Stories for April 27th 2010
“Boobquake” Day Shakes Taiwan and South Sandwich Islands
If a senior Iranian cleric is to be believed, the 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan was a boobquake, not an earthquake. Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi warned last week that “women, who do not dress modestly... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which [consequently] increases earthquakes”.
Paraguayan Press Blasts 37 Anniversary of Brazilian “Imperial Itaipú Treaty”
Paraguay’s president Fernando Lugo said he is looking forward to the coming meeting next May 3 with his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva because he would be coming back with “good news” referred to the shared power from Itaipu, the world’s second largest hydroelectric dam belonging to both countries.
Chilean Conservation Groups Reject Whaling Commission Latest Proposals
A new proposal announced last week by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) would allow the killing of a number of whales in the Antarctic Ocean off the coast of Chile and has Chilean environmental groups upset.
US Senate Claims Goldman Sachs Knowingly Profited from Mortgage Collapse
The chairman of an inquiry into the causes of United States' financial meltdown has attacked the role of Goldman Sachs. Senator Carl Levin spoke of the reckless greed that infected Wall Street's financial community.
IMF Warns Latam “Cheap and Abundant Credit” Rises Risk of Boom-Bust Cycle
Latin American economies as a whole are recovering nicely from the global economic downturn but “cheap and abundant external finances raise the risk of a boom-bust cycle”, said Nicolas Eyzaguirre, IMF Western Hemisphere Department Director.
Canadian Fund Invests in Uruguay’s Flagship Carrier PLUNA
Jazz Air Income Fund has agreed to invest 15 million US dollars for an indirect stake in Uruguay's flagship carrier, Pluna. The fund behind Air Canada's regional affiliate, Jazz Air, said that it will get a one-third, non-voting interest in Latin American Regional Aviation Holding Corp., which owns 75% of Pluna Lineas Aireas Uruguayas. The remaining 25% of Pluna is held by the government of Uruguay.
Electoral Reform Shapes as Key Issue for Next UK Government
Electoral reform is shaping up as the key issue in determining what sort of government would emerge in the UK if the May 6 General Election results in a hung Parliament. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg indicated that a deal on proportional representation would be essential to any pact if his party holds the balance of power, describing it as an “absolute pre-condition” for renewal of Britain.
P&O Azura Calls in Gibraltar on its Maiden Voyage
The newest addition to the P&O fleet the magnificent Azura sailed into Gibraltar on Sunday. The 289.60 meter vessel with 17 decks high, carrying 2.816 passengers and 1.241 crew members arrived in port at 12:30hrs reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.
UK Think Tank Warns About Drastic Spending Cuts After Election Day
All three British major political parties are failing to come clean on spending cuts that will need to be at least as deep as the 1970s, a leading think tank warned Tuesday. Repairing the public finances will be the 'defining domestic policy task of the next government', the Institute for Fiscal Studies said at a special election briefing.
IATA Praises European Relief Measures for Airlines Affected by Volcanic Ash Plume
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) openly supported the announcement by the European Commission of a comprehensive program to provide relief to the air transport sector in the aftermath of extra-ordinary airspace closures resulting from the ash plume of an Icelandic volcano.
