Stories for January 28th 2010
Bill Clinton asks Davos forum for money and distribution trucks
Former US President Bill Clinton appealed for global business leaders to help Haiti rebuild after the earthquake which devastated its coastal capital and killed as many as 200,000 people.
Chilean peso slumps on poor economic data and China: 530 to the US dollar
The Chilean peso fell for a ninth day running, its longest losing streak in 15 months, as December industrial sales and production data came in below forecasts and bearish prospects for the country’s main export, copper given China’s strong liquidity and credit restrictions.
Ford post full-year earnings for the first time since 2005
Ford Motor Co posted 2009 earnings of 2.7 billion USD, its first full-year profit since 2005, and said it expected a 2010 profit amid market share gains and a slow US auto sales recovery.
Cambio? The Obama Administration in Latin America: A Disappointing Year in Perspective
In a memorandum written as Barack Obama assumed office in January 2009 COHA’s Research Fellows Guy Hursthouse and Tomás Ayuso considered widespread Latin American expectations of a dramatic shift in approach from Washington under the new president, and outlined an agenda for change aimed at achieving those hopes as the result of a bold new direction for U.S. relations with the region. A year later, they offer their evaluation of developments to date and conclude that a clear and meaningful program of change has failed to materialize under Obama, his Secretary of State, and the leadership team to which he has looked for drafting his regional agendas. At best, their fractured approach to Latin American issues has delivered mixed results. Looking ahead, the authors ask, despite the continued backing Obama continues to enjoy from a resilient public that still refuses give up on him, can we expect the president’s second year in office to deliver that coherent mixture of realism and idealism which has up to now proved elusive?
Tough year ahead for Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is facing a tough 2010 with growing complaints over shortages of electricity and water and a sharp currency devaluation that could harm the chances of his supporters in congressional elections in September.
Canada confident of its oil potential development in spite of Venezuela
An assessment that Venezuela sits on one of the largest oil fields on record does not threaten the potential of Canadian reserve development, analysts said.
Obama promises jobs and admits a “deficit of trust” by the US people
US president Barack Obama promised to make job creation his top priority as he made his first State of the Union address. Obama forecast the creation of 1.5 million jobs through the 'stimulus bill' in the nationally televised speech Wednesday evening to a joint session of Congress.
Tourism Law Aims To Professionalize Chile’s Industry
A new tourism law passed by the Chilean Congress earlier this month is set to change the face of Chile’s tourist industry by setting standards for operators and guides.
Honduras Lobo moving “in the right direction”, but no US aid restoration yet
Newly-inaugurated Honduran President Porfirio Lobo is taking his country “in the right direction,” but the United States has not decided whether to restore aid to Honduras, said Arturo Valenzuela, US assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs.
NASA surveillance flights to anticipate quakes in Haiti
US space agency NASA will send surveillance flights over Haiti and the Dominican Republic to look for signs that more earthquakes may hit the area after a giant quake that killed as many as 200,000 people two weeks ago.
