Stories for October 4th 2010
Penguin Appeal to help finance a census of Falkland Islands seabirds
Often described as the penguin capital of the world, the Falkland Islands will be undertaking a census of penguin breeding sites throughout the Islands. It will provide essential information on their breeding colonies to determine action for the future protection of the seabirds.
Zoellick calls for the reinstatement of emergency food aid program
World Bank president Robert Zoellick expressed concern about the renewed speculation with agriculture commodities which in the last months have seen prices of food in developing countries soar
World Bank sees “currency devaluations” tensions and “bubble” risks
World Bank President Robert Zoellick said he sees tensions arising from currency devaluations as nations seek to boost their economies, though he doesn’t expect them to turn into “wars.”
Uruguay’s debt/GDP ratio down after five quarters running increases
Uruguay’s gross public sector debt contracted in the second quarter of the year after five consecutive periods of sustained increase and now stands at 21.885 billion US dollars equivalent to 59.5% of GDP.
Lula da Silva’s candidate short of the 50%; Green party the king maker
Brazilian President Lula da Silva's chosen candidate to succeed him next year came out on top in Sunday’s vote but fell short of an outright win needed to avoid a runoff at the end of October. The big surprise was the Green Party’s Marina Silva and her 19%, which turns her into king-maker.
Vargas Llosa warns Venezuelan opposition “not to hail victory”
President Hugo Chavez defeat in the recent legislative elections is “more significant than what numbers indicate”, but the Venezuelan opposition must not hail victory or feel satisfied with such an excellent result, according to Mario Vargas Llosa.
Bolivia’s Morales accuses Washington of encouraging “failed coup in Ecuador”
Bolivian president Evo Morales said that during the current decade United States intervened in four attempted coups against democratic governments in Latin America, but was only able to win in Honduras.
Ecuadorean president backs off from dissolving Congress
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa has backed off the idea of dissolving Congress and ruling by decree and plans to revise an austerity law that triggered a bloody police revolt, a government minister said.
President Chavez announces nationalization of Lord Vestey’s farms, “now!”
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez announced Sunday the nationalization of farms and cattle herds belonging to the local affiliate of British tycoon Lord Vestey’s group which also had interests in several other South American countries linked to the meat industry.
Spain on the steps of the Argentine crisis of 2001, warns Stiglitz
Spain could face a crisis similar to that of Argentina back in 2001 because of its incapacity to create jobs and reduce the fiscal deficit, which makes it an easy prey for international speculators.
