Stories for February 2008

Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
UK unveils new plan for foreigners to “earn” nationality

Details of a new deal for foreigners who want to take British citizenship are being announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. A Green Paper will propose that people who want to take UK nationality will have to prove a number of new requirements, and “earn” their citizenship.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay's energy situation “delicate but not critical”

Uruguay's energy situation is “delicate, but not critical”, however demand is higher than estimated and water reserves although sufficient are not being replenished as would be desirable admitted the country's head of the government owned electricity corporation.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Raul Castro asks Lula da Silva help with transition process

Cuba's interim president Raul Castro requested advise and help from Brazil's Luis Inacio Lula da Silva “to accelerate the political and economic transition process” in the island according to Wednesday edition of the prestigious Folha de Sao Paulo.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
OECD GDP growth slips from 0.9% to 0.5% in last quarter

Global economic growth is going to be lower than the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) and many other forecasting organizations were predicting just a few months ago, OECD chief Angel Gurria said on Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Whiffs of global economic slowdown reach Latinamerica

The Latinamerica economic climate dropped to its lowest level since July 2005 because of the United States mortgage and banking situation according to the joint indicator from the University of Munich Economics Research Institute, Ifo and the Getulio Vargas Foundation from Brazil, FGV.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Computers stolen from Petrobras had “state secrets”

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the computers and hard drives stolen from the state oil company Petrobras last month contained information considered a “state secret”.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil and Argentina considering joint arms manufacturing

Brazil and Argentina are considering the joint manufacturing of different types of arms both for regional defense and for export, according to the Buenos Aires press. Next Friday Brazilian president Lula da Silva will make an official visit to Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and one of the several accords to be signed refers to the “production for defense”.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
German Chancellor Merkel first visit to Latam next May

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Monday her first visit to the Latin American continent since taking office in 2005. Ms Merkel is scheduled to participate in the European Union-Latinamerica leaders' summit scheduled for next May in Lima, Peru.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Spanish Agriculture and Fisheries minister visits Uruguay

Spain is interested in further promoting its fishing fleet in the South Atlantic using Montevideo as an operational port for the area, said Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA), Elena Espinosa during her visit to Uruguay.
Tuesday, February 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Insufficient gas and brownouts could hit Brazil and Argentina

Brazil reiterated it does not have the capacity to give up a percentage of the contracted Bolivian gas provision thus helping to improve the Argentine energy situation.