Stories for May 22nd 2012
Piñera admits mistakes in presidential speech but falls short of expectations on education
Chilean leader Sebastián Piñera delivered on Monday his “Presidential Message” at the National Congress in Valparaiso amidst the lowest approval ratings of his presidential career and the shouts of an estimated 8.000 protesters gathering just blocks away.
NATO aggress to leave Afghanistan end of 2014: what happens later is anybody’s guess
NATO leaders sealed a landmark agreement to hand control of Afghanistan over to its own security forces by the middle of next year, putting the Western alliance on an “irreversible” path out of an unpopular, decade-long war.
OECD anticipated end to weak growth in Brazil but warns about inflation
Weak growth in Brazil seems to be coming to an end, but there are still looming risks in the shape of inflation, credit risk and competitiveness, according to the latest outlook published by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, on Tuesday.
Women commanders take over HMS Portland and Patrol Boat Squadron
Two Royal Navy commanders have accomplished two major achievements: Commander Sarah West, aged 40, joins Type 23 frigate HMS Portland in Rosyth on Tuesday becoming the first woman in the Royal Navy's history to be selected to command a major warship.
US and Japan leading economic recovery but still fragile says latest OECD report
The United States and Japan are leading a fragile economic recovery among developed countries that could yet be blown off course if the Euro zone fails to contain its flaring growth crisis, the OECD said on Tuesday.
Royal Navy says HMS Talent reports are “mere media speculations”
Royal Navy Commander Mark Southorn said on Tuesday that news informing of the sending of the HMS Talent nuke submarine to the Falkland Islands are “mere media speculations”.
Minister Browne and Gibraltar’s Bossano will attend Falklands’ Liberation Day June 14
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne is scheduled to attend the Falkland Islands Liberation ceremony on June 14 in Stanley to mark the 30th anniversary of the recovery of the Islands from invading Argentine forces.
Antarctica tourism rapidly adapting to new environment-friendly rules
An expanded Executive Committee and reorganized Secretariat, new rules of procedure for compliance and dispute resolution issues, and a Marine Committee Safety Advisory were just some of the actions and decisions adopted by Members at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), held in Providence, Rhode Island earlier this month.
Argentina proposal to increase Mercosur common external tariff from 22% to 35%
Argentina is planning to propose its fellow Mercosur members to increase the common external tariff, CET from the current 22% to 35%, when they meet at the next summit in Mendoza. Argentina currently holds the pro tempore chair of the group and at the coming summit the helm will be transferred to Brazil.
Exports of heifers booming as China build ‘factory-modelled” dairy farms
Agribusiness company Elders says it can't get enough dairy heifers from Australia to supply China's growing demand and for the second consecutive year, a record shipment of 100,000 cattle will sail from dairies in Australia, New Zealand and Uruguay.
