Stories for October 14th 2009
Teamsters strike “strangling” Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile is beginning to suffer shortages of some basic goods, including fuel, as a direct consequence of a several-days’ teamsters’ strike which has virtually isolated the city by land.
Former Brazilian guerrilla involved in kidnap of ambassador extended US visa
A former Brazilian guerrilla who in 1969 was involved in the abduction of US ambassador Charles Elbrick has been extended a visa to travel to United States by the consulate office in Sao Paulo.
UK unemployment predicted to continue soaring over 3 million
United Kingdom unemployment is still on course to soar above three million despite better-than-expected jobless figures, experts have warned. Official data showed unemployment rising to 2.47 million in the three months to August, an increase of 88,000 on the quarter to May
China’s reserves reach 2.273 trillion USD, including 800 billion US bonds
China’s foreign-exchange reserves, the world’s biggest, climbed about 141 billion US dollars in the third quarter to a record 2.273 trillion USD, the People’s Bank of China said Wednesday on its Web site.
Tag system implemented in Santiago’s airport toll way
The Chilean TAG service (an electronic toll road payment system) has been implemented in Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez airport in the Pudahuel borough, thus making it easier to enter and leave the international airport.
Access to broadband connection becomes a right of citizens
As of next July 2010, access to a 1 Megabit-per-second broadband connection becomes a right for all Finnish citizens according to a decree from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
Latinamerican banks sound and safe, according to S&P ratings
Latinamerican banks will see second quarter gains despite the economic crisis due to a greater dependency on deposits rather than loans, Standard & Poor's ratings agency said.
Majority of young Argentines consider Malvinas a “national cause”
Eight out of ten Argentines believes that the British presence in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands is a violation of Argentine sovereignty, although a significant percentage is willing to consider the possibility or shared sovereignty, according to the latest survey to be released in Buenos Aires.
Montevideo port becomes most advanced container terminal in South America
Uruguay inaugurated this week the new Montevideo’s port facilities which will expand handling to over 1.1 million containers annually making it the most advanced terminal of South America.
OPEC optimistic about global recovery anticipates stronger demand for oil
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has predicted for next year an increase in global demand for oil driven by a global economic recovery. The 12-nation cartel said in its latest monthly report that 2010 world demand for crude would be 84.93 million barrels per day for an increase of 0.83%.
