, infrastructure, culture and education and social development during the summit hosted by Ecuador which begins next Monday.
Brazil and Peru considering building five hydroelectric dams
Brazil and Peru are considering five hydroelectric projects that would cost as much as 15 billion US dollars, revealed Brazilian Energy Minister Edison Lobao.
Prostitution ring recruited 15-year old girls at school doors
A Brazilian woman accused of heading a prostitution ring that recruited only 15-year-old and younger girls which were later distributed around the country has been detained by the police of Brazil.
“We are a bunch of crooks, with no credibility” admits Brazilian senator
“We are but a bunch of crooks that have lost all credibility with our citizens” following months of claims of corruption practices in the Upper House, said Brazilian Senator Demostenes Torres during a rowdy congressional debate.
US job losses soften and fall to 9.4%, first drop since April 2008
The United States economy lost 247,000 jobs in July, far fewer than analysts had expected, official figures show. With fewer workers being laid off, the unemployment rate fell to 9.4%, down from 9.5% in the previous month, the first drop since April 2008.
UK reasserts authority over Gibraltar’s waters
Defra, the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has reasserted UK’s authority over Gibraltar waters and objects to Spain’s designation. The statement of position comes as the Foreign Office is expected to announce its position in relation to Gibraltar’s lawsuit against the European Commission in this respect.
