Stories for October 3rd 2012
Australian Great Barrier Reef lost more than half its coral cover in last 27 years
The Australian Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half its coral cover in the past 27 years, a new study shows. Researchers analysed data on the condition of 217 individual reefs that make up the World Heritage Site.
Argentine navy frigate ‘Libertad’ retained in Ghana by group of defaulted bond holders
Argentina claimed on Wednesday that the navy school training frigate “Libertad” has been retained in Ghana and blamed “unscrupulous financers” belonging to “vulture funds” who are demanding the payment of sovereign bonds, said the office of Minister Hector Timerman in an official communiqué.
Shackleton Fund with new website; makes important Falklands’ announcements
The Shackleton Scholarship Fund which is closely linked to the South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands has announced the launch of their new website: www.shackletonfund.com.
Cosmo with no plans in Uruguay; Pluna Bombardiers will be chartered in East Europe
Spanish airline Cosmo which purchased in an auction in Montevideo seven aircraft from Uruguay’s liquidated flag-carrier Pluna said they will be used “to expand the charter flight business in Central and Eastern Europe”, according to an official company communiqué released by the Spanish government news agency EFE.
Out of the blue, Spanish charter company purchased Pluna’s seven Bombardier
Out of the blue a Spanish-based air charter company, Cosmo, and seven minutes after the auction had started purchased the seven Bombardier aircraft from Uruguay’s defunct flag carrier Pluna for the base price of 137 million dollars.
Brazilian Low-cost Gol airline purchases 60 Boeing 737 Max; 6bn dollars deal
US manufacturer Boeing announced this week it has sold 60 aircraft to Brazil’s Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, comprising the largest order ever from a single airline in South America. All 60 of the airplanes will be the 737 Max model, at a value of about 6 billion dollars at list price.
Industrial production picks up in August; stimuli seems to be working
Industrial production in Brazil expanded in August at its fastest pace in 15 months thanks to heavy government stimulus, data showed on Tuesday. Finance Minister Guido Mantega said the jump in industrial output is proof that the worst of Brazil's slowdown is over.
Lula da Silva trusted aides face overwhelming evidence of involvement in ‘active corruption’
The so called “trail of the century” in Brazil has already condemned 22 of the 37 culprits and on Wednesday is expected to peak when three former leaders of the ruling Workers’ Party are formally accused of having setup a network of bribes to ensure a majority in congress.
Despite Dilma, Lula and Cardoso, Sao Paulo city could end with an outsider as mayor
Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff joined her mentor Lula da Silva in a political rally in support of the Workers Party candidate for mayor of the city of Sao Paulo in next Sunday’s municipal elections when 140 million Brazilians are registered to vote.
Chile a country with a growing disappointed middle class, says Financial Times
The influential business newspaper Financial Times dedicated a special edition to the Chilean economic and social situation and concludes that given the massive demonstrations against energy projects and in favour of education reform, “doing business” in the country has become difficult plus there is growing disappointment in the middle class.
