Stories for October 7th 2009
IAATO members’ passenger ships will be fitted with satellite tracking devices
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has approved a resolution requiring members' passenger ships to be fitted with satellite tracking devices based on Iridium (Iridium Communications Inc.). The devices will report ships' positions at least once per hour when cruising in Antarctic waters.
Ex Argentine president de la Rúa admits is was a mistake to resign in 2001
Argentina’s ex-president Fernando de la Rúa admitted he made a mistake when he resigned to the presidency amid growing social unrest in 2001. On Wednesday De la Rúa was questioned in court over the killings which occurred during those hectic days in December 2001.
Spanish Central bank warns about bulging budget deficit and unemployment
Controversy sparked between Spain’s government and the governor of the Central Bank over the magnitude of the budget deficit and rising unemployment which threatens loans and consumers’ repayments plus the stability of some Spanish banks.
Santander Brazil successfully completes biggest share offering
The Brazilian unit of Spanish banking giant Santander has raised 14.1 billion Reais, approximately 8.1 billion US dollars) in the country's biggest share offering.
Ex UK Army chief critical of Afghanistan policy to join Tories
David Cameron is to unveil ex-army chief General Sir Richard Dannatt as the latest recruit to his team. Sir Richard - who has been embroiled in a bitter row with Downing Street over troop levels in Afghanistan - is expected to become an adviser to the party on defence issues.
Carrefour denies considering exiting Latinamerican “lucrative markets”
French retailer Carrefour is seriously considering exiting Latin America, one of its most lucrative markets, under pressure from top shareholders, Le Monde newspaper reported in a preview of its Thursday edition.
Argentina discussing details of IMF technical mission visit to the country
Following his forty minutes Tuesday meeting with IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Argentine Economy Minister Amado Boudou said that ”the new relationship (Argentina is) building with the IMF is purely technical and numbers-related, but by no means does it mean an interference with Argentine policy.”
Prospects of another record grains crop for Brazil: 141.1 million tons
Brazil expects the coming 2009/2010 grains crop to reach 141.1 million tons, which represents an increase in the range of 2.9% to 4.8% over the 2008/09 record harvest of 135.16 million tons, according to the country’s National Supply Corportion, Conab.
What Happened to Argentina? NY Times
(*) A century ago, there were only seven countries in the world that were more prosperous than Argentina (Belgium, Switzerland, Britain and four former English colonies including the United States), according to Angus Maddison’s historic income database.
Late bookings are making Gibraltar cruise season unexpected success
The cruise sector in Europe seems to have shrugged off the economic crisis and Gibraltar, in common with many key Mediterranean passenger ports, is reaping the benefit, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Rare vintage photo of first expedition to reach the South Pole
The only known vintage print of the first expedition to reach the South Pole has been uncovered at the National Library of Australia. The small brown photograph shows Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's arrival at the pole in 1911.
Peru’s Machu Picchu among list of world cultural sites threatened
Peru's Machu Picchu ancient ruins, Antoni Gaudi's Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona and a New Orleans elementary school are among the cultural heritage sites threatened by neglect or overdevelopment, a preservationist group said.
Uruguayan economy set to grow 0.6% this year and 3.5% in 2010, says IMF
Uruguay’s economy is set to grow 0.6% this year and 3.5% in 2010 according to the latest estimates from the International Monetary Fund. This means Uruguay together with Peru will be the only two countries in South America that will expand in 2009. The previous IMF forecast was 1.3% and 2%.
NASA Operation Ice Bridge takes off from Punta Arenas
Starting next Monday and operating from Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile NASA will fly its largest aircraft, --a DC-8, a 157-foot-long airborne laboratory-- to study changes in Antarctica’s sea ice, ice sheets and glaciers as part of its Operation Ice Bridge.
UV alert in Punta Arenas as ozone-hole advances to the continent
Magallanes University Ozone Monitoring Laboratory has detected for the second time this year a considerable advance of the Antarctic Ozone Hole over this region in the extreme south of Chile.
