Stories for December 21st 2009
Uruguay’s president-elect expected to announce ministerial cabinet this week
Uruguay’s president elect Jose Mujica is expected to announce this week the ministerial cabinet that will be working with him when he takes office next March first, according to sources from his headquarters.
Colombia beefs up Venezuelan border with airborne battalions
The Colombian government has announced it is building a new military base on its border with Venezuela and has activated six new airborne battalions. Relations between the two nations are at a historic low with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez already telling his generals to prepare for war.
He moved 15,000 more troops up to the border, accusing Colombia and its ally, the US, of planning an attack.
Scotland demand full investigation into collapse of Flyglobespan airline
Scotland's finance secretary has called for a full investigation into the collapse of the Flyglobespan airline, which also had a contract with the British Ministry of Defence for the air link Brize Norton, MPA in the Falkland Islands.
British MoD row over Ascension Islands reached the London press
The military outpost of Ascension Island “vital to the protection of the Falkland Islands” is at the centre of a row over tax bills unpaid by the Ministry of Defence, according to an article on Sunday’s edition of the Daily Express.
Brazilean industry to manufacture 2.044 armoured vehicles for the Army
The Brazilian Army and Fiat Iveco signed an agreement for the manufacturing or 2.044 armoured vehicles involving 3.5 billion US dollars as part of the new National Defence Strategy launched by the administration of President Lula da Silva.
Renovation year for Bolivian Armed Forces
Bolivia’s Armed forces expect next year to renew their military hardware and “store away all the junk”, but also called on neighbouring countries “not to fear” Bolivian plans.
Mercosur: Chavez sends “peace” message to Paraguayan Senate
President Hugo Chavez said he was hopeful the Paraguayan congress would vote for Venezuela to join Mercosur since Paraguay is one of the countires to “most benefit” from such an incorporation.
Greece on its own: no bail out from the European central bank
Two leading Greek banks, Eurobank and Alphabank, have had their credit ratings downgraded by ratings agency Standard and Poor's while the European Central Bank said there will be no bail out for debt-stricken member states.
Beijing has over 4 million cars registered (2 million in 2003)
China’s capital Beijing registry has reached 4,001,426 vehicles and 5,679,000 drivers, according to a release from the municipal government. The number of vehicles and drivers jumped 497,000 and 536,000 respectively in the last twelve months.
