Stories for March 2010
Mrs. Kirchner vows to lead “profound, cultural, diplomatic battle” to regain Malvinas
Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner at the opening Tuesday of a photographic exhibition honouring the Malvinas women vowed before to lead “a profound, cultural, diplomatic and political battle on every front,” and to make use of “every resource made available by international law to regain the Malvinas Islands sovereignty.”
Chavez announces the discovery of a “super well” of natural gas
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced the discovery of a “super well” that shows an offshore field holds almost twice as much natural gas as originally estimated.
Argentine dockworkers strike expands; 5.000 trucks waiting to unload
Argentine dockworkers expanded the strike to eight terminals, mainly in the Greater Rosario port area, the heart of the country’s soy bean belt, demanding higher pay and improved working conditions. The conflict comes when Argentina, the world’s third exporter of the oil seed prepares to ship the latest crop.
Bolivia’s Morales expects to consolidate provincial power in Sunday’s election
Bolivia is in the last leg ahead of next Sunday’s governor election when president Evo Morales expects his party to keep control over seven of the nine provinces in dispute while the opposition will try to gain lost ground in recent votes.
Ideologue of “Chavez revolution” abandons “petty Bolivarian bourgeois” party
Venezuelan retired General Alberto Müller Rojas considered one of the ideologists of President Hugo Chavez “revolution” announced he was retiring from politics because the current Venezuelan “revolutionary process” is in a dreadful state.
Rio Tinto executives sentenced to lengthy jail terms for bribery by Chinese court
Four Rio Tinto executives have been found guilty of bribery and stealing secrets by a Chinese court and have all been handed lengthy jail terms. Australian Stern Hu was handed a 10-year sentence. Wang Yong was given 14 years, Liu Caikui seven years and Ge Minqiang eight years.
Lula da Silva unveils massive four year infrastructure program
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced Monday an 886 billion US dollars infrastructure investment plan that would be carried out by his chosen successor, Cabinet Chief Dilma Rousseff, should she win the October presidential election.
Aftermath of scandal: strict expenses rules and safeguards for British MPs
British Members of Parliament will not be allowed to buy taxpayer-funded second homes under new expenses rules after the election. Those with seats at least 20 miles or an hour from Westminster will be able to claim rent up to £1,450 a month - equivalent to a one-bed flat.
Relief in European Union: Greece manages to take 5 billion Euros in 7 year bonds
Greece on Monday took five billion Euros with a seven-year bond just days after being given a lifeline by the European Union to help resolve its unprecedented debt crisis but analysts noted timid demand for the offer.
US Treasury planning to sell 27% stake in Citigroup during 2010
Citigroup Inc.’s largest shareholder, the US Treasury Department, is planning to sell its 27% stake this year in what could become the biggest profit for the bank-bailout program.
