Stories for February 17th 2010
Paraguay beef exports in January total 54.8 million US dollars
Chile, Russia, Vietnam and Israel were the main clients for Paraguayan beef and meat products during the month of January totalling 54.8 million US dollars, up 85% over the same month a year ago according to the latest data from the Livestock Health and Quality Service, Senacsa.
Greece defends controversial debt-swaps masterminded by Goldman Sachs
Greece has defended a controversial deal that may have masked the extent of its budget woes and has annoyed the European Union. The 2001 debt-swap deal with Goldman Sachs was legal under EU rules, Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou told the Greek parliament.
Chilean president-elect criticizes Castro and reaffirms support of Peru, Bolivia
Chile’s President-elect Sebastian Piñera affirmed that his government will strongly defend human rights once taking power on March 11 by giving much more attention to Cuba than did his predecessors from the centre-left Concertacion coalition.
Wind turbines to supply 40% of Falklands’ power
Annual wind power contribution in the Falkland Islands is set to rise to 40% of total energy generated with the installation of three new wind turbines, which started going online on 15 February. The installation of the first three wind turbines in 2007 has resulted in the displacement of 26% of annual fuel consumption and the aim with the three new turbines is to reach 40% fuel displacement.
UK unemployment 7.8%, but jobseekers allowance claimants set a new record
Unemployment in the UK fell at the end of last year but the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has now reached a record high, new figures show. The number of Britons out of work fell to by 3,000 to 2.46 million in the three months to December, leaving the unemployment rate at 7.8%.
Russia’s interests in Latinamerica are “purely commercial”
Russia has increased arms sales to Latin America but Moscow’s interests in the region are “purely commercial” said Russian Foreign Affairs minister Sergei Lavrov following talks with his Mexican counterpart, the last stop of a regional tour that included Cuba, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
Falklands drilling will go ahead despite Argentine shipping movement ‘decree’
DRILLING in Falklands waters will go ahead as planned despite an Argentine decree aimed at handicapping shipping movement between the Islands and South America. From London British Foreign and Commonwealth Minister Chris Bryant reiterated that “we have no doubt about our sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and we're clear that the Falkland Islands Government is entitled to develop a hydrocarbons industry within its waters”.
Mrs. Kirchner calls UN to force UK to Falklands’ sovereignty negotiations
Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner defended her decision to place stronger controls on navigation and shipping within the Falklands called on the United Nations to force the United Kingdom to come through on negotiations over the sovereignty of that territory.
Seventy journalists killed in 2009, the worst in thirty years, says CJP
Seventy journalists were killed in 2009, making it the worst year since records began 30 years ago, the Committee to Protect Journalists says. A massacre of 31 journalists in the Philippines broke the old record of 67 deaths, set only in 2007.
Power strapped Venezuela rejects Colombian supply offer
President Hugo Chavez's government said it is not interested in buying electricity from neighbouring Colombia despite Venezuela's struggles with severe energy shortages.
