Stories for December 30th 2009
Ronaldo the most profitable player in Real Madrid’s history
The Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo purchased for the record sum of 94 million Euros is proving to be the most profitable player in Real Madrid’s history, generating as much as 80 million Euros annually in publicity revenue, according to the Spanish press.
When Japan assigned 20 “karate-ladies” to protect Margaret Thatcher
Japan was asked not to greet Britain's first female prime minister with a security escort of 20 “karate ladies”, newly-released British government papers show. Margaret Thatcher visited Tokyo for an economic summit in June 1979 - a month after winning the general election.
Spain names first director for the Instituto Cervantes in Gibraltar
Francisco Oda-Angel, the former director of the Instituto Transfronterizo will be officially assuming his post as the first director of the Gibraltar branch of the Instituto Cervantes (equivalent of the British Council) as from January 1st 2010, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Colombia disavows any “aggressive” mention towards Venezuela
In the midst of an escalating diplomatic clash with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, Colombian president Alvaro Uribe said he disavows any aggressive international speech towards Venezuela.
Sub zero temperatures across Britain will welcome the New Year
Revellers are gearing up to give a warm welcome to 2010 even though sub-zero temperatures are expected across Britain. Final preparations are being made for huge fireworks displays to usher in the New Year in London and Glasgow.
IDB record loan approvals but needs capital increase by 2011
The Inter-American Development Bank set record levels of loan approvals and disbursements in 2009, playing a counter-cyclical role by providing financing to Latin American and Caribbean countries in the face of the global economic crisis.
Amsterdam airport to install full-body scanners for flights to US
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport will begin using full-body scanners within three weeks to scan people travelling to the United States after consultations with US authorities, the Dutch interior minister said on Wednesday.
Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation will help “dilute Brazilian hegemony”
The incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur will help dilute the Brazil-Argentina hegemony and will be beneficial for small countries said Paraguay’s Foreign Affairs minister Héctor Lacognata on Wednesday chatting with foreign correspondents.
Scientific warning that Argentina’s hake TAC “high risk scenario”
Measures recently adopted by the Argentina’s Fisheries Federal Council regarding hake TACs imply very high risks for sustainability and, therefore, to the continuity of related economic activities throughout the country, claims the Centre for Development and Sustainable Fisheries (CeDePesca).
Uruguay’s outgoing and incoming administrations agree on transition process
The Uruguayan government begun Tuesday the formal transition process during a ceremony attended by President Tabare Vazquez, president elect Jose Mujica and most of the cabinet of the administration that will be officially inaugurated next March first.
